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What is Your Chiron Archetype?

In my last email, I briefly introduced the 3 Chiron archetypes: the Wounded Healer, the Shaman, and the Alchemist.

The 3 archetypes represent the transcendental journey of the soul: we firstly suffer and explore our primal wound (the Wounded Healer). We then attempt to heal it and embrace it (the Shaman). Only after we explore the first two Chiron archetypes can we transcend the wound and turn it into a gift (the Alchemist).

You can resonate with one, two, or all 3 Chiron developmental archetypes, depending on where you are in life with your wound and your life’s circumstances.

Your Chiron Archetype

Let’s take some examples.

I will share with you 3 stories – one for each Chiron archetype.

The Wounded Healer: The Wounded Healer describes our first experiences with the primal wound. In this stage, the wound is not yet acknowledged.

Adriana, one of my friends, was born with Chiron in her 4th house, the house of home, family, roots and nurturing. Because she was born in a large family, she never got the level of nurturing she needed. At a deep level, she didn’t feel taken care of.

When she grew up, she decided to become a doctor. Becoming a doctor was her way of coping with the pain. She wanted to take care of others so she could experience, over and over again, the primal wound of nurturing.

Years passed. She tried hard to take good care of her patients, but no matter what, she felt like a fraud. There were always people suffering, people dying, and she thought that if she would only work hard enough, she would feel better about herself. But that never happened. What she was really doing, was taking less and less care of herself. She was not healing her wound, but going into a downward spiral of self-destruction.

One day, she had a wake-up call and decided to completely change her career, so that she could have more time for herself. Her life changed for the better, but her initial struggles to deal with her wound without fully understanding it are characteristic of the Wounded Healer archetype.

The Shaman: The Shaman describes our ‘healing crisis’. A healing crisis, or healing reaction, is a temporary worsening of symptoms when we go through the process of healing. In this phase, we become aware of the wound, and in this way, we finally heal it.

You usually experience this phase when you go through a Chiron transit. The Chiron return at the age of 50 is the most important transit, but you can also experience it when you have a Chiron square, a Chiron opposition or when Chiron transits other planets in your natal chart.

I have a personal story with this archetype. As I mentioned in my previous email, I was born with Chiron on my ascendant. I was transitioning from childhood to adolescence when I had my first Chiron square, and like many other adolescents, I started developing acne.

The first Chiron square usually brings changes to the physical body. Girls have their first period, boys’ voices change.

I was very aware of my acne problem and I started putting foundation to my face to try and hide it. Years passed, and my friends’ skin got cleared, but mine did not. I started piling on more and more foundation to hide my pimples.

I tried everything to heal it – medication, healthy diets, sports, yoga, spiritual healing, homeopathy. But no matter what I did, the pimples didn’t go away. I am still grateful for my first attempts to heal the wound because in the process of healing I developed several healthy habits that still make my life so much better now.

Finally, one day I decided to stop wearing foundation. In the beginning, I was horrified. I still remember when I first left the house, without any makeup. I felt so vulnerable! Only a few weeks later, my face cleared up.

The Shaman describes our attempts to heal the wound. Ultimately, we heal the wound when we accept it and integrate it within us.

The Alchemist: in this phase, we transcend the wound and turn it into something greater. No one is born an Alchemist. We firstly need to go through and learn from the previous phases – only then we are able to transform the wound into a gift.

Becoming an Alchemist is not about trying to heal the wound. You know you are an Alchemist when there is no more conflict. This phase is about effortlessly shining out your light. It is about giving back and healing others, from a place of awareness and compassion.

My client Tom was born with Chiron in the 10th house, the house of status, career, and the role you choose to play in the world. His grandfather and father were very successful businessmen and powerful leaders. In the first 48 years of his life, this is exactly what he tried to become. He graduated from a top university, got a job in a top company and worked hard to climb the corporate ladder. He didn’t want to disappoint his father.

But no matter how hard he tried, he never reached the top. Yes, he was earning a top salary, and he even became an advisor to the board of management, but he never became a leader himself. He was in fact intimidated by power and always struggled when he tried to assert himself.

His father died a few years ago and while he suffered a big loss, he also felt a sense of relief. When he had his Chiron return, he decided to leave the corporate world to become a Kung Fu master. He finally realized that he was never the assertive, powerful leader his father was – his best weapon was his defense, was his ability to stay strong in times of struggle.

He feels happy and accomplished now. Although he finally got the status and the respect he was looking for in his early life, he doesn’t care about it anymore. His passion is to help other people become strong and resilient. He turned his wound into a gift.

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Chiron in Aries – Your Deepest Wound, Your Greatest Gift

Imagine what your life would be like if you healed your deepest wound. Chiron’s long stay in Aries is your opportunity to heal your deepest wound and turn it into your greatest gift.

Chiron in Aries is one of the most anticipated transits of the year. Chiron moves into Aries on 17th of April 2018 and leaves Aries on 14th of April 2027. Chiron moves back into Pisces for a few months later this year, and spends a few more months in Taurus, before finally moving out of Aries in 2027. But all in all, Chiron is here for a long stay.

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. Aries stands for “I am, I exist”. Aries is probably the most important transit for Chiron, because it’s the longest. Chiron spends very little time in some signs (only 1.5 years in Libra, for example)… but spends up to 8 years in Aries.

Chiron spends so much time in Aries because it has perhaps more work to do here than in any other sign. Aries is the Self. This is where it hurts the most. Wounds related to our identity, to our sense of the Self, take a long time to heal.

If in Pisces, your lesson was to surrender to your pain, to find a higher meaning in your suffering, in Aries, you will want to finally do something about your wound and take personal ownership for your healing.

Chiron crossing the 0° of the zodiac marks a new beginning for all of us.

Chiron archetype comes from the Greek mythology. Chiron was the son of Saturn and the nymph Philyra. Born half man, half horse, Chiron is rejected by his mother. Abandoned by his parents, Chiron suffers his first wound.

Apollo, the god of music, prophecy, medicine, and healing, adopts Chiron and teaches him everything he knows. Chiron carries the Appolo’s legacy forward – and discovers botany and pharmacy, the science of herbs and medicine.

Chiron was highly skilled, educated and kind. But the irony was that even if he could heal everyone else, Chiron couldn’t heal himself.

Ultimately, Chiron gives up his immortality to help Prometheus, who was chained to a rock. Gods agree to release Chiron from suffering and let him die. Upon his death, Chiron is released from his wound that would never heal and honored with the constellation of Centaurus, one of the largest constellations in the sky.

When Chiron gave up his immortality, ironically – he became immortal. Your deepest wound eventually becomes your greatest gift, your legacy, what you leave behind for generations to come.

Chiron rising in the sky and transforming into a beautiful constellation is a message that while your greatest gift can only rise from pain and suffering – this gift is much more than your pain and your suffering.

Chiron, this half-horse, half-God maverick, represents our hope that we can unite the instinctual animal part of ourselves with the divine, immortal part of ourselves.

Healing takes time and awareness. Chiron stands for the different stages of soul development.

Chiron symbolizes our deepest wound – that deep, dark part of us that we’re not only hiding from others – but also from ourselves.

Chiron symbolizes our attempts – conscious and unconscious – to heal this wound.

Last but not least, Chiron represents the key to our spiritual transformation, what we do to transcend our physical, emotional or intellectual limitations.

The house where you have Chiron in your natal chart shows your primal wound – the wound your soul has been called to heal in this lifetime.

Most of us suffer in silence. While you may think you have a miserable life compared to your neighbor, your colleague, or the beautiful movie star on the cover of the magazine, remember that we all have Chiron somewhere in our natal chart. All of us come into this life with a wound to heal.

And all of us came with a promise. That if we would only heal this wound, if we would only allow that divine spark inside each one of us to come out, then we will finally understand what our purpose in this life is.

prayerkey

By healing your wound, you are healing the world. By bringing your gift out of the shadows, you are making the world a better place.

There are 3 expressions of Chiron energy, corresponding to the 3 Chiron archetypes:

  1. The 1st expression of Chiron is the Wounded Healer. The energy is similar to Saturn. You cannot heal yourself unless you know where it hurts. The first stage of healing is acknowledging the wound. And although you might think you know what your problem is, you most probably don’t. If only it was that simple! The Wounded Healer is the dormant, unconscious expression of Chiron.
  2. The 2nd Chiron archetype is the Shaman – this is the intermediate expression of Chiron, representing the struggle to accept that pain is part of life, but also the opportunity that comes with this awareness. In this stage of Chironic development, we start to acknowledge our wound, and attempt to heal it. All the struggles we humans go through happen because we fail to integrate the broken parts inside of us. Think about the big decisions in your life, your failures, and missed opportunities. There was one part of you who wanted something, and another part who wanted something else. There are parts of you which you love and accept, and parts of you which you despise and try to dissociate from. But unless you learn to bring together all these broken parts, you can never bring to light your highest potential.
  3. The 3rd Chiron archetype is the Alchemist. The energy is similar to Uranus. This is the highest expression of Chiron. In this form, Chiron has transcended his limitations. He has healed his wound and transformed it into a gift. Just like Chiron transformed into the constellation of Centaurus, the Alchemist-Chiron is a symbol of transcendence, of reaching a higher level of awareness.

