Tomorrow at 10:33 am EDT (14:33 UT), the Virgo Sun opposes Neptune in Pisces just as the waxing crescent Libra Moon will be rising above the ecliptic. Holistically, the combination defines a moment for you to face whatever challenges may be yours, and rise above them as well.
Unless you are the carefree exception, it is likely you have been challenged by personal and/or public events lately. You may even have forgotten that responding to tests is what you do best.
For you come from a long line of beings who have faced provocations (natural and otherwise) and defined themselves by the means of successful response passed on to you.
Even at this moment, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, the environment is trying your integrity on the physical and other levels. If you are where it is cold, your body is working to replace lost heat. If you are where it is hot, your body is working to shed excess heat.
Your every moment alive thus attests to your proficiency for reacting to the world appropriately so as to assure your continuity and define yourself in the bargain. The aspect of oppositions in astrology works (at least somewhat) along the same lines.
On the zodiac circle, an opposition is one object or point in the same degree as another object or point in the opposing sign. In tangible reality, oppositions take place when Earth is moving between two objects or points in the solar system. The template through which astrology defines and interprets all oppositions is a Full Moon.
By definition then, as Earth moves between the Sun and Neptune, we are about halfway between their last conjunction (Feb. 23, 2014) and the next one (Feb. 25/26, 2015). Additionally, now is by definition a time to face up to and reflect on what may have started back then, and what’s possibly coming to a culmination now.
But Neptune is not the Moon. Neither are the challenges of a ‘full’ Neptune the same as those of a Full Moon.
Neptune is inherently nebulous in how it expresses in your life. Even when the actual Sun’s light (representing the metaphorical light of consciousness, among other things), is most fully and brightly reflected by Neptune, it is in reality still a difficult planet to see, or even locate.
In likely correspondence, whatever your own solar (waking) consciousness might be facing up to about now probably correlates with potentially discouraging confusion or lack of clarity. It can get to you, especially if you are motivated (as most people are) to define yourself by doing the right thing.
That’s where tomorrow’s Libra Moon comes in. Just at the moment the Sun and Neptune face off tomorrow, the Moon will have conjoined on the zodiac with what is called the lunar north node at about 20 degrees Libra.
In actuality that means Luna will have reached the point of its orbit around the Earth where its path intersects with and rises above the plane defined by the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. That imaginary plane is called the ecliptic. From our position here on Earth we see it as the constantly changing path of the Sun’s apparent motion across the sky.
In many ways, the ecliptic is the backbone of astrology. On your own natal chart for example, the ascendant (which does so much to individuate your personal astrology because it changes so rapidly with time and place) may be defined as where the continually moving ecliptic intersects with the continually moving eastern horizon.
Hence, the Moon intersecting with the ecliptic on its way to rising above it goes a long way toward defining tomorrow’s opposition from the Sun to Neptune, and also your appropriate response to the challenge implied.
Rather than allow any discouragement or confusion confronting your waking (solar) consciousness to define you, defer to the lunar complement and what it represents in order to rise above your intersection with the world while still being fully present to what’s in your face.
Lunar consciousness is emotional. It’s felt more than thought, and is capable of abstracting reality just as a zodiac chart abstracts opposition, as well as intersections with the ecliptic and other actualities.
You can begin putting your lunar consciousness to work tomorrow by trusting yourself to feel what the right thing is and allow yourself to be guided by it. Then, no matter how unclear your solar consciousness may be about any challenges you face, an appropriate and defining response will be available.
Of course, you will have to be fully aware of your emotions, and trust your feelings to get the best result out of tomorrow’s solar opposition to Neptune. If you can bring yourself to do so, however, you would then almost certainly realize the additional benefit of becoming more whole in the process. Holistically speaking, isn’t it about time?
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Len is available for astrology readings. You can contact him at lenwallick [at] gmail [dot] com.
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I’m a come-lately to this discussion, mostly because I’ve been finding this a perplexing & difficult time which has also been hard to describe. And I rarely struggle with words!
