When the Sun enters tropical Leo at 5:41 pm EDT today, it will have plenty of company. The company the Sun keeps today is an auspicious indication that you are not alone in what you experience. Yet, there is also a caution to be conscious of the quality of company you keep when the Sun comes home.
Leo is ruled by the Sun. Hence the solar and all it represents are most strongly expressed at this time of year, both in actual and symbolic ways.
In much of the Northern Hemisphere, solar Leo heralds the onset of what the ancients called “first harvest.” In temperate zones below the equator, there is plenty of company in abundance as a complementary season of planting, sprouting and/or flowering commence in full swing.
Symbolically, the four weeks to follow represent a time when the Sun’s emblem of consciousness itself is more than ever the inner equivalent of day and light. You are now entering a period when self-awareness in the company of others may be qualitatively and advantageously distinguished from solitary self-involvement.
There is gratitude to be felt and returned for the next month or so as well, even if you have recently experienced trial, loss or sorrow. What the Sun immediately meets when coming home to Leo will indicate what you may find reason to be grateful for, and also what to be cautious of.
Upon ingress to Leo, the symbolic Sun will immediately conjoin several objects of implicit meaning and one calculated point of timely significance.
The calculated point waiting just inside Leo’s door to greet the master of the house will be the osculating lunar apogee (otherwise known as Black Moon Lilith’s true position in the moment).
The objects in question are the asteroid 2878 Panacea, a newly named centaur (346889 Rhiphonos), and the grandest object in the solar system outside of the Sun — Jupiter, which preceded the Sun into Leo only days ago.
Appropriately, the actual position of Panacea, Rhiphonos and Jupiter can all be said to be outside the Sun from our perspective here on Earth in that their longitudinal position is currently on the other side of the Sun (which is the reason you have not seen Jupiter in the sky lately).
Hence, all three objects in solar conjunction at the beginning of solar Leo will take the meaning of a conjunction (as a merger of energies) to a new level by essentially expressing through the Sun.
That’s how today’s solar entrance into Leo may be distinguished as representing the Sun (and implicitly your conscious self) having plenty of company — potentially good company if Panacea is any indicator.
Like nearly all asteroids (especially those in the main belt, orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter), Panacea’s name speaks volumes. As with most things astrological, there are at least two volumes. There is the volume of promise, and that of reality, both of which are pretty good reading.
Named after the ancient Greek goddess of universal remedy, Panacea’s promise of same has never been realized by science. Very real panaceas are nonetheless quite often found through the simple virtues of laughter, love, support and nourishment, which usually accrue as a benefit of having plenty of good company.
Interestingly, the centaur object Rhiphonos was named after a mythical character who had plenty of company. As part of of a team of 12 sprites sent by Zeus (or Jupiter) to protect the infant Dionysus, Riphonos and the other 11 sprites were changed into a team of centaurs by Hera (or Juno), and later served to pull the chariot Dionysus got around in.
Perhaps indicatively, the asteroids named after Juno and Dionysus are now keeping each other company, conjunct to the degree at 20+ Gemini today. Who knows, maybe they made up, just as you may know a couple of people who have responded to the tenor of our times by letting bygones be bygones. It’s also possible Juno and Dionysus are just introducing us to a new acquaintance.
Discovered less than five years ago (August 28, 2009) and named almost exactly one year ago, Rhiphonos is a new acquaintance for astrology. We may begin to know it, however, by the company it keeps. Like other centaur objects, Rhiphonos crosses the orbits of major planets (as a matter of fact, closely emulating Chiron by crossing Saturn’s path and approaching that of Uranus), essentially serving to network those who might never otherwise keep each other’s company.
Hence, as you get to know new acquaintances in the weeks to come, let them introduce you as you were introduced to them, thereby expanding the company you keep.
When it comes to expansion, of course, nothing beats Jupiter. When expressed through the Sun while also in conjunction with Panacea and Rhiphonos, Jupiter implicitly speaks of expanding your consciousness through the company you keep.
Of course, the company you keep can also conceivably lead you astray. That’s where the osculating lunar apogee (or Black Moon Lilith) comes in.