Intrigued? Do you want to go deeper? Do you want to understand how these three Chiron archetypes play out in your life?

Chiron – Your Deepest Wound, Your Greatest Gift is a 3-week email course to help you identify your deepest wound, so you can transform it into your greatest gift.

The course comes with 6 modules and combines astrology with psychology, self-inquiry and other self-development approaches.

Every Wednesday you will explore how each Chiron archetype plays out in your natal chart. Every Saturday you will explore a different psychological perspective of Chiron.

  • In the 1st week (from April 25th until May 1st) you will learn about the 1st Chiron archetype “The wounded healer”. You will identify your deepest wound, based on the position of Chiron in your natal chart.
  • In the 2nd week (from May 2nd until May 8th) you will explore the 2nd Chiron archetype “The Shaman”. You will learn what a ‘healing crisis’ is, and what the best approaches to heal your wound are.
  • In the 3rd week (from May 9th until May 15th) you will dive into the 3rd Chiron archetype “The Alchemist”. Here you will discover what Chiron in Aries has to say about your unique gift.

On Wednesday 25th April you will receive the first module of the course, together with your first exercises and assignments. As a bonus, at the end of each module, you will receive a Chiron meditation (tailored to the content of the course) to guide you throughout your journey.

The course ends on May 15th, the day when Uranus, the planet of freedom and liberation changes signs and moves into Taurus. There is no coincidence the course ends with Uranus starting a new journey in the zodiac. The highest expression of Chiron is Uranus. By completing the course on a Uranus day, you will allow yourself to start a new chapter of your life, in freedom and liberation.

Click here to find out more details about the course and decide whether it is a good fit for you: Chiron – Your Deepest Wound, Your Greatest Gift Email Course

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New Moon in Aries – Connecting the Dots

New Moon in Aries – freedom and liberation

The New Moon in Aries takes place on Sunday, 15 April at 26° Aries.

This New Moon in Aries will surprise you, enlighten you, and might just change your life. It will first shake you, and then it will set you free.

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac – Aries energy is initiating and empowering. The journey of the zodiac starts with Aries. Aries is when we break away from the ‘oneness’ of Pisces and choose the manifest the divine in a unique way. My way. Your way.

Aries is the ‘Start before you’re ready’ energy. Action, impulse, expressing your true self, are rewarded when the Sun shines from Aries. The New Moon in Aries will bring the clarity you need to act according to your agenda. No time for hesitation!

The New Moon in Aries is closely conjunct Uranus, the planet of freedom and surprises. Uranus is, in fact, the signature of this New Moon, so expect the unexpected!

I was in Costa Rica, coming back from the jungle to catch my flight back to Europe. I was in the middle of nowhere, with no network connection, and could see no way to get to the airport in time to catch my flight. When I was losing all my hope, a taxi appeared out of nowhere literally in the last minute. I was saved!

A New Moon conjunct Uranus is just like the taxi that comes when you least expected it. Like that text message you receive when you thought it’s all over. Like that email in your inbox landing with an offer that you just can’t refuse.

Mercury goes direct

Mercury is going direct on the same day. So we have two reasons to celebrate: the beginning of a new cycle of manifestation (the New Moon) and Mercury direct!

Mercury direct will bring you the must needed clarity. The last three weeks must have been confusing and irritating – Mercury has been retrograde since March 23. Mercury retrograde in Aries brings a lot of irritation because Aries wants to act, but Mercury retrograde cannot keep up with Aries’ effervescence.

When Mercury is retrograde, it is in fact, crossing the same area of the sky three times, asking you to revisit, and revisit… and revisit the same topics, over and over again, until you gain a new perspective, until you ‘get it’.

Mercury going direct at the time of the New Moon is a promise. Is a promise that this time you can get it right.

Even if everything seems wrong, you still have a chance to make it right. Yes, change is possible, even when you lose all the hope.

You already know the truth

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary”

Steve Jobs

You may be familiar with the Steve Jobs’ story. Despised by many, Steve was a man who lived his truth and created something outstanding not only for his times but for generations to come. He was not successful from the beginning – in fact, he lost everything several times. But in the spirit of true Aries entrepreneurship (he had Mars and Moon in Aries), he started again, and again, and again. Every new beginning was a little bit different. And then he finally ‘connected the dots’. The rest is history.

There are few lessons we can learn from Steve Jobs that resonate with the energy of the New Moon in Aries:

  • Follow your heart and intuition “you already know what you want to become”

  • The so-called normality does not define you – “don’t be trapped by dogma”

  • Live your own truth – ‘everything else is secondary’

  • Be persistent: start again, again, and again… but don’t repeat the same mistake twice

  • Be open-minded – when you start again, start with a beginner’s mind

  • Embrace your failures – your biggest pain can be in fact your greatest gift

With Uranus, you HAVE to beam your light out. Go for your truth, even if you are not prepared for what’s next. Trust the divine insight.

Clarity comes from engagement, not thought. Clarity doesn’t come from doing more of the same thing, nor from doing the same thing over and over again. It comes from you being fully present. It comes from connecting to your heart, to that divine spark of light. That insight that will show you exactly what you need to know.

New Moon in Aries Connecting the Dots

We are living interesting times

The New Moon happens just a few days before Chiron moves into Aries and is the last New Moon in Aries to take place before Uranus moves into Taurus.

“May you live interesting times” is one of the most severe Chinese curses. It definitely doesn’t sound like a curse, at least not by Western standards. But there is a deeper meaning to it. We all know that right not there is an abundance of choices everywhere. There is so much we can achieve – in terms of finances, career, education, traveling, relationships and even spirituality. All this abundance of choice leads to lack of clarity. Hence, the curse. Scientists have backed this up – when we have too much choice, our brain gets confused and we become unhappy.

Uranus in Aries has brought a lot of chaos, and also a lot of opportunities. Now, that we are moving towards the end of the transit, you may wonder “What was this all about? What does it mean to me?”

You may feel an urge to get things straight, to make it right. Before a chapter of your life closes, you want to enter a new chapter of your life ‘in good standing’. You want to feel that you have done your best.

But you may not know what exactly you need to do, what exactly you should focus on, what it is that you need to ‘fix’.

The New Moon in Aries will bring you the breakthrough and the clarity you were waiting for.

Clarity comes when you least expect it

You can get whatever you want if you open yourself to the possibilities which are found beyond what the mind thinks it’s possible. In that place of light, freedom, ultimate love and higher awareness – there is an answer to everything. Possibilities are endless.

The insight always comes, but it comes when you least expect it.

And there is a reason for that. Imagine you anxiously wait for an answer, for a specific outcome. In that space of anticipation, you are in fact trying to frame your reality. How can the divine light come to you? Even if it comes, you will not be able to see it, because you focus all your energy somewhere else.

The divine insight can ONLY come when you least expect it. It is only when your mind is free of expectations, that impossible becomes possible.

Through imagination, a lost opportunity is regained

The Sabian symbol of the New Moon is “Through imagination, a lost opportunity is regained”. What a great metaphor for this New Moon in Aries, featuring Uranus and Mercury going direct!

When Mercury changes course things change their course as well. You have the chance to revisit something from the past and ‘make it right’. But if you want a different outcome, you have to approach it differently. Imagination is the best way to create new possibilities.

The mind must first ‘imagine’ what will then be able sooner or later to actually experience.

Uranus is the higher octave of Mercury, representing the higher intellect, the genius trapped inside each one of us, the divine quality of your mind. You can manifest whatever you put your mind to! If you can dream it, you can do it.

Uranus wants to liberate your mind from dogmas so you can think different. Think about a lost opportunity. Something you wanted to have a different outcome. Can you imagine different ways of approaching it? When you get clear about the outcome you are expecting, you can find endless ways of getting there!

New Moon in Aries – What does it mean for you

A shift has already taken place. You know you can no longer ignore it.

The New Moon in Aries is closely linked to Uranus’s transit in Aries. Reflect on the last 7 years of your life – what are the major themes? The New Moon in Aries will be the “final act”, the conclusion, your greatest insight.

Imagine you read a novel – each chapter introduces a new character. In the last chapter of the book, all characters come together. The dots get connected. The big picture is revealed. Same with your life.  If you want to understand the deeper meaning, you have to go through all the chapters of your life, in order.

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever”

Steve Jobs

You will feel the energy of the New Moon stronger if you have planets or angles around 26° Aries, Libra, Cancer of Capricorn.