It’s like this: two or three matters which have potential to improve my life (one particularly) are pending – events which may or may not happen – & all are beyond my control. The ball is in each situation in the other other person’s court, as it were. I’ve been trying to hold to the thought of “this or something better manifesting…”
Transiting Jupiter trines my sun this weekend, & soon will cross my natal Pluto. I am hoping for movement. The sun-Neptune opposition happens within orb of my sun, which may be why I’ve been hesitant to trust my intuition as to outcomes. I hope I’ll be feeling clearer if & when decisions are necessary.
Thank-you, Len, & everyone here, for helping us make our way through our “interesting times.”
Bette
spot on, so thanks len! and with be’s point on home and family issues, center of center circle!
thanks and cheers to all!
be: Thank you for recounting the events of the last solar conjunction with Neptune (which there was no room for me to do here) – what a combination to begin a new (more-or-less annual) cycle! Then you go above any beyond relating todays Sun-Neptune opposition to the recent Vorgo New Moon – genius! You are the goddess we always wished for. The compassion you have shown here has carried many of us (included myself) through tough times. Long may you wave at Planet Waves!
Lizzy: Thank you so very much. You have my informed empathy as regards the “something else comes up” phenomenon. You also have my respect, admiration, and (most of all) my gratitude for the inspiration your example serves to be.
Holly: Congratulations on the good start in school at an auspicious time to make good starts! Thank you especially for sharing to inspire the rest of us.
P. Sophia: It’s all good. You and me are good. Please remember that solar Virgo is not the time to be critical of yourself. There was certainly no intended criticism from me. i simply did not understand. With respect for you as an astrologer who is progressing with both inspiring passion and laudable effort, please allow me to clarify just one thing – your natal ascendant (like the rest of your natal chart) is a snapshot, frozen in time to commemorate your first breath in a life of your own. The transiting ascendant, on the other hand, is constantly moving. Please, does that work for you? We love your contributions here!
aword: Thanks for the caraway tea recommendation. Please remember that recounting your “personal” is always welcome here for as instructive as transits to your personal astrology always are. We want you to feel safe and appreciated either way.
Steeped caraway seed has been my cuppa lately. (it’s like drinking fresh baked rye bread).
I shan’t recount my personal and only note that your wisdom is spot on, Len. Thanks for the sage (and rye).
Be, thank you too; once again you add greatly to my healing/growing process!
The portal for life anew is astonishingly……welcoming.
Len appreciate your reply and patience with me and all my questions. I am still learning, and your shared experience, verses searching alone for answers propels understanding forward, more quickly.
Regarding the Ascentant, I was referring to mine. And I did not know this went round like the nodes I thought it was a fixed calculated point on the natal. Likewise as far as the transit nodes, I finally now get your meaning regarding their position changing so rapidly with time and place. Slowly I go.. Thank you : )
It’s so funny you mentioned the Neptune opposition to the sun. My natal Mercury is smack in the middle. I’m having a hard time finishing my National Geographic magazines, which is VERY unusual to me. I hope I can use this opposition for my benefit during school.
Speaking of school, first day was yesterday and I got a 95 on my homework assignment. It isn’t due until the 5th. I thank my boss who was directly conjuncting my Sun, and still is. Also I appear to be in the midst of my Venus return, Sun atop natal Mercury, the moon is just passing my natal Mars, Saturn/Mars is atop my Pluto, and Pluto right now is still interacting with my natal Uranus (who was retrograde when I was born). Lotta action goin’ on.
Love the tea exchange!
This is so spot on for me, dear Len. Thank you. It’s always challenging and emotionally draining being back home with my parents. This is the first time I’ve been able to deal with it so well. Yet every time I feel that I’m on top of it, something else comes up to pull the rug out from under my feet So once more unto the breach I go, and rise to the challenge, and once again I get clobbered. But the more I’m able to stay open to the feelings that assail me and sustain awareness of those feelings, the more I’m able to rest in that awareness and find some peace, even though my mind is raging. This is the first time it’s worked so well for me. Though it’s bloody hard work – and I often don’t manage it. But like learning a language or to ride a bike, it takes time and practice.
Remarkable astrology you’ve served up to us today Len. These emotionally testing times can really discombobulate us – like a boat meeting a big wave – if we aren’t watching for it. I just had to check out the astrological situation when Sun started this particular cycle with Neptune on February 23, 2014. They met at 5+ Pisces (where Sun is today, and retrograde Neptune reaches late next Friday) and participated in a grand water trine with Jupiter in Cancer and Ceres in Scorpio, providing ample (if not excessive) emotional expression.
