Today is Thursday, July 21, 2011. The Moon is in fiery Aries for the whole day, spending the morning playing with the Uranus-Pluto square. For some this square has been feeling like playful pyrotechnics; for others, an all-out internal war. Revolution on any scale is not easy business, though it is exciting. And every time a planet or luminary makes an aspect to the 2012 square, we get a nudge or an insight or a reminder or an eruption of some sort in our lives. It is easy to forget that uncomfortable astrology is not a setback, but rather an opportunity; personally, I find it hard to remember that ‘getting it wrong’ is part of the process.
At my chiropractor’s office, there are several sets of inspirational/oracle cards. In one set is a card titled “Celebrate Blowing It,” and it seems a particularly apt idea for the Uranus-Pluto square, especially when other planets complete the cardinal cross or T-square. With this much intense energy and change, we’re never going to ‘get it right’ every time — whether that means letting go of what isn’t serving us, jumping at an unexpected opportunity, facing old fears, practicing loving kindness toward ourselves and others, getting unstuck or simply staying present. The point of celebrating blowing it is that ‘blowing it’ means that we’ve noticed. And as the little card explains, noticing means we’re aware; it means we can choose differently next time. We still might blow it again — and we can celebrate as many times as we do. It’s positive reinforcement, and it’s designed to keep us open to trying and growing instead of losing ourselves to fear and frustration.
Given that Saturn is also in the mix now, opposite the Moon-Uranus conjunction, you may be feeling a bit polarized between the possible exhilaration of Uranus’ spontaneity and electricity and Saturn’s, um, solidity. It doesn’t need to be an absolute contradiction. As many creative people know, especially in group endeavors like improv comedy or writing for The Daily Show, some sort of clear structure and boundary — a form — actually allows for greatest creative freedom. It means that instead of trying to move in all directions at once and getting nowhere, you can focus on filling the form with whatever you want because the form itself gives a foundation to build on — and evolve from.
Speaking of evolution, we also have Mars in Gemini conjunct the South Node right now. Mars in Gemini is kind of this mad discussion taking place in the world. In the U.S., it’s the rabid Tea Party nibbling away at (and sometimes tearing off large chunks of) the foundation we’re standing on: the Bill of Rights, basic human rights — heck, life itself. There’s a huge vitriolic polarization infusing everything, but it’s coming up on the South Node. That’s a karmic vent or escape hatch. The South Node drains the power from Mars, resolving the polarity by letting it go. It won’t all go away like magic. Apparently the chart for the U.S. has Mars conjunct the South Node, indicating that the process of letting go of violent impulses is a long-term journey for this country’s current incarnation. Obviously.
Mars conjunct the South Node may actually be the perfect complement to the Moon-Uranus-Pluto-Saturn configuration. As you’re pushed by challenges and upheaval, as you fill your form and push against the walls, as you blow it once again in one way or another, there’s an escape hatch for any impulses you may have to beat yourself up about it. Whether the impulse comes in emotional, spiritual, physical, mental or some other form, you have an opportunity to let it go. “Notice and choose,” said the little card at the chiropractor’s office. Notice and choose, notice and choose — and keep moving forward. You’re healing more than you may think you are.
Amanda Painter and Eric Francis
Thank you, Amanda. I would say certainly not redundant, but rather following the thread or threads, sensing and seeing the connection on your part. As Len said “no accident”. As is so often the case with this blog, and I believe it is what we are meant to do right now on this planet and in the universe – see the connections, honor them, be the embodiment of “all with one and one with all.” (Thanks, Len. Keep repeating that to us.)
As I fell asleep last night, I continued to dance with the words: form, formlessness, filling the form, foundation, focus, forward, notice and choose. I was trying to distill it all, or perhaps a better image is to spin the threads together.
Again, thanks to all on this blog. Your efforts are appreciated, and I am especially intrigued by these themes and threads being woven, words and phrases that keep coming back at me through the day, the week. It is good to make us sense, feel, be aware – “notice and choose”.
Sometime soon, as appropriate, I’ll post the “definition” of “zerocity” – a sniglet that describes much of what is expressed communally at PW.
JannKinz
PS to aword: Fuzzy to formlessness to recognizing a new form. Notice and choose. Is that the distillation?
I’ve stopped fighting with not being clear headed; this is more like a fuzzy-state but at least it’s not foggy.
Whereas in the past I might feel ready to leap tall buildings with a single bound — this go-round it’s more like Considering that it’s time to take some planned and calculated leaps, not too small, not too big.
Healing more than I think….yes, perhaps so…
Happy Birthday Leos!
Thanks Amanda and Eric.
Amanda,
No accident. You good. Just like your blog says – work in a form, be consistent, things come together as the residue of your discipline and skill. Please give yourself credit when the fruits of your labor become apparent.
As regards to Eris in sextile to her brother Mars (applying in turn to conjoin the lunar south node), by the same token you have already addressed it implicitly because it fits with everything else. Once again: no accident – you good. No need for me to guild the lily.
zerosity —
thanks for pulling it all together! as i was writing late last night, i found myself thinking, “oh gee — i mentioned forms a couple days ago. how funny. hope it doesn’t sound redundant”
i wish i could say i planned it that way and knew what i was doing, but i can’t. i’d call it an “accident,” but i guess maybe this astrology stuff really is all connected and working. whaddaya know.