You can find more information about New and Full Moons here

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Astrology of April 2018 – Chiron in Aries, Saturn and Pluto Go Retrograde

Astrology of April 2018 Highlights

April is one of the most intense months of the year. Chiron changes signs, we have three planetary stations, and Mars makes conjunctions with the ‘bad guys’ of the zodiac, Saturn and Pluto.

Things start to precipitate around mid-April when Mercury changes course, Chiron moves into Aries starting a new journey around the zodiac, and Saturn goes retrograde. Your will will be tested! The best thing you can do is to go with the change and commit to it.

End of April brings some well-deserved relief. The Full Moon on April 30 is one of the best full moons of the year. Your strength and determination will be rewarded, in the end, so stay strong!

Let’s have a look at the most important aspects of the month:

April 2018

1 April 2018 – 7 April 2018

On April 1 Mercury is conjunct the Sun. Every time retrograde Mercury makes a conjunction to the Sun, a new Mercury cycle starts. So even if Mercury is still retrograde, Mercury conjunct Sun is a good time to initiate a new project.

In the next 2 weeks, focus on formulating your objective (not on launching your idea to the world!).

If you want to dig deeper into Mercury’ cycles check out an article I wrote on Mercury cycles.

On April 2 Mars is conjunct Saturn. This can be a frustrating transit and you may feel that the whole world is against you! When things get tough, remember how diamonds are made. Just like the carbon needs to survive an immense amount of pressure to become a diamond, so do we need to go through some difficult experiences in order to develop our maximum potential. If you want your true beauty to shine through, remember that every test like this will make you stronger.

On April 4 Mercury is square Mars. The frustration that has been building up over the last week will reach a tipping point. Try to stay away from verbal quarrels if you can. Remember Mercury is still retrograde and you may not have the full picture.

8 April 2018 – 15 April 2018

On April 10 Sun is square Pluto and Venus is trine Mars.

What happens when you go for what you want? As long as what you want is also what others want, you will most likely get it. But when what you want goes against what the world wants, you will encounter hostility.

This might sound obvious, but whenever we want something badly we forget about this basic truth. Sun square Pluto is a test of your inner power. You may get what you want, but you will have to pay the price. How far is “too far”? This is a question to ponder upon during this transit.

On April 15 we have a New Moon in Aries. This is the most unpredictable New Moons of the year because it is in a tight conjunction to Uranus, the planet of surprises.

To make things even more interesting, on the same day Mercury goes direct!

This is great news, especially for Gemini and Virgo ascendants who will feel a sense of relief. However, with Mercury stationing plus strong Uranus – expect the unexpected!

You will most likely find out something that will shock you, especially if you have planets in the last degrees of Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) or around 4° Aries.

16 April 2018 – 22 April 2018

On April 16 Venus in Taurus is opposite Jupiter in Scorpio. An opposition is an intense, challenging transit. On the other hand, Venus and Jupiter are the most positive planets of the zodiac. With Venus opposite Jupiter, you can choose to enjoy this ‘friction’ and indulge yourself in pleasurable experiences. Or you can find that no matter what how much you have, you “can’t get no satisfaction”.

Whatever you go for, it is likely you will question your deep-rooted values (Venus in Taurus) and seek a deeper meaning in your life (Jupiter in Scorpio). Venus opposite Jupiter is about striving to find the balance between material pleasure and spiritual pursuits.

On April 17 Saturn goes retrograde. You have done a lot since Saturn moved into Capricorn in December 2017. Now is time for your first revision.

Think about what has changed in your life in the last months. Do you see any patterns? Can you identify any lessons? Can you see where you need to work harder (or smarter) to turn your goals into reality?

On April 18 Chiron moves into Aries. This is one of the most important transits of the year. Chiron hasn’t changed signs since 2010! This transit is particularly important because Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, so Chiron ‘starts again’ a new cycle of healing.

If you have been stuck with your pain for a while, Chiron’s move into Aries is good news! Now you have the chance to start again, to leave behind any wound you haven’t been able to heal, no matter how hard you tried. Chiron in Aries will show you a new perspective and will open new doors of healing for you.

In the same day, Sun is conjunct Uranus. Uranus is the higher end of Chiron’s expression. Sun conjunct Uranus on the same day of Chiron’s entrance in Aries is a promise that Chiron in Aries is truly about the liberation of the self.

In the coming years, you have the chance to leave behind the Saturnian expression of Chiron and embrace the more evolved, liberating expression of the Uranian expression of Chiron.

On April 20, the Sun enters Taurus. Happy birthday to all Taurus out there! As nature starts to bloom, we feel that same need. We want to take concrete steps in improving our lives.

Taurus is all about concrete steps and concrete results. If in the Aries season we felt inspired to take action, now is the time to make it happen. Take advantage of this energy! Taurus will give you all the practical intelligence and stamina you need.

On April 22 Pluto is stationary retrograde. Whenever a slow-moving planet like Pluto changes direction, we feel the energy of the planet stronger than ever.

Pluto always brings transformation. If you resist it, Pluto will bring fear, anxiety, and obsessions. It is normal to find it difficult to detach from the past, so don’t be hard on yourself during this transit.

But try to remember that what seems to be an ending, is always just a new beginning. You may not be seeing it yet, but trust that the universe always works in your favor!

23 April 2018 – 30 April 2018

On April 24 Venus moves into Gemini. No matter what your Venus natal placement is, you will become a little bit more chatty and experimental during the next few weeks.

You will find more pleasure in reading, learning, trying out different things, reaching out to the world.

If your natal Venus is in Gemini, a new Venus cycle will start for you, bringing new opportunities in the sectors of relationships and finances.

On April 26 Mars is conjunct Pluto in Capricorn. This transit is as intense as you can get! I cannot think of anything more intense than this.

Pluto is the most intense planets out there, although you may not always see it like that. Pluto is like a cooker under pressure. It’s like the lava waiting to erupt. You may not see what is going on – but with Pluto, you bet there is A LOT going on! Pluto just changed directions a few days ago and is stronger than ever.

And here comes Mars, the planet of action. Mars will stir the cooker under pressure even more… so it might be that this time you will make a mess in the kitchen. Instead of getting upset, think about what it is that you have been trying to suppress in your life. That part of you is alive and will always come back to haunt you until you learn how to tame it.

On April 30, we have a Full Moon in Scorpio. This is one of the best full Moons of the year because it makes some great aspects to Saturn, Jupiter, and Neptune.

Yes, you’ve worked hard (Full Moon sextile Saturn) and now the Universe will reward you with something truly special (Full Moon conjunct Jupiter and trine Neptune). Take it, you deserve it!

You will especially benefit from this transit if you have personal planets or angles around 9° Taurus or Scorpio.

April is not an easy month, but knowing what’s coming up will help you better handle these intense energies. Make sure you mark your calendar with the most important transits so you can keep track of them.

 

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Full Moon in Libra – The Wisdom to Know the Difference

Full Moon in Libra – Freedom or Fairness?

We have a Full Moon in Libra on March 31st. This is the 2nd Full Moon in March and takes place at 11° Libra.

The Full Moon is the most intense phase of the lunar cycle and brings two opposite elements (Libra and Aries) into our awareness.

Aries-Libra axis stands for the self, action, assertion, autonomy (Aries) and ‘the other’, compromise, cooperation, fairness (Libra).

Full Moon in Libra

Associated with the 1st/7th houses, Aries-Libra is a cardinal axis describing the struggle to find a balance between personal freedom, the courage to express oneself, and the support and fairness we need from others.

Because the Full Moon is in Libra, the Libra side of the axis will come into focus. The Full Moon will challenge Aries’ autonomy and will strive to come with a better, thought through, solution.

Full Moon in Libra – it’s Tough, but it’s Worth it

The Full Moon in Libra makes mainly challenging aspects, forming a T-square in Cardinal signs.

The Full Moon is opposite Mercury retrograde in Aries and squares Mars and Saturn in Capricorn.

With so much tension and cardinal energy, this is not an easy Full Moon so prepare to be shaken.

The good thing is that the ruler of the Full Moon, Venus just entered her domicile Taurus and is applying a trine to Mars, the ruler of Aries.

There is hope after all. If you manage to integrate the energy of the T-square, the rewards will come eventually.

A Cardinal T-square is a test of our perseverance and a reminder that when most people fail, the secret of success is to keep on trying.

Mercury Retrograde, Mars and Saturn

The most important aspect of the Full Moon is an opposition to Mercury retrograde, who is challenging Sun’s bold expression of the self. Mercury retrograde will ask the Sun to rethink the notions of courage, self-expression, and autonomy.

Mercury retrograde is about integrating the latest lessons and finding a better way of doing things.

There must be a better way to stand up for yourself, take action, and tell the world who you are, and Mercury retrograde is now inviting you to explore it!