Representing the farthest point at any given moment in the Moon’s constantly fluctuating orbit around Earth, the osculating lunar apogee’s more personal name recalls a mythical figure who knew when to part with the company she kept.
It was through Lilith’s conscious self-awareness that she could take responsibility for and act in integrity with the only thing that keeps you (or any of us) in good company: conscience.
When you look around your life, and at recent events in the world, much of what trial, loss and sorrow there is has very possibly been brought on by those who, for whatever reason, keep bad company.
So, as the Sun works its way into Leo after a distinguished start, please remember it’s not the quantity of the company you keep, it’s the quality that matters most of all.
Because eventually, just like the Sun today, the company you keep will be expressed through you. That’s an important thing to think about when the Sun enters its dominion as it probably never has before, and possibly never will again.
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talk about the quality of the company I keep — you all — aword, be, green-star-gazer, chief nowats son, p.sofia, len — I am proud and humbled by your company … ALL. Thank you, Len, you provide such a hand-up to the next thing. I bow deeply.
mm.
Green-Star-gazer, Ms. Moreno, be, aword, marymack (All!): Thank you. i’m in awe. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you even more for how you extended on, broadened from, and deepened the blog theme with such amazing contributions. Saturn and Uranus may be inconjunct, but all of you have it together in such an inspiring way!
omgee-be! that is a wonderful reply to my query. I will have to read and re-read in order to take it all in, but I wanted to quickly say thank you for the edification. I am humbled and happy with so much to consider … let me say this, also, I believe I tend to not go for the “quincunx” as the words looks too other-worldly and sure to mispronounce. The little dotted green line in my online software suggested inconjunct exactly … and I wondered if indeed this is manifested within me as a tendency to be all kinds of Uranus (freaky and unreliable, with bouts of good stuff here and there) at the cost of my Saturn-side. As my Saturn is ontop of my Moon in Scorpio, square my Aquarius Sun/Merc and Ascending, I believe I have yet to appreciate the task-master within. In other words, Daddy’s a meanie and a bore.
So, I’m searching within myself for signs of Saturn and Uranus integration that may indeed be a sign of maturity and noticing a preference for all things Uranus. Perhaps this long transiting quincunx will result in my (and other Aqua’s) pulling it all together as needs be. 🙂
mm.
marymack, yes, the inconjunct is the same thing as the quincunx. Several other aspects have more than one name and I suspect, in most cases, the first one you learn/read/hear is the one that sticks with you. I also would imagine that mom and pop “debating” is probably a good example of the quincunx/inconjunct energy expressing itself. Thanks for that image!
I have been a bit obsessed by this particular aspect between Uranus and Saturn, first because it has lasted so long. Transits being a transiting thing, it is unusual to have them in place for months so I get the impression that we human astrology lovers are supposed to notice things like that. I started dissecting and deducing (natal Mercury-Pluto conjunction) and this time, my first indication for understanding this mom vs. pop debate was that Saturn was the old ruler of Aquarius all by himself – before anyone even knew there was a Uranus. Once we (humans, astrologers, astronomers) DID know there was a Uranus planet, things started changing – especially in the worlds of science and electronics and invention. Don’t know how, why or when but (some) astrologers decided that (because those categories all come under the fields related to Aquarius) Uranus was to be considered the new ruler of that sign.
Many astrologers give Aquarius dual rulers, which seems to work since some situations involving Aquarius planets indicate Saturn-style situations and others lean toward expressing the Uranian energy. Sometimes even both sides (my mom was an Aquarian!) show up at the same time. Because the rulers of a sign affect the sign itself, ie. if a sign’s ruler is being squared by another planet, the sign ruled and any planets in that sign (like a natal Sun for example) will then experience the challenge in ways described by whichever planet is doing the squaring to the ruler planet and from where.
What signs the challenger and ruler are in also figure into the way it is experienced by the Aquarian planet(s), what houses they occupy and what (if any) other aspects are made to those planets. All these factors will be expressed through the Aquarian planet(s) in their own aspects, say for example, the Aquarian Sun is trine Jupiter or conjunct Mercury, the transiting quincunx (in my theory) between the rulers of Aquarius might lean either toward a conservative (Saturn) point of view or behavior but then later do something extraordinarily (Uranus) out of character.
