Dear Friend and Reader:
With each new natural disaster that has swept through the news recently (hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes…) it feels as though the planet is trying to get our attention: no matter how much technological ‘progress’ we make, it won’t matter until we face the damage we do to the Earth, commit to changing harmful behavior patterns, and act to heal the environment — our home. By healing the environment we can heal ourselves; and the process can also work in reverse.
Interestingly, the astrology now and through the weekend speaks to this dynamic.
And although it may seem to be speaking on an entirely personal level, extrapolating the message to the macro level and applying it to the planet (both environmentally and socially) makes sense. But let’s start with the personal.
Tomorrow (Friday), Mercury in Virgo opposes the centaur planet Nessus in Pisces. I wrote this week on Planet Waves that this aspect “looks like a reminder: no matter how logical and rational you think you are, emotionally dysfunctional patterns from the past (including those you’ve inherited from your parents or grandparents) need to be faced and seen for what they are, and for what they to do to you. Once you can see them, you can begin addressing and disarming them.”
It’s worth noting that just yesterday, on Wednesday, Mars in Virgo made its own opposition to Nessus. And on Saturday, Mercury and Mars form a conjunction. So this Mercury-Nessus conjunction also has the firepower of Mars behind it.
I mention this because it suggests that reactivity could be something to watch out for — especially reactivity that has old (including karmic or intergenerational) roots; and even more especially reactivity that finds expression through cutting words, a sarcastic tone, or a blunt or particularly critical attack. That said, the rational, grounded earthiness of Virgo could help to temper the Martian force. If you feel provoked — or like someone is getting provoked by you and you don’t know why — keep your energy grounded. Pausing to really breathe deeply before responding can help.
Notice the situations in which your old emotional patterns tend to get in your way, or undermine your ability to stay focused and get work done toward what you say you want. You can stop that proverbial buck (a Nessus theme), but it requires that you see the situation for what it is and understand why you keep letting it happen. This is not always easy, but it’s possible.
As Mercury and Mars separate from Nessus, they make their own exact conjunction. This occurs at 3:01 pm EDT on Sept. 16, in Virgo.
I mention this again because this is the second of two Mercury-Mars conjunctions, thanks to Mercury’s recent retrograde. The first conjunction happened in (drumroll…) the exact degree where the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse occurred. So, not only does Saturday’s conjunction serve as a kind of ‘second try’ in opening the Mercury-Mars conversation, it carries the energetic signature of the eclipse forward to new ground.
While the need for awareness regarding over-identifying with your ego and possible defensiveness still applies, it also looks like there may be more potential to put this energy into useful service. Heaven knows there are plenty of people, animals, communities and ecosystems in need right now of some focused work by people with some stamina. If you see someplace that could use your efforts, dive in.
At the same time, you may be in a place (emotionally or geographically) to use this energy on a more personal level. In a natal chart, Mercury conjunct Mars can indicate a “mechanically inclined mind.” What do you need to put together — or take apart and then put back together — in your life, literally or metaphorically?
Another major aspect this weekend indicates one of the many possible areas that could ask for your attention: food (including where it comes from). On Sunday, Sept. 17, Ceres in Cancer squares Uranus in Aries.
This could be a warning about impulsive eating, especially if you’ve been feeling completely overwhelmed by all the chaos and pain in the world, and the way it’s coming at you nonstop through the media. Yet Uranus-Ceres also could indicate this is a great day to try a new, healthy food — or to jump-start a healthy new routine around eating and cooking.
It’s important to remember that food is not love; that equation gets garbled and reversed and made toxic for many people in childhood. Yet, it’s also incredibly important to remember that eating well and making sure those around you are nourished is a way of taking care — of yourself, and of others. It’s a form of dharma, or “acting as if to hold the world together.”
There are many other ways we can demonstrate that caring — from donating to relief charities, to buying a neighbor groceries, to pushing for corporate-level efforts to drastically reduce global warming, to using only organic and sustainable practices in your home garden. Like I said: our healing and that of the planet are part of the same process.
Yours & truly,
Planet Waves Weekly Horoscope for Sept. 14, 2017, #1167 | By Amy Elliott
Aries (March 20-April 19) — It’s time you made a thorough review of your daily routines or habits, to ensure they facilitate what you’re trying to achieve. Discontinue any regular action or process that no longer serves you. This isn’t just about efficiency: you’ll want to be clear that nothing you do is holding you back from expressing yourself creatively, or from aspiring to do more of what you’re passionate about. You might also benefit from greater participation in charitable works. If you need to bring yourself out a little more, a partner or close friend could be able to help. — By Amy Elliott.
