Category: Calendar

Astrology Of August 2017 – Eclipse Season, The Sky Is Calling

Astro Butterfly

The month of August will turn our lives upside down. Fasten your seat belts, you’re in for a crazy ride.

Not only we have two dramatic eclipses, the lunar eclipse in Aquarius and the Total Solar Eclipse in Leo. We also have one of the most important transits of the year, Jupiter square Pluto. Mid-August Mercury turns retrograde, asking us to revisit and review those thoughts and beliefs that are holding us back from our Purpose.

Saturn the great teacher turns direct later in August. If you’ve been feeling held back in the areas of your life transited by Saturn, at the time Saturn is stationary you will finally understand what Saturn has been trying to teach you in the last months. You are now better equipped to deal with any fears or doubts so you can go full steam ahead in anything it is that you want to manifest.

But the most important planet this month is Uranus. Uranus is extremely powerful in August – in the first week Uranus is stationary retrograde and later it trines Venus, Sun and the Solar Eclipse in Leo. Uranus is the most significant planet of the Eclipse thanks to the very close applying degree. You can expect a lot of surprises and turns of events.

We also have a lot of Nodal action in August. Not only the eclipses, which by definition are conjunct the Nodes, but also Sun and Mars activate these very sensitive points in the sky. The Nodes represent our purpose in this lifetime. When they are active, they ask us stop playing small, stop living in a lie. If you’ve been in denial about your purpose, about your role in the grand scheme of things, about your contribution to the world, the month of August will be an wake up call to live in alignment with your true calling, now or never.

If we look at the elemental makeup of August we notice a lot of planets in Fire, but almost no air, so the way we will experience this energy is like an implosion. We will feel compelled to act, but because the air is missing we will not be able to fire our flames. This energy can feel frustrating at times, especially in the first two thirds of the month. In the last week of August the sky calms down. Time for some much needed rest after such an eventful month.

August

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

On August 2nd Uranus turns retrograde. Where do you feel stuck in your life? Uranus stationary retrograde is an Uranus on steroids, which means that everything Uranus stands for, unpredictability, sudden insight, freedom, rebelling against authority, will be experienced tenfold. You will have an aha moment. Now is the time to break the chains of whatever is no longer serving you, to cut through hypocrisy, to speak your truth. Uranus is the awakener!

If you have planets or angles at 28° Aries or Libra the area of your life ruled by that planet will be completely transformed. The change will be sudden and nothing you expected. If you don’t have any personal planets at 28° Aries, still check where in your natal chart you have 28° Aries to see which area of your life will experience a reboot.

On August 4th Jupiter in Libra squares Pluto in Capricorn. This is the last square in a series of 3 and will deliver the final outcome of this very important transit which lasted for almost one year. Jupiter square Pluto stands for our attitudes, beliefs and mindset. What you expect is what you get. By now, at least some of your beliefs must have undergone a complete transformation.

Jupiter square Pluto initially brings a crisis of faith by asking the big, uncomfortable questions about life. What is more important to you, family or success in your career? What is your attitude towards race? What do you really believe about sexual monogamy? Although there are no right or wrong answers, this transit is forcing us to ask ourselves these questions and answer them honestly.

The transit has also brought to our awareness which are those things we can compromise and which ones we cannot. By now, you should have more clarity about what defines you and your views of the world. After this transit, you may find that some of your beliefs are really not that important (for example, your political views) while others have stood the test of Jupiter square Pluto and stand even stronger than before (for example, your views about family).

Jupiter square Pluto is also about money, success and abundance. During this transit, our desire to succeed is stronger than usual. This final Jupiter square Pluto transit is your last chance to go for that big project or endeavor. Don’t shy away from turning your wildest financial dreams into reality. You will feel this transit stronger if you are a Libra or Capricorn born in the middle of the sign or if you have planets at 17° in Libra or Capricorn.

On August 7th we have the Lunar Eclipse at 15° Aquarius. The Lunar Eclipse is about who you really are vs. who you think you should be.