The 2nd indication that this (transiting quincunx) is an attempt to “refine” or alter the Aquarian nature was that transiting Mars was in a remarkable position; first he ruled (or co-ruled) the signs that both Saturn and Uranus were occupying, and secondly he was compromised (I believe that’s how Eric put it) by being in a sign which debilitated [dilute] the effectiveness of his energy) AND, he was transiting (for a long period) with a couple of minor-type bodies (who represented feminine energy expression), named after goddesses Ceres and Vesta (who rarely were conjunct each other). Astrologers don’t believe in coincidences. All this together seemed to have purpose. It was like trying to maneuver a huge ship onto a different course through subtle means; it required time and patience, both Saturn manifestations, and ingenuity, a Uranus manifestation.
Finally, I found it interesting that there were no major planets transiting the sign of Aquarius at the time all this maneuvering (when Uranus was quincunx Saturn) was taking place. No planets to observe as to whether or not they exhibited any dichotomy of expression when located in this sign. When the cycle between transiting Uranus and Saturn began (at their conjunction in 1988), they were also conjunct the Galactic Center in Sagittarius, a rather auspicious beginning. When Uranus entered the sign of Aries (2011) he was conjunct Mercury. When Saturn entered the sign of Scorpio (2012) he was conjunct Mercury. Mercury is the ruler of communicating, thinking and commerce (trade).
An early speculation would suggest then, that in this leg of their cycle, how these two symbols affect (manifest in) communication, thinking and commerce is going through some alteration. There is a subtle (?) suggestion that feminine expression will be incorporated (Ceres-Vesta). As the old and new rulers of Aquarius, this would be apparent in individuals (including corporations!) through any Aquarian planets in their birth charts as well as where (what houses they occupy) the transits have occurred. Because Mars, Ceres and Vesta have all been transiting on or near the transiting north node (symbol of new opportunities to move forward) in a sign that relates to partnership, negotiation and balance, this will influence the signs ruled/co-ruled by Mars, which in turn will affect transiting Uranus and Saturn and be passed on to any and all planets in Aquarius.
A trial balloon of sorts is the upcoming Aquarius Full Moon. Otherwise I (and anyone else interested), will have to depend on personal experience (personal natal planets in Aquarius) and any volunteers who are willing to further the study of astrology. 🙂 The multi-layered transiting pattern is now breaking up; Saturn is now direct, Uranus is now retrograde and Mars is moving out of Libra. It has been an experiment in the ongoing evolution of mankind.
be
Be? Aword? PSohpia? Chief Nowats Son? and, of course, Len .. I am curious as to the aspect that I noticed first thing this am, and the aspect that Be writes of — the Uranus-Saturn aspect. Be referred to it as a quincunx (I believe) and I had thought what I viewed on my software was called an “inconjunct” … now maybe that is the same thing or I am making this inconjunct thing up entirely. My question is about how such an aspect would feel to the Aquarians out there (in here) when the rules are so placed … the only analogy I can think of is when Mom and Dad fight and the house just didn’t feel right?
Oh Be, thank you! I didn’t quite catch up to you on that post, thanks for clarifying. I was certain there was some branch of astrology I’d been missing 🙂
I like your further explanation. Very helpful. And thank you too, for your Consciousness Quotient cheer-leading. I do my best each day just to “be”, to listen and be open to my path — what with so many amazing aspects to my natal and progressed skies the way could be much more difficult without the teaching/s of my friends.
aword, I’m sorry, I should have worded that better. . . thanks for bringing it to my attention. Try this re-wording, “we might consider that the two rulers of the sign of the Full Moon (Saturn and Uranus rule Aquarius), will be sextiled (Uranus) by the Moon and squared (Saturn) by the Moon.” At that time and for the period covered by the Full Aquarius Moon’s tenure, the Moon will be influenced by both Saturn’s restrictive yet solid footing nature, and Uranus’ truth-at-any-cost nature. We’re still working on this – now separating – quincunx (adjustment) between the Rulers of Aquarius; upgrading their (our) awareness if you will.