🙂
Your share button did not work 🙁
Anyone know how I can unsubscibe to the service providing it now?
xoxoxoxox
It took awhile today to pull the threads together, but this is what
On Monday, Amanda wrote: “If you can allow for the idea that an unrecognized new form is not actually formlessness, you may be able to allow yourself the patience necessary to flow with some confidence.” Moon in Pisces, sextile Pluto in Capricorn and Jupiter in Taurus. Moon conjunct Neptune and Chiron. Focus, awareness.
That was Monday. Now it’s Thursday, and Amanda and Eric wrote: “As many creative people know… some sort of clear structure and boundary — a form — actually allows for greatest creative freedom.” The ubiquitous cardinal cross, t-squares, 2010 and 2012. Uranus, Pluto and Saturn all at it again pushed by the Moon.
“It means that instead of trying to move in all directions at once and getting nowhere, you can focus on filling the form with whatever you want because the form itself gives a foundation to build on — and evolve from.” Fill the form.
“Notice and choose, notice and choose. Keep moving forward.” Mars conjunct the South Node.
Monday’s patient fkiw leads to Thursday’s recognized form, waiting to be filled, by our own choice. Even if it all seems formless, or moving in all directions at one, I can still let go, still choose what I want to fill my life, my heart, my spirit.
Certainly astrology and the movement of the celestial bodies, as well as our lives, are a continuum. Thanks to all for the grounding.
And I can take all of this in, continue to ponder, and not be in fear or frustration (other than my frustration at 100 degree weather and that the reason I so detest heat is my “fear” that it is but a foretaste of my afterlife.)
JannKinz
everyone – thank you.
michele – the funny thing is, sometimes the pieces really are one or two people adding to or rewriting a piece, and sometimes the extra voice comes in the form of a pre-writing discussion of aspects and ideas and themes, and then one of us knits it all together. and no, you don’t sound ass-backwards. if anything i feel like i’m putting the cart before the horse a bit, writing about astrology before i feel like i “know enough.” ah well!
and a very happy birthday to you!
len – feel free to expand on the eris sextile here in the comments! i’d love to hear.
huffy – happy birthday tomorrow! glad to know someone shares my humor.
patti – glad to hear your inconvenient delay was put to some good use, and allowed for some insight.
kelly – keep rocking that clear-headed efficiency. we need it!
Another synchronistic tabloid gem turned up the next day… A quote attributed to Winston Churchill: “If you are going through hell, keep going”. Notice, choose, and as you say, remember to keep putting one foot in front of the other… x
I don’t recall a time when I have been as clear headed and efficient. No doubt an intensely frustrating polarity is very active, and as you have pointed out Amanda, a structured outlet is to be found. Pushing forward against any setback is the way out. Also, rest and sleep is not to be overlooked.
Nice one Patty! So true.
A nice summary to wake up to here in the UK, thanks Amanda and Eric. Much of it echoes my own experience of the past few days. In particular, I was trying to get home after a long day. I first got drenched in a heavy downpour. Got on the train with a bunch of other half drowned, bedraggled travellers only to be told that a man had thrown himself under a train somewhere near our destination and there would be long delays. An hour’s journey became three and I had too much time to sit and contemplate the general sadness of the moment, and the unravelling of all my best laid plans and hopes. I picked up a tabloid paper that was on the floor and eventually got to my (Scorpio) horoscope. Don’t normally read these but I had time on my hands! Ended up writing it down. It said “When you commit to a plan, you do so wholeheartedly, whatever the obstacles or opposition. While this has enabled you to overcome tremendous difficulties in the past, you can’t help but feel that in one particular situation, you’re failing. You’re not. Rather, you’re refusing to recognise that it’s simply not working, and must end.” Sometimes we blow it, sometimes it just doesn’t work. In the midst of these challenges it’s the ‘learning from’, rather than the ‘beating yourself up about’ that seems crucial, though SOOOO easy to forget.
Gosh. Can’t thank you enough, as ever! I found myself up against that terrible wall again at work yesterday, really wanted to kill my boss – left the office with steam coming out of every orifice – thinking ‘this will never change, I’ll never get out of this impasse’. But thanks also to these wonderful blogs I was able to calm down and see the bigger picture. Change comes through letting go and releasing – struggle and anger only ties the knot tighter. Love the photo Amanda – reflects your mix of humour and beauty. And Happy Birthday dear Michele! Mine’s tomorrow, right on the edge of Cancer.
xxxx
Amanda,
Thank you for noting Mars applying to the South Node which is rather precisely in a sextile to Eris as well.
Good day for a birthday.
I’ve been learning about “celebrate blowing it” in yoga. The art and grace of losing and regaining balance.
At some point very soon… that moon will move in and complete my personal t-square. As it’s done for many years no doubt. But between that cap full moon and this placement… I feel particularily poised for what you describe. The astrology feels intimate.
I suppose that’s another way of saying I’m noticing.
Thanks, Amanda. (And I love that you are working on these daily pieces. You do it well. And I think I can tell your voice from the other two, even when the voices form a chorus. It does give me some sense that one can come to astrology and learn it and speak of it… That sounds ass-backwards, but not intended that way.)