Mars and Saturn in Capricorn stand for perseverance, for forceful action and inner power. When everything around crumbles, Mars and Saturn in Capricorn stay there, to fight until the end.

Both Mars and Saturn feel good in Capricorn. Mars is exalted in Capricorn – and is more determined and focused than ever. And Saturn is in domicile in Capricorn – this is where he can take his time to reach the top and turn dreams into tangible realities. Yes, Mars and Saturn are not easy energies to work with, but right now, you can make them work in your favor.

The Full Moon is a time to reset, re-do, and try harder. If things don’t go as planned, maybe is time to re-adjust and try a different approach. But it is not, by all means a time to give up!

The Full Moon in Libra is about understanding that when things don’t work as planned, it’s time to change the plan. It is a reminder that despite any failure, you haven’t lost the war. Keep the long-term vision in mind, make the necessary changes, and most important – don’t give up!

What is going on in your life at the moment, where do you feel frustrated and tempted to give up? At this Full Moon, make a commitment to give it one more try. Can you think of a different approach to try out?

Full Moon in Libra – the Wisdom to ‘Know the Difference’

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can change, and the wisdom to know the difference”

I love this quote because it captures the essence of human existence. Do we have free will? Or is everything predetermined?

Yes, there are times when we need to accept fate and understand that there are higher forces at work, that the Universe has a higher plan in mind which transcends our individual choices.

This is when we should accept what happens and let destiny take its course.

But there are also times when you can choose. When you can overcome the struggles you are faced with. You do have free will. The free will comes with a condition though. You need to push through your existing limitations and have the courage to step out of your comfort zone.

Free will does not mean you are granted something. It means you can make use of your inner power and determination to change the status quo.

And now comes the big question: “and have the wisdom to know the difference”. How can we know the difference?

Wisdom is very Libran. Libra has a great ability to weigh facts, pros, and cons and come with the best possible solution.

Libras make the best judges, military leaders, and strategists because they simply ‘know’ the difference, more exactly they have the ability to understand the opposing forces at play. When other signs go with their head (air and earth signs), with their heart (water signs) or with their intuition (fire signs), a Libra stays level-headed, understands that the truth is somewhere in the middle, and makes the best possible decision.

Fate or Free Will?

Now coming back to the big question: how to know the difference between fate and free will?

As a rule of thumb, whenever we have transits to outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto), fate is stronger than free will. This is when we need to let go and surrender to a higher power.

This is also usually the case when we have transits in mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). Mutable signs bring endings and changes from one state of being to another.

On the other hand, whenever we have transits to personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) and to a lesser extent, to Jupiter and Saturn, life IS under our control. We can take the lead, we can make changes.

Also, when we have transits in Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) we have more free will. That’s because the cardinal sings are very initiating. Things are just starting to unfold and we still have time to make adjustments.

Because the Full Moon makes aspects to Mercury, Mars, and Saturn and is in Cardinal signs, the Full Moon in Libra is such a time when you CAN change your circumstances.

This is the time when you have the wisdom to know (Libra) that life is under your control and have the courage (Aries) to step outside your comfort zone and make the necessary changes.

Yes, life can be challenging at times. Yes, life can feel like a never-ending series of difficulties. But if you want to succeed, if you want to fulfill your potential, if you want to live a life of integrity, try harder. Persevere. When you lose all hope, remember it is never too late to give it one more try. The Full Moon in Libra is one of those times.

You can find other 2018 full moon blogs on the New and Full Moons 2018 page.

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Chiron in Aries 2018-2027 – You are Here for a Reason

Chiron in Aries 2018 – 2027

Chiron in Aries transit is one of the most important events of 2018. Chiron will enter Aries on 18 April 2018 and will leave Aries on 14 April 2027.

Chiron goes retrograde on 5 July 2018 and moves back into Pisces from 26 September 2018 to 18 February 2019.

During its long stay in Aries, Chiron does not make any major aspects with slow-moving planets. This means that Chiron will express itself freely, in all its might.

The only aspects Chiron makes to slow-moving planets are a conjunction to Jupiter in 2023 and a conjunction to the North Node in 2024.

Both Jupiter and the North Node are related to growth and expansion.

Chiron, Jupiter and the North Node in Aries will bring opportunities to heal our identity. The awareness of self-healing will increase. In the coming years, we will have more healers, shamans and energy workers.

We can have a boost of spiritual movements between 2023-2024. More people will choose to leave behind the old identification of the self and embrace a new identity, a new name, a new outlook on life. “Born again” movements can intensify.

If you are born between 1969 and 1977 you will have your Chiron return.

A Chiron return always takes place around the age of 50.

This is one of the major milestones in one’s life. It is associated with a healing crisis. Around this age, you become less concerned with the material pursuits and more interested in immaterial, spiritual pursuits.

Chiron – the Key to the Zodiac

Chiron has an irregular orbit and spends more time in some signs than in others. Chiron can transit a sign from anywhere between 1,5 years to 9 years. Chiron spends the most time in Pisces and Aries (8 to 9 years).

This is interesting because Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and Aries the first sign of the zodiac.

Chiron spends the most time in these two signs because this is where he has to work hardest. Connecting the end of everything (Pisces) to the beginning of all possibilities (Aries) is not an easy task, but if there is someone that can embark on this journey, that is Chiron.

In this way, Chiron acts like a link between the unconscious and the conscious, between materiality and immateriality.

The same theme (of linking two different realms of existence) emerges if we study Chiron’s orbit.

Chiron orbits between Saturn (the last visible planet) and Uranus (the first transpersonal planet). By orbiting between Saturn and Uranus, Chiron links our personal experience to the collective experience.

Last but not least, the duality is also linked to mythology. Chiron was a Centaurus – half God, half horse, signifying the animal and the God coming together in one entity.

Whenever Chiron triggers your natal chart by transit, a healing crisis occurs.

Ultimately, Chiron’s role is to break, but also to put back together different forms of existence.

Chiron is the alchemist of the zodiac. Chiron breaks everything only to find a higher, a superior order.

Chiron in Aries – the Identity Wound

Chiron in Aries is where you feel you don’t have the right to be yourself. Aries is concerned exactly with the affirmation of the self but Chiron will challenge this affirmation of the self, with the purpose of finding a higher order.

Aries is the 1st sign of the zodiac – is all about the individual, about impulse, passion, instinct, “Me first” attitude.

Aries in where we assert ourselves, where we go for what we want, where we draw borders to express our uniqueness.

Aries is the very first sprout to emerge from the soil in the spring, choosing life, choosing to ‘get out there’ into the world and express itself.

Chiron is where we feel wounded, ashamed, broken and inadequate.

Chiron will challenge Aries’ expression of the self, expression of individuality.

Chiron in Aries is about the greatest wounds of all – the wound of identity.

The wound of identity is when we feel we don’t have the right to exist. This is the most painful wounds of all because it is the most difficult to grasp.

We are all born with the wound of identity. When we are babies, we hardly have an identity. We are the result of the genetic makeup of our parents.

As we grow up, if our self-expression is encouraged, we slowly develop our unique identity.

But it’s not easy. Our parents may – rightly so – see us as an extension of themselves, and may have difficulties in acknowledging that we are a different human being. It is not their fault! They do this because they want to protect us.

But trying to force the child to become anything else but what they were born to be, is incredibly damaging to the sense of the child’s self. Stifling a child’s individuality is more damaging on long-term than neglect and even violence.

People who have the most challenging forms of psychosis usually come from upbringings where they were not allowed to be themselves, to express their uniqueness.

Symptoms of the identity wound

  • “I am nobody” – an overall feeling of emptiness and disconnection
  • “I am not enough” – a desire to “prove” oneself
  • “If I don’t fit in, I don’t exist” – a desire to be liked by everyone
  • A tendency to copy other people, but at the same time a lack of defining role models
  • A desire to get unnoticed, a fear of expressing one’s opinions and beliefs
  • Difficulty to connect with one’s body or feelings
  • …or on the contrary, a desperation to prove one’s uniqueness by behaving odd, or by adopting a strange appearance or mannerism
  • A tendency to hurt oneself, physically or psychologically – self-inflicted wounds, abuse of drugs and medication, feeling ‘numb’

How to Overcome the Wound of Identity with Chiron in Aries

What can you do about your feelings of worthlessness? Can the wound of identity be healed?

No achievement, no money or glory can heal this wound – because being you is not about becoming something you are not, but is about learning to accept that it is OK to be you!

Chiron in Aries 2018 transit

Chiron in Aries will ask us to address and heal – once and for all – the wound of identity, a wound that we are all born with.

Chiron in Aries is about taking responsibility for your existence, is about being present with your wounds, with your pain and with your shame.

Show yourself despite the pain. You are going to feel it, no doubt. But no matter what, you need to show yourself, do what you need to do, take a step forward, to BE YOU.