The need to be accepted, to be part of a group, is so strong in our DNA that many times completely overpowers our expression as an individual with unique traits, with unique talents, with unique needs and wants. The Moon Eclipse in Aquarius will expose the conflict between being true to our self, shining our light, vs. being a good citizen, fitting in, paying taxes, working towards a common goal that does not necessarily fit our own needs and desires .

We will now have to make a decision about what is truly important to us. Because the North Node is in Leo, the message is to put ourselves first. When we shine our own light, we give the permission to the others to shine theirs!

The Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius can also ask us to live behind some friendships, or to leave a group or a community that no longer fulfills our purpose, or that drags us down in a way or another. If you are a fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) born in the middle of the sign or if you have other personal planets or angles around 15° in the fixed signs you are going to feel this energy very strongly.

On August 11th Venus in Cancer is trine Neptune in Pisces. This is a sweet, escapist transit, after an intense Lunar Eclipse full of Yang, masculine energy. Both Venus and Neptune are in water, feminine signs and together they come to restore our sense of oneness. Remember when as a child you hurt yourself and your mother came to hug you and all the pain melted away? This is how the Venus trine Neptune transit is going to feel like.

This is a good time to spend at home with the close ones or in a quiet place where you can take care of yourself or let the others pamper you . This time is the Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) that are going to benefit the most from this transit.

On August 12th Mercury goes retrograde at 11° Virgo. This retrograde cycle is very significant because it coincides with the Eclipse season, and also because Mercury activates the Solar Eclipse degree. This is a longer retrograde of Mercury and will last for 23 days.

What is interesting is that Mercury will turn stationary direct on September 4th at 28° Leo, which is exactly the 21st of August Solar Eclipse degree. Some things related to the Solar Eclipse will come to light around September 4th.

This Mercury retrograde has a cleansing quality and will help us break uncomfortable mental and emotional patters which no longer serve us. Mercury retrograde takes place at the same time with the Eclipse. As we know, eclipses are the karmic resets of our soul clock. Whatever it is that keeps you stuck in the past needs to be purged now.

Our mind will be cleansed of outdated beliefs, negative thoughts or any prejudices that hinder our growth. Which ideas, preconceptions, habits you need to change? This Mercury cycle will give you great insights into what it is that keeps you away from the path of your purpose.

On August 13th Sun in Leo is trine Saturn in Sagittarius. Your determination and hard work are not in vain, and Sun trine Saturn is a reminder that with every little step you do get closer to your goal. This is a beneficial aspect for all of us, and especially if you are born on August 13th or August 14th  or if you have the ascendant around 21° Leo, this aspect will give you the chance to create something on solid foundations. Whatever you build now, it will last.

On August 15th Venus in Cancer is opposite Pluto in Capricorn. Women can be more seductive during this transit, especially if they have natal Venus in Cancer or Capricorn, and especially if Venus is located around 17° in Cancer or Capricorn. This transit brings increased magnetism and passion, and a desire to go to “the next level” of growth and authenticity in relationships.

 “If a love relationship does not lead me to me, if a love relationship does lead another person to themselves, this love, even if it seems to be the most secure and ecstatic attachment, is not true love. For real love is dedicated to continual becoming.”

On August 16th / August 17th Venus is square Jupiter, and Sun is conjunct the North Node of the Moon. The two transits speak about embracing your purpose with enthusiasm, courage and optimism.

Venus and Jupiter have to do with our values and beliefs, are about what we like, what we enjoy doing. The square is an action transit so it will ask you to “do something” about the things you love. What matters to you most? Go for whatever this thing is, and enjoy the process.

Venus and Jupiter square transit fits pretty well with Sun conjunct the North Node of Purpose. Sun conjunct North Node transit takes place only once in a year so this is the best day in the year to ask yourself: “What is my purpose, what is my life path?” Notice the first answer that comes to you.

This is the first time we have the Sun North Node conjunction while the North Node transits Leo so if you were not sure what the North Node in Leo is all about, this is the day you can tap into the energy of the Leo North Node. This transit is even more important is it precedes the Total Solar Eclipse on August 21st. Get the answer to that question right so you are well prepared for when the Eclipse hits you. What is your life purpose?