However, retrograde Jupiter was also locked in a T-square with the Uranus-Pluto square series. This muddle certainly would have had an indirect influence on the Sun-Neptune conjunction (new cycle) and will surely impact tomorrow’s opposition between them. Not only that but last February when Sun conjoined Neptune, the transiting nodes had just left the fixed signs of Scorpio and Taurus to enter the back door of the cardinal signs of Libra and Aries. Don’t tell me THAT hasn’t influence the Sun-Neptune cycle too. It meant something new was starting (cardinal) and something of a personal nature (Aries) would have to go (south node), as some form of partnership (Libra) beckoned toward a way forward (north node).
Well, I can relate to that for sure. In fact, as I’m sensing it, this opposition between Neptune and Sun is a component of the Virgo New Moon, and that realization comes from my emotional intelligence as well as my thought processes. They used to call it common sense. Hmmm. . .
If Pisces is compassion, as is Neptune, then a new opportunity was there for the Sun to become more conscious of just what compassion entailed. That new consciousness would arrive by way of our emotional channels (Pisces as part of water grand trine) more so than from purely logical deduction. It would certainly have something to do with home and/or family issues (Jupiter in Cancer partaking of the grand trine AND cardinal T-square). Now we have this illuminating moment with the Moon rising above the ecliptic (backbone of astrology) conjunct the north node (path forward) in Libra (balance and partnership) at the same time Sun reaches its opposition to Neptune, being mere arc minutes away from where it all started.
We can safely assume that this was not an easily arrived at response to “the challenge” implied by this cycle’s opposition. I would only add a reminder that, in the U.S. Sibly chart, the transiting north node (seek out and follow) has been conjunct the asteroid Juno (equal partner) at 20+ Libra (partnership, balance), while the south node (release or depart from) has been conjunct Chiron (healing vs. hurting) in Aries (oneself alone), and tomorrow the transiting Moon (process through feeling) will conjunct the U.S. Juno as well as the transiting north node. Astrology can be so metaphoric at times.
Thanks Len, and thanks too for catching Terpsi’s sextile to Venus yesterday; loved it!
be
abc123: You have my empathy regarding the challenges from your environment this morning. Thank you for affirming that my service was useful for you. i hope your pet feels better soon.
beth: You are very welcome. Of all those whom i would trust to trust themselves, you are right up there among the tops. Instead of allowing your experiences earlier this week to shake your faith in yourself, please allow what you learned to guide faith in yourself.
P. Sophia: Thank you for your questions. Let’s look at them one at a time. If i understand correctly the transiting Sun will be conjoined with your natal Uranus tomorrow. That means transiting Neptune has been and will be opposing your natal Uranus for a number of years. According to Robert Hand, the “fundamental meaning” of transiting Sun conjunct natal Uranus “…is that you have a strong drive to seek release from your usual routine of activity and consciousness.” Just remember that the Sun moves on quickly, however, so it might be a better ideal to seek a temporary release (take a break). Neptune, on the other hand moves slowly and (to paraphrase Eric) has the widest orb of influence of any planet. Hence, Neptune opposing your natal Uranus is by definition a defining transit for you in this decade. Once again referring to Mr. Hand, it’s “…an enormous revolution in you consciousness.” Just remember that it’s a long revolution – take it one day at a time, but also take each day as a part of a bigger picture that involves transforming the world by transforming your perception and focus. Next. You ask if “the Sun is considered a hard object?” Depends on what modality of astrological perception you are using. The Vedic and Chinese tradition consider the Sun to be “harder” than the Hellenistic, or Arabic branches that flowed together to amalgam what we call western (or tropical) astrology. On the one hand, the Sun is hot and can burn you, but on the other hand it is the source of earthly life energy (along with the geothermal). So there is no one definitive answer there. My preference is to perceive the Sun and Moon in their own category most of the time. Thank you for contributing Lynn Koiner’s perspectives, which i have no quarrel with. i’m not sure what you mean by “our natal ascendant” because a natal ascendant is by definition a highly individual thing. The ascendant moves a degree counterclockwise on the zodiac every four or five minutes (making a complete circuit of all the signs roughly once a day) – that how even twins don’t have the same ascendant. And yes, Sun conjunct Orcus – a powerful indication that there is more going on any one person can discern (although some discern better than others).