You are Here for a Reason

Your existence is the very proof you deserve to BE. There is a reason why out of billions of genetic possibilities, it was YOU who made it.

Yes, not only you have the right to exist, but you are here for a reason. You were born with a unique mission.

You were born to express the divine in your unique way, to live through your unique gifts, talents, and skills. You are much more than you think. The stars, the whole universe collided so you could be here today.

“I finally found my real name
I won’t be me when you see me again
No, I won’t be my father’s son

I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
More than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible
U2 – Invisible”

When you allow your true self to shine through, there is no more pain, there is no more wound. You achieve self-realization.

Self-realization happens when all the broken parts of you come together to form a whole.

But you need to put ALL these parts together. Yes, even those you are ashamed of. They are part of you too, they are part of your story.

By allowing them to exist, you allow yourself to exist. And this is how you find the key, the higher order, the higher meaning of your existence.

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New Moon In Pisces – We’re In This Together

New Moon in Pisces 17 March 2018

We have a bittersweet New Moon in Pisces at 26° on Saturday, March 17th 2018.

The closest aspect the New Moon makes is a conjunction to Chiron, the wounded healer. Chiron has been in Pisces for 8 years now. Chiron will leave Pisces to move into Aries as of April 18th 2018.

We are now delving into the last lessons of Chiron in Pisces, and this lesson is particularly important, because the New Moon will bring it to the surface, whether we like it or not.

A New Moon is the magical moment when the two luminaries, the most important bodies in the sky – the Sun and the Moon – come together to start a new chapter, to write a new story.

We have a New Moon in Pisces only once in a year. Only once we are given the opportunity to delve into the waters of Pisces, to explore a whole universe, mysterious and neverending.

Pisces is the trickiest sign to describe – they are the chameleon of the zodiac.

Pisces absorb the energy around them. Whatever you are feeling, they are feeling too. And if you don’t feel a thing, they don’t either! Because they have a strange ability to become one with the world around them, Pisces can be everything or nothing.

New Moon in Pisces 2018

New Moon in Pisces is Conjunct Chiron, the Wounded Healer

Pisces is the sign of the sacrifice.

In this regard, Pisces and Chiron have quite a bit in common.

Maybe you are familiar with the archetype of Chiron, the wounded healer.

The archetype comes from an episode from the famous Greek legend, when Hercules accidentally shoots Chiron with a poisonous arrow coated with the blood of Hydra.

Arrows coated with the blood of Hydra were known to cause painful wounds that would never heal. But because Chiron was immortal, he could never die. But he was also not able to heal.

That’s why Chiron in your natal chart shows that wound that never heals. Chiron’s wounds are not your fault, they are not the result of your bad actions. Chiron had to suffer simply because he was born immortal. Chiron is that wound you cannot do anything about.

But there is a twist to Chiron’s story. Ultimately, the Gods agree to release Chiron from suffering and let him die, by allowing him to replace Prometheus on the mountain Tartarus.

Upon his death, Chiron was released from his wound that would never heal and honored with the constellation of Centaurus, one of the largest constellations in the sky.

When Chiron gave up his immortality, ironically – he became immortal.

Your deepest wounds may never heal, but they eventually become your greatest gifts, your legacy, what you leave behind for generations to come.

By embracing your wounds, you allow them to become part of you, by owning them, they stop having power over you.

In Pisces, personal wounds become universal wounds. There is no more “my pain” or “your pain” but the pain we all share, the pain of the universe and all that dwells therein.

Chiron in Pisces and the Illusion of Separation

And the beauty of this is that in sharing the pain with the world, the illusion of separation disappears. In pain, as well as in love, there is no more “me”, there is no more “you”, there is only “us”.

Healing happens when you strip down the ego to become one with the world. Healing is being on the same wavelength as the universe.

When you meditate for example and focus on your breath, you are in fact aligning your natural rhythm (inhalation, exhalation) with the rhythm of the universe (expansion contraction).

Arts, dancing, listening to music are nothing else but our attempts to be on the same frequency with the universe. It is in that space of connectedness where your broken parts can come together, where healing is possible.

The New Moon in Pisces is about being together – in pain, in pleasure, in vitality, in sickness – caring about each other.

The New Moon in Pisces is not only conjunct Chiron, but also square Mars and trine Jupiter.

The square to Mars – who is now in the last degree of Sagittarius – is tough, and it hurts.

When something bleeds, it requires your immediate attention. Mars can tear apart your soul and your self-identification (you ego), but fortunately you are not left alone in this struggle.

Jupiter, the co-ruler of the New Moon, applies a beautiful trine aspect to the New Moon. There is hope after all. Healing will come, eventually.

How to Heal the Chironic Wound

Many of us have experienced the pain of separation during Chiron’s stay in Pisces. In the past 8 years, Chiron showed us where we find it difficult to connect with the world at large.

The pain of separation is when no matter what you do, you cannot connect with the world, when no matter how hard you try, something inside of you is “off”.

Chiron in Pisces has been asking us to heal the wound of separation, by learning to be vulnerable, to trust others, to connect with the world from a place of authenticity and truth.

Pain can be healed if you immerse into it, if you let yourself go. Remember, separation is only an illusion.

If you’ve been resisting the process, the New Moon in Pisces is your chance to make peace with your wound of separation.

If you have embraced your wound, the New Moon is the time to put it into use. How can you bring the awareness, the healing that came with it, to the next level?

Trent Reznor, the leadsinger of NIN (and a Chiron in Pisces native) captured beautifully the pain – and the bliss – of Chiron in Pisces.

“The farther I fall I’m beside you
As lost as I get I will find you
The deeper the wound I’m inside you
For ever and ever I’m a part of

You and me
We’re in this together now
We will make it through somehow
You and me
If the world should break in two
Until the very end of me
Until the very end of you

NIN – We’re in this together

How the New Moon in Pisces Will Affect You

You will feel the energy of the New Moon stronger if you have planets between 26°-29° in mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces).

The energy of the New Moon will feel familiar to you if Chiron plays an important role in you natal chart (is conjunct Sun, Moon or chart ruler).

Have a look at which house in your natal chart the New Moon takes place to see which area of your life needs healing.

You can find other 2018 new moon blogs on the New and Full Moons 2018 page.

Listen to the New Moon In Pisces – We’re In This Together below

You can find other weekly astrology podcasts by Astro Butterfly on the Weekly Astro Butterfly Astrology Podcast page.

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Triple Conjunction: Mercury Venus Chiron in Pisces – Invisible Ties

On March 4th we have a rare alignment: Mercury, Venus and Chiron meet up at 27° Pisces. On the same day, just few hours earlier, we have another exact alignment: Sun conjunct Neptune at 13° Pisces.

This is a lot of Piscean energy to deal with. Let’s go back for a moment to the symbolism of Pisces. The Pisces symbol is two fish tied together by a rope. Yet, the two fish swim (or at least, try to swim) in completely different directions – one swimming toward individuality, and the other towards universality.

Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, a symbol for a journey that has come to an end. At the crossroads, we have two choices: to go back into the material realm and restart the cycle or incarnations, or to leave behind the material realm to become one with the spirit.

Pisces does not give us the answer to this struggle, it simply depicts the struggle of having one foot in the ‘real’ world and the other in the invisible world. Wherever you have Pisces in your natal chart, that is a place of restlessness and ambivalence.

Now let’s have a closer look at the triple conjunction – Venus, Mercury and Chiron at 27° Pisces.

Triple conjunctions (three planets lined up at the same degree of the zodiac) are very rare and therefore highly significant. What makes this conjunction special is the link to Chiron. Chiron will move in Aries on April 17th so this is the last time Chiron meets up with Venus and Mercury in the last sign of the zodiac for the next 50 years.

The ‘key’ to understanding this triple conjunction is Chiron itself. Mercury and Venus are personal planets and they are much more accessible to us.

Mercury represents our mind, how we make sense of the world around us, how we communicate with others, how we express ourselves.

Venus represents how we relate to others, how we make connections with the outside world. If Mercury is concerned strictly with exchange of information, Venus wants to make something valuable with this information – to establish exchanges, to negotiate, to give and take.

That’s why Venus is not only connected to love and beauty, but also with money and possessions. Venus is our unit of value exchange.

Therefore, Mercury and Venus coming together are concerned with exchange of information (Mercury) about what we value, about what is important to us (Venus).

Chiron is a different ‘animal’ altogether and probably the most cryptic astrological significator in one’s chart. While Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (the transpersonal planets) are even more enigmatic than Chiron, they are completely inaccessible to us. Chiron comes with the potential to be – at least to a certain extent – grasped within the limitations of the human mind.

To understand the nature of Chiron we need to keep in mind that Chiron orbits between Saturn and Uranus. Saturn is the most material planet, the last planet visible with a naked eye. Saturn represents the highest form of our ‘mortal’ existence.