The wind of change starts blowing on August 20th as Sun trines Uranus. Just before the Solar Eclipse, Sun is in perfect alignment to Uranus. The key word for any Uranus transit is “surprise”. Uranus wants you to break free from the bondage of the ego so you can express yourself in an authentic way.

If your true self says “no more, I had enough”, listen to the flashes of intuitive insights brought by Uranus. Don’t hold on to the familiar, don’t hold on to those things you’re used to. Embrace the change. If something is not your true calling, now is the time to take a risk and make the necessarily changes.

On August 21st the Total Solar Eclipse in Leo, the most expected astrological event of the year, takes place at 28° Leo. The Eclipse will be visible in most of the US and will be a dramatic event which will shake our lives to the core. Because the closest aspect to the Eclipse is a trine to Uranus, the Solar Eclipse will be very unpredictable. Nothing that you expect to happen will happen.

Things will change for sure, because Mars, the planet of action, also takes a central role in this Solar Eclipse. There is no secret that United States is in the spotlight of the Eclipse so if you live in the US or if you are in the US at this time, then the Eclipse will affect you stronger.

Normal Eclipses have a time span of 6 months, so their effects set the tone and affect your life for about 6 months after the Eclipse. But because this is a Total Eclipse of the Sun, the effects last longer. In ancient astrology every minute of darkness corresponds to 1 year of influence. Because this Eclipse will last for almost 3 minutes, its influence will last for almost 3 years.

If you have the Sun, the Moon, the North Node or the ascendant at 28° Leo or Aquarius your life will undergo a complete change. Irrespective if you have a planet at the Eclipse point, the Solar Eclipse in Leo will affect every single one of us. Look in which house in your natal chart the Eclipse takes place (look in which house you have 28° Leo) so you can get clues about how the Solar Eclipse is going to affect you.

On August 22nd Sun enters Virgo and Mars is trine Saturn. The two astrological events are very practical and bring common sense after a tumultuous Leo Eclipse.  Sun in Virgo and Mars with Saturn bring endurance, and promise long lasting results. You now want to do what is right.

These after-eclipse transits are very practical, traditional and in a way exactly the opposite of the Solar Eclipse. After a very intense week, August 22nd will be like “what a magnificent experience. ok, now let’s go back to work”. And because Sun also conjuncts the fixed star Regulus, this is a time to reap what you have sown.

People born in the first days of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) will benefit from this earthy, common sense, practical energy. This is not a fairytale, Venus Neptune transit, nor a happy go lucky Jupiter Uranus transit. The transits today are a reminder that you can get what you want if you put the effort, mind and work into it.

On August 24th Venus is square Uranus. During this transit you can experience sudden emotional changes. Unusual encounters and experiences are possible today and Uranus wants you to  embrace them fully. No more “I’m not sure”, no more fake relationships. Be authentic and real.

Cardinal signs are again in spotlight, so if you are born in the last days of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, or if you have personal planets or angles at 28° in Cardinal signs, you are going to feel this energy big time.

On August 25th Venus enters Leo and Saturn turns direct. Both Venus and Saturn rule material, concrete things, and while Venus speaks more about the things we love, the things we get pleasure from with our senses, Saturn rules the practical things we need in order to improve our life. If Venus is the beautiful table sitting in your living room, Saturn is the screws that keep the elements of the table together and make it a table. Venus is the outer beauty, Saturn is the inner beauty.

Both Leo and Sagittarius (where Saturn resides) are fire signs so during this transit we will want to turn our creativity into something practical, something we can benefit from. Saturn stationary direct is good news in general, but because stationary planets are stronger than normally, we can feel an infusion of Saturnine energy which is not of everyone’s liking, especially for people younger than 29 who have not experienced yet their Saturn return and don’t know how to handle Saturn.  So August 25th can be pretty mixed but it is a good day to start a creative project with a concrete, material manifestation.

On August 26th Sun and Mercury meet for an inferior conjunction so we have a new Mercury cycle starting at 4° Virgo. This is a good time to start a project or an activity you need to do on a quarterly basis. Mercury cycles last between 3 and 4 months so at the beginning of the cycle is a good idea to start something you would need 3 to 4 months to complete.

