Today is Friday, August 5, 2011. The Moon enters Scorpio at 7:57am EDT and stays there until late Sunday morning, when it enters Sagittarius at 11:21 am EDT. As a feminine water sign, Scorpio has a feeling of intense inner focus, shining a spotlight on our subjective state, allowing us to come to grips with ourselves.
This weekend you can see the Moon with Antares, the bright red star of the constellation Scorpius. Antares is also known as the heart of the Scorpion. Antares means ante-ares, or “the rival of Mars.” Antares was considered the Fire Star to the ancient Chinese, and has the reputation of giving success through intensity and focus, but also the danger of taking this to extremes, even to the point of life-or-death struggles.
This means it’s a great idea to allow yourself to feel the intensity within you this weekend, and the resulting focus that brings to your senses and awareness. Remember, however, also to tread a little cautiously and be aware of the dangers of becoming obsessed or taking things to the extreme. This may be especially important given the news lately. There is a lot in the world many of us are struggling with — the US debt crisis, famine in Africa, and so on — and it is possible to become outraged to the point of paralysis. Keep checking in with yourself, and ask for help in shifting focus if you need it to shake an obsession loose.
Another focusing aspect this weekend is the opposition of Vesta in Aquarius with the Leo Sun. This means that the Earth is between the two of them, and that Vesta is at her closest approach to our planet, and therefore at her brightest. You can actually see Vesta in the sky now if you know just where to look. Binoculars or a telescope will help a lot. If you want to see close-up pictures of Vesta, you can check out the page for NASA’s Dawn mission, which is currently orbiting around Vesta.
In astrology Vesta corresponds to the concepts of sacred space and tending the inner flame. This actually blends quite well with the introverted energies of Scorpio and Antares, and you may find yourself feeling the need to withdraw from something or someone or just wanting to spend some time alone. The flip side of loneliness, solitude is the celebration of being alone and can be a very healthy, helpful and satisfying experience which promotes self-awareness. In that sense, solitude is part of the Hero/ine’s Journey. After a healthy experience of solitude, we can appreciate and experience more deeply its counterpoint of intimacy.
Intimacy is, of course, also associated with Scorpio by way of that sign’s deeply emotional sexuality, and as Eric has often pointed out, tending the inner flame as represented by Vesta also means tending our creative spark — and sex is the original creative act. So by virtue of both the Moon’s placement and our position between the Sun and Vesta, we have an opportunity to feel out a particular inner conversation. Vesta in Aquarius may be asking, “How does my cultivation of my own creativity and sexuality ultimately serve the collective? How much can I tend to my community before I need to withdraw into myself? Are my social groups supporting my devotion to my inner flame and fueling my self-exploration?”
Meanwhile, Venus is moving into a conjunction with the Sun in Leo. This may suggest that the other side of the Sun-Vesta opposition is drawing us to a more outward expression of love — including self-love. Don’t be surprised if the inner-flame tending you are doing shines out to others, and you find people responding. If you are radiating attraction or responding to the radiance of another, how do you balance that with the Moon’s introversion and Vesta’s sense of devotion? As with many aspects, the answer lies in listening carefully to ‘that little voice’ and allowing empathy and equanimity (toward yourself as much as to others) guide you.
It is possible to receive and acknowledge appreciation without acting on it; to express attraction without expectation; to withdraw into oneself without alienating or feeling alien. It’s called love, and yes, it works best when all parties involved ‘get it’ and let go of expectation, attachment and obligation — but all any of us can do is tend our half of the equation. As you do so, remember Antares. Keep your self-devotion focused without going to extremes, and you may find you have even more to give when you open up to the rest of the conversation and let the light of Sun-Venus shine in — and out.
By Gary Caton with Amanda Painter
Wow, the caution I expressed on Friday over the Moon’s conjunction with Antares seemed warranted, but I was not expecting riots (in London)
“The various voices in the PW Daily Blog are incredibly sustaining. Thanks to all.”
I second that with all my heart. PW is the oasis in the storm, the safe port I come to every day. Thanks to everyone here for that.
Ah, yes, lessons learned before but not always remembered. “Receive and acknowledge appreciation without acting on it”: that is, accept it with gracious gratitude, and not denial. Simply say “thank you” at a compliment, and refrain from “denying” by saying something in contradiction (“That shirt looks good on you.” “But it’s old and not my favorite color.”)
“express attraction without expectation”… and without the desire to possess. Admire, not acquire.
I know I have been feeling exhausted, scattered and distracted, and ultimately cranky and crabby with the frustration at the fiascos that are so idiotic and inhumane. It will be a good time this weekend to ponder in solitude the words of Keith Olbermann’s call to action, without obsession and without violence, but with focus on just what simple step is the first one to take individually to engage the collective and be part of changing what has been happening.
So, finally, after too many weeks of unbearable tension, fear and drama being inflicted upon us from all sides (as has been so eloquently and poignantly described by the PW community), we have an oasis (and it’s also a weekend!) to renew our inner resources which have been depleted – the sacred space and inner flame – and emerge refreshed to be able to tend to community.
Thank you Gary and Amanda. The various voices in the PW Daily Blog are incredibly sustaining. Thanks to all.
JannKinz