Taurus (April 19-May 20) — Your chosen artistic endeavors are of special importance right now. Not only do they possess all the usual benefits that living creatively brings; they are currently serving as a means for you to disconnect from certain restrictions you may have experienced in the past. As this is probably a relatively deep process, some powerful emotions might arise. What’s likely happening is that you’re heading toward a new, fresher, freer state of being. Gradually, you’re discovering more about who you truly are, what you really want, and how you can make that happen. — By Amy Elliott.
Gemini (May 20-June 21) — Are your main living spaces optimal for what you do? Do they contain everything you need to pursue your ambitions and live your life freely? If the answer is no, now would be a good time to rectify that. Be fearless about it, and speak to people who can help if necessary. If you find yourself holding back, you might ask what that’s about. It’s entirely possible that something you learned in early life may be preventing you from doing what you wish to now. Yet your home is where you should be able to be completely and unabashedly yourself; so aim high, and consider practicing total honesty. — By Amy Elliott.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Information abounds in this internet age; the difficulty has become sorting the good data from the bad amid the overwhelm. That said, part of learning has always been about discarding the preconceptions of ignorance. This week, you’re likely to gain in understanding of a certain matter through whittling down the possible alternatives until you find the truth, or an approximation. Something a friend says might provide a key to the puzzle, so listen out for that. What you discover could be a means of inspiration or possibly a welcome boost to your self-esteem, or both. — By Amy Elliott.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) — The astrological spotlight has now assuredly moved on from your sign, and is in the realm of your values and possessions. This is probably something of a relief after the intensity of recent experiences, though it may well require you to do some work in terms of bolstering in the outside world the concepts you hold most dear. If you encounter a situation that seems to need your input, practice speaking up as opposed to reticence and silence. Doing this will almost certainly boost your self-esteem and confirm you in the beliefs underpinning your action. — By Amy Elliott.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) — In recent weeks you’ve likely been obliged to confront some especially challenging material, or a rather stubborn habit that when viewed impartially has clearly done you little good. You must take charge of your life, and stop allowing others to define you. It’s true that you’ve already made progress. Stick with that; be determined, and listen to those who are encouraging you to be fully yourself. One idea in particular you may need to tackle is that of seeing your part as a role in other people’s lives. Discard that thinking whenever you encounter it. You are the hero of your own story. — By Amy Elliott.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) — You’ve probably been conscious for a while, at some level, of a deep internal shift that’s taking place. The next stage is likely to involve bringing this material into the everyday realm; and one way to do this is to share your thoughts with someone else. You might, for example, express a secret, long-held desire, regardless of what ensues. Surrendering to that state of vulnerability may be even a transcendental act of devotion to your dharma. Further, in revealing yourself to others, you will perhaps come to understand yourself in a way that was simply not possible before. — By Amy Elliott.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) — If you’ve lately been tussling with rather potent internal feelings, you might gain some catharsis from getting more involved in your community. That could be either the actual neighborhood or a more diffuse, widespread group of people with whom you share something in common; or perhaps both. After all, there are important benefits not only in advocating on an issue about which you are passionate, but in getting to know people face-to-face and developing connections. In either scenario you will most likely come to realize that you have a significant contribution to make. — By Amy Elliott.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) — You may have been frustrated by what you perceive as a series of inconveniences or obstacles on the path to your present, possibly long-cherished goals. However, you’ve almost certainly come along further than you think; and now could very well be the moment when you begin to see concrete results. Two things to note: One is that you will likely still need to communicate with the right people in order to steer accurately into port. The other is to be realistic in what you ask for once you start to notice your wishes are being granted; remember, you can aim for the stars, but getting there takes actual rocket science. — By Amy Elliott.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) — You may find yourself in conflict with a specific belief, which is now either being shown up as false, or playing an active part in stopping you moving forward. If this particular creed has no obvious merit, at the least you might examine it very carefully, and consider why you’ve held to it for so long. Rules have a tendency to be limited in their application; sometimes it’s better to forget them, and turn directly to your inner compass for guidance. If you keep in mind a spirit of compassion and empathy, and a willingness to act ethically, you can’t really go far wrong. — By Amy Elliott.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — If you’ve felt any uncertainty as to what you honestly desire, this week should afford you some answers. It’s likely, however, that you have some clue. You’ve had what’s pretty much a longstanding hotline to your unconscious, and are perhaps used to exploring that link — however familiar or otherwise that might feel. That said, a particular idea coming through now might be decidedly more concrete, especially if you’re listening. You may wish to consider sharing this information with someone in order to get it out in the open, and perhaps gain even further clarity. — By Amy Elliott.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You seem to be making strides in your relationships after a good while of things appearing to stagnate or move more slowly than you’d like. To a certain extent, you can simply flow along with the new pace. However, you’ll need to watch carefully how matters progress, and use careful discernment. Make sure your contacts are of a sort to nourish and empower you, first and foremost. Then, don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel a need to move in a particular direction, or to make changes. Honesty is by far the best measure. Let each experience spur your efforts to manifest your truth in the world. — By Amy Elliott.