Uranus on the other hand is on a higher order. Uranus breaks free from the limitations of the material world – Uranus represents liberation from the chains of what is holding us down here on Earth.

Chiron is therefore KEY, the link between the world as we know and the higher realm of consciousness.

Chiron rules our DNA, which is nothing more than the ‘code’ passed down from one generation to another. This code represents that part of us that never dies, that information that cannot be destroyed. When nothing else is left of our bodies, we still live through our children, a part of us is still manifesting and unfolding with each coming generation.

The reason we keep on passing on a part of ourselves is to bring the potential of our human existence to the highest possible form of manifestation. 

And that’s why Chiron is connected to the concept of Gifts. Only the strongest sequences or our DNA are passed on to the next generations, so they can become stronger and stronger, and come closer and closer to ‘perfection’.

But until we learn how to integrate this genetic information that has been passed on to us and to bring it to a higher order of manifestation (the Uranian side of Chiron), Chironian gifts can feel like wounds.

The enigmatic “Las Meninas” by Velazquez is one of the most important paintings of the all time.

Las_Meninas,_by_Diego_Velázquez Chiron

The painting depicts a scene from the Spanish court of king Philip IV. The young princess in the center of the scene is Infanta Margaret, the daughter of the king and queen of Spain and the heiress to the throne. Apparently, the whole scene and all the characters revolve around the little princess.

If we look more closely however, we notice a painting in the background of the scene showing the king and the queen of Spain who are the little princess’ parents. If we take an even closer look, we notice that this is not a painting, but a mirror. The mirror in fact shows a reflection from the painting Velazquez (the painter in the left side) is working on. He is actually painting the royal couple!

The main character of the scene is not Infanta Margaret anymore, but her parents. The royal couple is posing in front of the scene as Velazques paints them, while their daughter and several other characters watch. The painting therefore shows their view of the scene. Of the nine figures depicted, five are looking directly out at the royal couple. Their glances which seek for approval, affirm the royal couple’s presence and potency. 

The painting was commissioned by the king himself. He chose not to have himself or the queen painted. At least at the first sight, they are missing from the artwork. However, if we dig deeper and understand the cryptic composition of the scene, we understand that they are the ones in the center of everything. Their power is unquestionable. Their power is what gives everything meaning.

But again, the painting says more than that. Although the royal couple’s power is unquestionable, they are merely a reflection in the mirror. The future is in front of them. Infanta Margaret, the future Queen of Spain, will pass on their power to the next generations. Infanta is still a child, and although she doesn’t have yet any real authority, she has the promise of power encoded in her genes.

The triple conjunction between Mercury, Venus and Chiron will give us ‘access’ to one of our gifts. As we described earlier, Mercury and Venus are accessible planets. They will bring to our awareness Chiron’s otherwise cryptic information.

Just as Las Meninas becomes more and more accessible to us as we look at it, some highly important pieces of information about who we are, and what we are meant to become in this lifetime, will be revealed to us.

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Astrology of March 2018 – Triple conjunction Venus, Mercury, Chiron and Mercury Goes Retrograde

March is a very intense month: we have two Full Moons, a triple conjunction between Venus, Mercury and Chiron, and two planets – Mercury and Jupiter – stationing retrograde.

Imagine a room full of Aries people. There are some other signs out there as well, but Aries definitely outnumbers everyone. Ah -and there is no single Aquarian in the room.

This is what March is going to feel like – we have a lot of fire and cardinal energy, and almost no air and fixed energy. This translates into tons of passion and energy, at the expense of reason and objective, long term thinking.

This means that in March your desire to start new things, to embark in new adventures, to do what it feels right for YOU is stronger than ever. As long as you genuinely tap into your deepest longings and desires, you are going to do well. March is a good time to start solo projects as opposed to teamwork or collaborations.

March

March starts with a beautiful Full Moon at 11° Virgo. This Full Moon is highly romantic and will bring optimism, inspiration and creative ideas. Allow yourself to go with the flow and indulge in whatever it is that you love. Some opportunities that come to you may seem too good to be true! But consider that maybe – just maybe – this is your lucky day.

March 4th is one of the most important days of the year. By definition, whenever we have conjunctions, things start to precipitate, and events happen. On March 4th we have a record of 5 planets merging energies: Sun is conjunct Neptune at 13° Pisces and Mercury, Venus and Chiron all line up at 27° Pisces.

Something important will happen to you today – look up in which house you have Pisces to see what you can expect. No matter which area of your life comes into focus, March 4th will bring a sense of healing and closure.

Philosophically, the truth is to be found where there is a closure of conscious awareness regarding several elements. Truth ’emerges’ when several conditions fit together coherently and make sense as a whole. We know we have found the truth when there is no more gap in knowledge, when a deeper knowledge emerges by fitting all the elements together in the right order and relationship.

In the same way, some broken, some disparate, dissociated parts of yourself can finally come together and fit like a puzzle. In March 4th you can have a profound a-ha moment about who you are and what is the meaning of your existence. Something will finally make sense to you.

On March 6th Mercury enters Aries. Our mind will become more alert, and our decision-making process will become faster. Just make sure you make those big decisions in the first 22 days of the month, because on March 23rd Mercury goes retrograde.

On March 8th Jupiter is the first planet to break the spell of the ‘almost three months with no retrograde planets’ period. Jupiter goes retrograde at 23° Scorpio – look if you have any sensitive point in your chart around this degree because if so, you are going to experience this energy stronger.

Whenever Jupiter changes sign or direction, something ‘big’ happens. Remember when Jupiter entered Scorpio and the Harvey Weinstein scandal erupted in the media? Around March 8th we can expect similar big scale (Jupiter) disclosures (Scoprio).

Look at which area of your natal chart is currently transited by Jupiter – some information related to that topic will come to your attention around March 8th. Now is time to make some adjustments or ‘dig deeper’ into this particular area of your life.

On March 17th Mars enters Capricorn. This is good news and bad news. The good news is that Mars is in exaltation in Capricorn, which means he feels good here. Mars in Capricorn is brave, bold, militaristic, determined and hard working. Even the laziest of us will find it easier than usual to bring projects to completion in the next two months.

The bad news is that Mars is joining Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn – Saturn and Pluto are not by any means easy going planets. Mars will most likely want to ignite what Saturn and Pluto have been concocting since December last year, so you can expect some very intense events and experiences in the area of your life where you have Capricorn.

On March 18th Sun is conjunct Chiron at 28° Pisces. This is your opportunity to connect with your inner shaman. You don’t have to be a healer or therapist to embrace the shaman inside you. The shaman is that part of you which can connect effortlessly with nature on all its fronts.

This is the last time we have this conjunction in Pisces – next year the conjunction will take place in Aries, and the next Sun Chiron conjunction will take place 50 years from now! Today is your final chance to embrace a part of yourself you don’t feel naturally comfortable with. Because this aspect takes place right at the end of the zodiac, it will likely bring a completion of some sort.

On March 19th Mercury is conjunct Venus at 16° Aries. This is a good day for communication or verbal expression of any kind. If you have a presentation or a performance today, you are going to be more at ease than usual with your creative expression. Conjunctions in general bring new opportunities so if you have planets or angles around 16° Aries an interesting opportunity can knock at your door.

On March 20th the Sun enters Aries and a new Solar year begins. The New Solar year, or the Equinox takes place at 0° Aries. This is undoubtedly the most potent degree of the zodiac, because this is where the zodiac starts! Anything is possible right now – at 0° we can start afresh, with no strings attached. If the rest of your natal chart further supports it, now is the best time to start something new.

On March 23rd Venus at 21° Aries is square Pluto at 21° Capricorn. This transit is going to be intense! Venus and Pluto are known to bring obsession, jealousy but also tons of passion. The key to navigating Pluto transits is not to try to ‘control’ the events in the external world. If you can do that, you will most likely be able to enjoy the passion and the dramatism of this transit, if not, Venus square Pluto can bring you pain and frustration.

In the same day, Mercury goes retrograde at 16° Aries. As always, avoid stating big projects today, unless you want them to change their course later. If you are bored and you consider breaking up the routine, going on an adventure trip when Mercury goes retrograde can be a great idea! But if this is not what you are necessarily looking for, best to postpone important projects for a few more days at least, or even better, until Mercury goes direct in mid-April.

On March 28th Venus is conjunct Uranus at 27° Aries. Venus and Uranus will aspect each other more than ever this year, especially in October / November when retrograde Venus will spend an unusual amount of time in an opposition to Uranus. If you have planets or angles in the last degrees of Libra or Aries you can expect a lot of surprises this year in the area of relationships.

March ends on the same spectacular note it had begun, with a 2nd Full Moon. The Full Moon on March 31st is at 10° Libra. This Full Moon is much more challenging than the Full Moon we had on March 1st, because it is engaged in a T-square with Mars and Saturn in Capricorn.