As the transits affect (aspect) your personal chart’s planet placements, you get an extra dose of the Consciousness Quotient they impart. This makes you a special tool of the Universe; go forth and teach your countrymen and women what they will be revealing to you, all in good time, through your experiences at those transit times. God bless,
be
P. Sophia, I meant to thank you for noting the discovery degree of Rhiphonos, and that it is being transited by Uranus who stationed there Monday night. Bless you!
be
Well Len, the Panacea sounds good to me, Sun/Jupiter squares natal Jupiter and oppose natal Venus. The New Moon will be riding close to AC/Uranus (opp Pholus. Perhaps we could serve up that soothing cupa’ ‘all at once’?)
Be, teach me more about how Uranus and Saturn rule the Moon? What with my Jupiter square right now, you can see that I’ve a Jupiter return coming in a few years and this is the one that comes along with a Saturn return. Uranus has been on my Moon/Eris in Aries and will be moved into position to oppose that Jupiter return when it arrives.
It’s all so interesting isn’t it?….
As you say Len, it is difficult (until you make a practice of it) to be grateful for what you have been blessed with, when you are hurting. Much hurting comes from feeling your battles are yours alone to fight. This theme of “keeping company” has an Aquarian flavor, as much of the present astrology does. Or so it seems to me anyway.
Now the story itself of this new centaur, Rhiphonos (do we pronounce this rif-onos, or Rye-phonos or maybe reef’ onos?) lends itself to a group setting and learning how to work as a team doesn’t it? BMLilith can certainly be supportive and relate to that feeling of being out in the cold due to your beliefs and desire to maintain your integrity as an individual. Panacea would likely provide you a warm blanket and some hot cocoa upon arrival into the Leo limelight. Generous, broad-minded Jupiter would no doubt be more than willing to hear your views and incorporate them into a bigger picture than say, your family or co-workers or neighbors might do.
I was very intrigued by your suggestion that Juno and Dionysus might be letting “bygones by bygones” at this start of their new cycle Len. How very generous that would be of them, and the degree (20+ Gemini) they share has a Sabian Symbol that lends credence to finding common ground among the masses; another Aquarian indication. “A TUMULTUOUS LABOR DEMONSTRATION” signifying a group/collective purpose, probably considered radical (Aquarius) by the status quo.
As the 2 rulers of Aquarius try to find common ground through their quincunx (adjustment) aspect, and while Mars in Libra, along with the goddesses Vesta and Ceres, hangs tight with the north node (progress pathway) in Libra (teamwork), he supports both Uranus in Aries (sign ruled by Mars) and Saturn in Scorpio (sign co-ruled by Mars and Pluto). All this effort is focused on transforming the energies identified with Aquarius; those which are fixed and narrow-minded (lower end of Aquarian spectrum) into those encompassing the betterment of all humanity (higher end of Aquarian spectrum). Am I the only one who sees it this way?
As we approach the Full Moon in Aquarius on August 10th (she being the first noteworthy presence in this sign for quite a while), we might consider that the Moon, symbol of The People, will sextile one of her rulers – Uranus in Aries who will be retrograde – and square the other – Saturn in Scorpio who will be direct. Squares are a challenge to fix something and they require initiative, while sextiles allow easier access to the energies involved as symbolized by the participating planets. It is easier to DEMONSTRATE (Moon sextile Uranus) than it is to WORK TOWARD TRANSFORMING (Moon square Saturn).
The problems we have dealt with this July (and throughout the Spring months) have been preparing us for this Full Moon in Aquarius, among other goals. If we, as a People, can be more accepting of our fellow human beings (as well as kinder to the Planet and the other animals we share it with) we will be creating (a Leo thing) a larger platform (stage?), holding more people, from which to move up the Evolutionary ladder. More of us moving up at one time means less time spent waiting for the stragglers to accept the invitation to live in a better world.