Lady Terra: Thank you for your kind appraisal. As to your question, i’m hesitant to advise your son without having access to the context of his entire nativity. Nevertheless, i can say that tomorrow’s opposition from the Sun to Neptune will be better handled by conscience than by consciousness. He should heed and trust his conscience, AND remember that the only person in the world he can change is himself.
Well, I am very much relieved to see an explanation of the morning I’ve had. (I almost always feel transits early.)
I woke up to a harassing email from someone who refuses help.
I woke up to a gif of an animal being tortured — and haven’t been able to unsee it since. (The point was to raise awareness in hopes of preventing future animal torture.)
I woke up to the realization that my pet needed critical vet care this morning. (Thank goodness we’ve been in and have a diagnosis, medication and are on the way to healing.)
It’s only 2 p.m. and already I’ve seen far more than I’d like for the day, and have been struggling all morning to redirect my thoughts and emotions toward light and love as best I can.
Probably your posting, Len, has been the greatest illumination in my day thus far, so thank you!
..ah meant would love your experience with this practice. However live works as well as you have so much experience teach!
BTW – just noticed in the background (the spiritual core and mystery of) Orcus is conjunct Sun as well.
Greetings Len:
You are really amazing. ;-D
My Son is a Virgo (w/ a Scorpio Rising & a Sagittarius Moon) and this is exactly what he is facing at work (right now).
I would (also) like to validate that he was facing a similar situation (with his last employer)…you predicted it…February of this year.
And…he is planning to confront the situation (tomorrow morning)! :-O
So…I should tell him to mind his emotions–trust his feelings–and plan on doing this around 10:33 a. (CST)?
I appreciate the clarification and all the wonderful work you do.
Ever your friend,
LadyTerra
Crescent Moon ..The shoot inside the seed breaks the shell.
The path ahead may not be clear but there’s a sense that you must get moving.
Len, thank you for another very interesting, and helpful article. The Sun will be conjunct my natal Uranus simultaneously with the solar opposition to Neptune. So, would I be on the right track to believe energetically, receptivity will be key?
Is the Sun considered a hard object? Also, as Uranus is involved in the conjunction of opposing Sun- Neptune is this interpreted similarly as a transit?
According to an interpretation I read by Lynn Koiner just this weekend, “Hard aspects from the transiting Uranus always want us to change something in our lives – change a job, change a relationship or change a limiting pattern in our lives.” And, “Uranus transits speed up the electrical currents stimulating the nadis, the etheric counterpart of our nervous system. This “wired” feeling stimulates us to make changes.” Which resonates universally well considering the ongoing, mundane Uranus Pluto squares we’re involved in.
Regarding Neptune, I also found her theory interesting in that, on outer planet transits they produce change by first stimulating some aspect of our electro-magnetic field. “Neptune speeds up the frequency in the etheric, causing the molecules of the etheric web to separate, making the vail between the seen and unseen more tenuous…and dissolving boundaries (also making us more sensitive).
I am guessing the Sun activating this as you also support in your report means our intuition may now especially be more available for us to follow if we stay aligned and open to.
Regarding the Moon’s movement to the North Node, would you please further explain regarding our natal ascendant to ecliptic NN as relates to your comment “changes so rapidly with time and place”. Are you speaking of a progressed lunar chart? Or were you referring to movement, or if moving and having a chart recast to the ascendant and NN of that particular location? I read about this once but there was some skepticism in the reviews of accurate forecasts, or interpretations. Would live your experience with this practice.
Thanks again for your kindness and guidance Len!
Thanks Len. After the astrology earlier this week, I was starting to lose faith in my ability to trust my emotions and perceptions of certain situations. And I have an event tomorrow that requires a great amount of confidence, so this is very helpful to be reminded that the answers are within, and trusting my self is most important.
Jere: Thank you for bringing your gentle and poetic proficiencies once again. i toast you with my orange pekoe.
Lucid article and sage advice, Len. Goes well with kava, valerian, scullcap, passionflower, and calamus tea.
Cheers,
Jere