Mars and Capricorn are known as the ‘malefics’ in traditional astrology, and it doesn’t help that the two ‘bad guys of the zodiac’ join forces at this powerful time of manifestation. What it does help is that Mars and Saturn are in Capricorn, and both planets feel good in this sign (Saturn is in domicile in Capricorn and Mars is in exaltation).

This means that right now they will most likely show their positive qualities. Mars and Saturn are very determined and efficient in Capricorn so you can expect to get a lot done at the time of the Full Moon (not without effort and obstacles, though). Venus, the ruler of the Full Moon enters its domicile, Taurus, just before the Full Moon so this is another positive aspect that will mitigate the effects of this dramatic Full Moon.

If you have planets or angles around 10° in Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) or around 0° Taurus, you can expect important changes in your life. To see what area of your life will come into focus look in which house you have Libra and Taurus. If you have Aries ascendant for example, the areas of focus will be your relationships (Libra in the 7th house) and your finances (Taurus in your 2nd house).

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Full Moon in Virgo – A Bridge From Heaven To Earth

The first Full Moon of March (yes, we have two Full Moons this month!) happens Thursday, March 1st at 11° Virgo.

Although Virgo is not necessarily the most romantic sign of the zodiac, this particular Full Moon is all about love. That’s because the Moon is opposite Neptune, the planet of higher love and ideals, and because the ruler of the Full Moon, Mercury, is conjunct Venus, the goddess of love and beauty.

bride-groom-veil-fullmoon

Venus and Mercury form a beautiful trine to Jupiter. When Venus and Jupiter, the most auspicious planets come together to form a positive aspect, the world finally becomes a better place to live in.

Right now we also have a stellium of planets in Pisces, the most sensitive and psychic sign of the zodiac.

All these configurations promise a rare Full Moon, infused with the frequencies of love, connection and compassion. Even if you are not in a romantic relationship, even if now, love in any form is missing from your life, you will become more sensitive to these vibrations. You can literally feel that love is all around, if you allow yourself to swim in its wavy waters:

“I feel it in my fingers/

I feel it in my toes/

The love that’s all around me/

And so the feeling grows/

It’s written on the wind/

It’s everywhere I go”

Fortunately, the Full Moon won’t be only about dreaming about love and hiding away from a ‘less ideal’ reality. The Moon will also make a practical trine to Saturn, making sure we keep reality in check.

And let’s not forget that the Full Moon is in Virgo, and we all know that Virgo is responsible, practical and likes to get the work done before play.

Virgo’s love is dependable. For a Virgo, love is not only about butterflies in the stomach. Virgo takes care for the object of its love.

“You know I love you, I always will/

My mind’s made up by the way that I feel/

There’s no beginning, there’ll be no end/

‘Cause on my love you can depend”

Virgo / Pisces is one of the two mutable axis (the other one is Gemini / Sagittarius). Mutable signs are the most flexible and perceptive signs of the zodiac. No other sign can adjust to new circumstances better than mutable signs do!

While Gemini and Sagittarius represent the Yang Mutable axis (this means they prefer to initiate change), Virgo ans Pisces represent the Yin mutable axis, which means they prefer to respond and adapt to change.

Virgo will adapt by finding practical ways to get around circumstances, and Pisces will adapt to them, by tuning into their emotions. Even if Virgo and Pisces moan and complain, no matter how tough life gets, they are better equipped than other signs to not only survive, but also to thrive in adversity.

Thankfully, there is nothing negative for anyone to adjust to this time. Ironically, sometimes what we need to adjust to, is the Good. And adjusting to the Good can be just as difficult as adjusting to the Bad.

If good things start happening to you and you find yourself asking “Is this too good to be true?” just be aware that this might be your natural resistance to change. Especially if you have a lot of fixed energy in your chart, you might find it difficult to relax and believe that some things are indeed good for you.

Pisces is ruled by Neptune and Jupiter – Neptune is about our highest ideals and dreams, and Jupiter is about keeping the faith. Sometimes all you need to do is BELIEVE – believe that life is good, believe that you can have a little bit of magic in your life, believe that miracles are possible.

Triggered by the Moon, the stellium in Pisces becomes the central stage of manifestation of this powerful lunation. Right now there are 5 planets in Pisces. We have the Sun, our individual consciousness. Next to the Sun sits Neptune, our longing to merge with something larger than ourselves.

Next comes Mercury, which represents our mind, how we – rationally – make sense of what is going on around us. Closely by sits Venus, which represents how we relate to others.

Last but not least, we have Chiron which represents our DNA – our gifts, as well as our wounds. These wounds and gifts have been passed down to us from generation to generation to be transcended, so that we – and what we leave behind – can become an even greater masterpiece, and achieve our highest potential possible.

On the other side of the Pisces stellium, the Moon in Virgo will act like a bridge, bringing together the rarefied realm of higher consciousness (Pisces) with the abiding possibilities of nature (Virgo).

And just like the Virgo Moon makes the impossible possible, turns the immaterial into material, creates concrete results out of mere ethereal ideas, right now, you can bring a little bit of Heaven on Earth. Or even better, you can look for and recognize that a little bit of Heaven is already in everyone and everything around you.

“Love breaks down borders; it would even bridge the border between

heaven and earth that God may see our face in consecration.

So what gap now is so wide that love cannot bridge?

For it is not one which heaven has erected,

But it arises from a lack of understanding of the power of love, and

it is one’s understanding of love that needs to be perfected”

Edward Hays

The sabian symbol of the Full Moon in Virgo is “A bride with her veil snatched away” symbolizing full disclosure of what has been kept secret, as well as full appreciation of beauty and purity.

After the wedding ceremony, the groom lifts the veil to symbolically consummate the marriage. Nature resists only to be subdued by the power that transcends her, and while being transcended, nature becomes mystery and spirit in action.

Ultimately, the Full Moon in Virgo will ask us to pierce through the veil, and see the beauty that has always been there for us, waiting to be unveiled, waiting to be appreciated, waiting to be consumed.

You can find other 2018 full moon blog pages on the New and Full Moons 2018 page.

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Solar Eclipse in Aquarius – Me. We

On 15th of February 2018 we have a powerful Solar Eclipse in Aquarius.

The Solar Eclipse completes the Eclipse window that began with the Lunar Eclipse on January 31st, bringing to culmination whatever you put into motion two weeks ago.

A Solar Eclipse sees the light of the Sun obscured by the Moon. We are used to seeing the Sun rise and set every day, in an uninterrupted pattern. When its light is obscured, the usual pattern is interrupted. In this way, an Eclipse acts as an interruption of ‘business as usual’, of the regular routine in your life.

There are four types of eclipses: Lunar North Node Eclipses (like the one we had on January 31st 2018), Lunar South Node Eclipses, Solar North Node Eclipses (like the one we had on August 21st 2017 – the great American Eclipse) and Solar South Node Eclipses. The Eclipse on February 15th is a Solar South Node Eclipse.

If Lunar Eclipses bring our emotions forward, Solar Eclipses are about our consciousness, about what we accept as true, how we define ourselves. The Sun represents our deep self, the essence of our personality, the unique expression of our being.

If North Node Eclipses are about welcoming new experiences, South Node Eclipses are about releasing or letting go of whatever does not serve our higher purpose.

Therefore, the Solar Eclipse on February 15th is about letting go of some old identifications of the Self, which feed on our energy and pull us down.

The Eclipse takes place at 27° Aquarius and is conjunct Mercury (information, communication) and Juno (devotion), is sextile Uranus (surprises, freedom) and square Jupiter (growth, long-term plans).

The theme of the Solar Eclipse is re-assessment of commitments. If you want to achieve your long-term plans (Jupiter) you may need to make some changes (Uranus) in your commitments (Juno).

Now is a good time to have truthful discussions (Mercury) with full disclosure of your expectations. Because this is a South Node Eclipse, be open to let go of some of your own beliefs, of what you accept as true. Change starts with you!

The traditional ruler of the Eclipse, Saturn, is in domicile in Capricorn and is applying a sextile to Venus, which is now in exaltation in Pisces. This is a highly supportive aspect bringing common sense and clarity. If you want to fix something, no need to overdo-it and complicate things. Sometimes, the biggest transformations come from changing one small thing.

The Solar Eclipse takes place in Aquarius, but as with every eclipse, the opposite sign, Leo, is activated as well. Leo is the self, the individual. Aquarius, on the other hand, is the group.

The Leo–Aquarius axis highlights the relationship between the individual and the collective, self-interest vs. shared purpose, making it on your own versus getting help from others.

The Solar eclipse on February 15th will ask you to examine where you get lost in the group (South Node in Aquarius) and where you hold back from being your true self (North Node in Leo).