Keeping company is an art and Leo is nothing if not art. Practice gratitude and become an even better artist than you already are. If all the world is a stage, then put on those dancing shoes and a new coat of face paint. Wherever you are, dance as fast as you can and then listen for the applause you will most surely get. You’re in Leo baby! 🙂
be
Len: Sincerely appreciate your reply. And for offering the broader picture of what I was considering, ‘partnership’. It’s interesting I have been thinking such ‘big picture’ for what seems years now, since 12/12 that when considering the Venus and Juno in conjunction aspect for the first time in a while I was brought to a focus of personal -practicality. When in actuality everything you say is what has been front and center for me, has been consumed in the process of my thinking. Although the connection is one in the same, in the moment and spans all. As you say the connection of balancing instinct and intellect, physical and mental, and the personal and collective, of course, and I ‘ll add intention, power and action as well. Fore, I really feel this a time of developing this understanding, working through and allowing the intensity of these feelings with focus and the awareness while using these new skills.
Couple more after thoughts:
I just read Rhiphonos was discovered at approximately 16 Aries 20, the same degree Uranus is turning Retrograde today. ..Coincidence??
After rereading your article and comments regarding Rhiphonos’s identity of Sprite before centaur, I suddenly remembered I was awoken this morning by a loud thunder. And when I rose to see the beautiful morning clouded sky, while taking a picture then again came another loud, roaring rumble. Here in Northern Ca thunder is quite unusual anytime, but particularly in mid July.. Seems your wise thought of Juno and Dionysus introducing us to a new acquaintance actually may have happened, here/live. 😀
thank you, Len 🙂
Len, as always, beautifully written and eminently useful. Thank you for all your heart-full invitations and reminders.
Ever in awe,
🙂
Chief Niwots Son: You are most welcome. Please accept my gratitude in turn. May you have a safe and fulfilling vacation, as enriching as the heavens.
Len- thank you for calling attention to the big changes of the day, and how they affect the personal/collective dimension of human experience. The time between today’s ingress and Saturday’s New Moon feels particularly rich, and offers an additional anticipatory glisten to an upcoming vacation with my Beloved. Curious to see what all these conjunctions bring to light in Leo.
P. Sophia: Thank you. That is a very deep and complex question. Venus has been a part of human consciousness for a long time because it is the brightest thing in the sky besides the Sun and Moon. In addition, Venus’ motion is a complex but rich source of information which contributed heavily to the development of mythology, astrology, and astronomy. Juno, on the other hand is relatively recent to human consciousness, the third asteroid discovered in the vast “main belt” between Mars and Jupiter a little more than two centuries ago. Hence Venus represents knowledge so deep and so old it is difficult to say where we (individually and collectively) begin and the knowledge leaves off. Juno, on the other hand, corresponds with knowledge recently gained as a product of knowledge. The merger of your natal Venus with transiting Juno (and also transiting Dionysus, please remember) in your natal 9th indicates a sort of connection between levels of awareness. Perhaps between instinct and intellect. Perhaps between physical and mental. Perhaps knowledge of what we have learned and the sense that everything we know could possibly be wrong. The correlation (or lack thereof) between individual and collective (and how little we know of it) you alluded to is also part of the mix. So, the idea is to pay attention to any connection between what today brought you and what you brought to today. i hope my answer is at once satisfying and worthy of the the conjunction you refer to (along with the worthy after thoughts you followed with).
Len, Mercury is conjunct natal Pluto, suprisingly.. This is my final hog of your article’s thread I promise, but I want to add, Natal Venus is also conjunct MC, @ Cancer 4+ degrees.
Opps, posted before finished.. Of course I am still learning, so would appreciate and love to hear your interpretation, or anyone’s experience with this aspect, Juno transit conjunct Venus. Besides the mythology, Did not find much online. Thanks-
Sounds like a nice welcome. Thank you for the way you so beautifully weave the story Len…and so grateful for the company after much solitude (albeit to say necessary) the season of intimacy of the last year.
Len funny you mention Juno just last night I was researching the asteroid b/c was currently exact conjunct natal Venus in 9th @ 20+ Gemini today. And what do you know, this afternoon at ingress I am picking up (concious) expression of interest and abundance in partnership (juno) in potential venture on distance shores. And with the opposition of the Sun from Leo to Aquarius, at the same time I believe you are advising we stay self aware in community..!?