“Me, We”

Muhammad Ali is known as one of the greatest boxers ever. But not many people know that Muhammad Ali has invented the shortest poem in the English language. When talking to 2000 Harvard seniors at a commencement ceremony in 1975, Ali came up with what is thought to be the shortest poem:

“Me

We”

Sometimes, the poem is asserted as:

“Me

Whee”

MUHAMAD-ALI

The first version expresses a sense of community, of support and togetherness (Aquarius).

The other expresses a carefree attitude, of enjoyment for one’s achievements and abilities and gratitude for the opportunity of existence (Leo).

This is a South Node Eclipse, so the Aquarius principle of defining ourselves though others is challenged by the need of authentic self-expression.

The Solar Eclipse is an invitation to honor yourself for who you are. Other people’s expectations, societal norms are indeed necessary, as we don’t live alone in this world, but in the same time, they do not define us.

You are who you are and you are perfect that way.

The Solar Eclipse in Aquarius will ask you to let go of the need to fit in. And the paradox and beauty of it, is that by not fitting in, you stand out.

“People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within” – Elisabeth Kubler Ross

How the Eclipse is going to affect you?

The Solar Eclipse takes place at 27° Aquarius, opposite the August 21st 2017 Solar eclipse at 28° Leo. Thus, this eclipse can bring to completion themes and projects from last summer / early fall.

If nothing specific happened in your life last summer, go back in time. Eclipses are cyclical, triggering the same degrees every 18 years. What was your experience of the Aquarius Solar Eclipses in February 1999, 1980 and 1961?

If you have natal planets or angles (Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven and IC) around 25°-29° in Leo or Aquarius you are going to feel the energy of this Eclipse more intensely. Planets in late degrees of the other fixed signs (Taurus, and Scorpio) are also vulnerable.

Even if the Eclipse doesn’t trigger sensitive points in your chart, you are still going to experience the energy of the Eclipse in a certain sector of your life. This is the house where you have Aquarius in your natal chart.

If for example you have Capricorn ascendant, the Eclipse will fall in your 2nd house (Aquarius is the 2nd sign from Capricorn) which means that your finances and possessions will come into focus. If you don’t know in which house you have Aquarius, here is a guide on how to calculate it yourself https://astrobutterfly.com/2017/09/25/how-to-read-transits-in-your-natal-chart-step-by-step-instructions/

You may not experience the effect of the Eclipse immediately. An Eclipse has a time span of 6 months, so certain themes can start to unfold at a later stage. After the 6-month window passes, you will be able to have a deeper sense of awareness and have more control of the affairs of the house where you have Aquarius.

You can make the best out of this Eclipse by consciously letting go of your attachments to an expected outcome. Instead, surrender to what is real within you, to your own natural rhythm. You may discover you’ve been out of touch with it for a very long time.

Ritual for the Solar Eclipse

After you have identified in which house in your natal chart the Eclipse falls, write down on a piece of paper all the blockages, outdated beliefs, self-sabotaging behaviors that undermine you in these specific area of your life.

After you have finished writing, burn the piece of paper. Make sure you perform the ritual in a ventilated place, preferably outside, where you can easily put down the fire if needed.

You can find other 2018 full moon blog pages on the New and Full Moons 2018 page.

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Astrology of February 2018 – Solar Eclipse in Aquarius and Stellium in Pisces

In February, the energy shifts from serious and responsible Capricorn to humanitarian Aquarius (in the 1st half of February) and spiritual Pisces (in the 2nd half of February).

Although we won’t have any Full Moon this month, February will not be by any means be less eventful than January.

February is marked by a very powerful New Moon in Aquarius which is also a Solar Eclipse. This Solar Eclipse will be the trademark of February and events will tend to happen around this time. If you are born around 15th of February, the coming year is going to be a very important year of your life.

The New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Aquarius coincides with the start of the Chinese year of the Earth Dog. In Chinese tradition, Earth dogs are faithful, considerate and well-disciplined. This is pretty much what we can expect from 2018 from a Western perspective as well, having Saturn in hard-working Capricorn and Jupiter in truthful Scorpio. The year of the Earth Dog is supposed to be auspicious in financial matters, but also exhausting on a physical level.

Also around Mid February, depending where you are on Earth, Venus makes her appearance as an evening star (this phenomenon is called Venus’ heliacal rising). Venus has been away for a long time and because of that many people have experienced a difficult time in love and relationships.

Venus invisible is even more problematic than Venus retrograde. If Venus retrograde can bring issues to the surface, but also resolutions to these issues, Venus invisible means that the values Venus stands for (love, relationships, values, possessions) become ‘invisible’, and are literally missing from our life. Venus has been lost in the glare of the Sun for approximately 2 months so we will all rejoice when Venus will make her appearance in the evening sky. You will especially benefit from Venus’ heliacal rising if you have Aries, Taurus, Libra or Scorpio Ascendant.

All these events make mid-February an extremely eventful time. If you have planned activities around this date expect very interesting developments.

Let’s have a look at the major aspects of the month:

February 2018

On February 3rd Sun is conjunct the South Node of the Moon and Venus is square Jupiter. Venus square Jupiter is a very idealistic and optimistic combination – we will feel the sky’s the limit! On the other hand, Sun conjunct the South Node has the opposite effect. Sun conjunct the South Node is a reality check: yes, in theory anything in possible, but in practice, we all have limited time and resources and not everything is for everyone.

South Node is Karma knocking on our door: is this thing you are doing serving your higher purpose, or is just wasting your time? What seems to be too good to be true can be not that good in the end. February 3rd is not the best day to make big changes or to try to fix something. It is not about trying harder, it is about releasing and letting go.

On February 10th Venus enters Pisces. The Goddess of beauty and love, Venus moves into her exaltation sign inviting all of us to feel what love is really about: losing yourself into the oneness of the universe, into the flow of everything. We will all benefit from this energy, and if you have Venus in a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) you will benefit even more so.

On February 13th Mercury in Aquarius is square Jupiter in Scorpio. This is a tense combination because it takes place in fixed signs – and fixed signs like to stick to their point of view. Mercury, representing our individual experience of the world, feels cool and detached in Aquarius. Jupiter, which represents our social experience of the world, feels deep and penetrative in Scorpio. You can have a clash between your objective and your subjective experience of the world.

Mercury square Jupiter will test you and show you there is no right or wrong answer. We need both rationality and intuition to fully, deeply understand something. But again, because the square is in fixed signs, you can have a hard time to reconcile the two.

On February 15th we have a New Moon and Solar Eclipse at 27° Aquarius. The eclipse is tightly conjunct Mercury and Juno, is square Jupiter and sextile Uranus. The ruler of the Eclipse, Saturn, is sextile Venus. Venus with Saturn, as well as the asteroid Juno are connected to the principle of devotion.

This is a South Node eclipse – South Node eclipses are about letting go. Both Lunar Nodes are about adjustments, and alignments – if North Node eclipses have a dose of mystery and unknown, South Node eclipses are more literal – the adjustments they require are more obvious. You may have been devoting all your life to a cause, to a dream, to an ideal (Aquarius). The eclipse will expose the current reality of that ideal. You may realize that you are devoted to a lost cause, or at least, your cause and the relationship you have with it needs to go through some changes.

To find out how the Eclipse is going to impact you, check which house of your natal chart Aquarius is in. If you have for example, Scorpio ascendant / Aquarius in the 4th house, you may realize that you have put too much energy and devotion into your family to the point of losing yourself. There are many people who stay in current jobs, relationships, friendships out of devotion, even if they are unhappy. The Solar Eclipse in Aquarius will challenge your relationship with the concept of devotion. Is it really worth it? Is your devotion unconditional or do you expect something in return? Venus sextile Saturn will give you the pragmatism to make the necessary changes.

On February 17th – February 18th Mars in Sagittarius is square Neptune in Pisces and Mercury and the Sun enter Pisces. You may feel uncertain about what is the best course of action. Should you assert yourself or go with the flow? On 17th – 18th of February we have a stellium in Pisces: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Moon and Chiron, inviting you to swim in the waters of your intuition. Deep inside, you know what you need to do. The affairs of the house where you have Pisces will come into focus.

On February 21st Venus is conjunct Neptune. This aspect signifies nothing more, nothing less but pure love. Venus is exalted in Pisces and Neptune is in domicile in Pisces. Pisces stands for unconditional love and compassion. No matter how pragmatic you are, today you will feel drawn to beauty and love in its purest form. If you go on a romantic date on February 21st, it is going to be wonderful. Embrace this energy with your heart open and with no expectations.

Between February 25th – February 28th Venus and Mercury square Mars and Mercury is conjunct Neptune. These aspects can increase the intensity in relationships, for good and for bad. Your desire to connect with others, not only on a spiritual level, but also on a physical level, increases. In the midst of Neptunian fog, let go of your fears and expectations and surrender to the unknown.