Mercury cycles take longer than lunar cycles, but shorter than Solar cycles. Anything if between is favored now, especially if it has to do with acquiring a new skill, or learning something new. Another good news is that this Mercury cycle starts in the sign of its domicile, Virgo, which is a very good place for Mercury. Because Mercury is retrograde, anything that has to do with introspection, for example journaling, is favored.

On August 27th Mars is conjunct North Node in Leo. The desire to act upon our own desires and express our royal nature is stronger than ever. Any action you take right now can receive support from the Universe because it is serving your life purpose. Leos born in the 3rd decan of the sign will especially benefit from this energy.

On August 31st Mercury retrograde moves back into Leo giving you the chance to revisit some of the themes you experienced at the end of July. So if you’ve been waiting for news about a project you started around July 26th you can now get more information about it. Mercury’s retrograde ingress into Leo is also linked to the Solar Eclipse because it triggers the last degrees of Leo, so August 31st and the following week can bring more information about what Solar Eclipse in Leo is about.

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Astrology Of July 2017 – Get Ready For The Unexpected

Astro Butterfly

July is a very important month which will prepare us for the Great Total Solar Eclipse of the Sun on August 21st. The total eclipse of the Sun takes place at 28° Leo and this degree is heavily triggered in July by several transits. We have indeed a lot of action at the 28° degree of the zodiac: Chiron turns retrograde at 28° Pisces, Uranus at 28° Aries makes a record number of aspects to Mercury (a square and a trine), a square to Mars and a square to the Sun.

Because so many planets are in Cancer and Leo, we also have an excess of Fire and Water modality in July. This combination can make us lose our cool; and because Uranus is heavily aspected – you can “expect” unexpected turns of events, unanticipated decisions and great insights.

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

July

July 1st  – July starts in a very intense note with the retrograde station of Chiron, the wounded healer. Chiron turns retrograde at 28° Pisces, the degree of the Total Solar Eclipse on 21st of August, setting the tone for what we are going to expect in the coming months.  Chiron’s message is simple, but not necessarily easy: we need to learn to accept ourselves with all our scars and imperfections.  We need to learn to live with the wholeness of ourselves, with the good and with the bad.

Chiron reconnects and heals what has been separated or broken apart. We have a natural tendency to shy away from pain, from what we think is the unwanted or undesirable part of yourself. But when Chiron changes course (it happens twice a year) we cannot hide anymore from the truth of who we are.

Chiron will ask for authenticity and awareness. Don’t resist the process, otherwise it will be indeed painful. Chiron transits can be amazingly beautiful though if we open our hearts and trust the Universe works in our favor, even if its ways are sometimes mysterious.

On the next day on July 2nd we have Mars opposition Pluto. This is an extremely intense  aspect which is likely to stir us at the deepest level. This transit can create extreme reactions but if you learned to handle Pluto it can also bring great personal power. You can now remove any obstacle that is preventing you from getting what you want.

You are especially affected by this transit if you have planets of angles at 18° Cancer or Capricorn, the sings where the opposition takes place,  as well as 18° of Aries and Libra. You will also feel this energy strongly if in your natal chart you have an aspect between Mars and Pluto. A good way to handle this energy is to make sure you have a healthy outlet to express it. Any type of sport or physical exercise can be a good outlet.

On July 4th Venus enters Gemini. In the 3rd sign of the zodiac, the Goddess of beauty and love becomes more dynamic and curious. After we indulged ourselves into sensorial experiences with Venus in Taurus, now is time to engage our brain too. Venus in Gemini is the best time to have interesting, captivating conversations and to open our mind to new experiences.

If you have Venus in Gemini you will have your Venus return which means a new chapter will start for you in matters of love, finances, personal values, aesthetic expression.

Mercury in Cancer squares Uranus at 28° Aries in the same day and will bring us some unexpected news. Pay attention to your emails, to the news you read on Social Media because you can get some clues about the general theme of the Great Total Solar Eclipse in August.

July 5th – Mercury enters Leo. This transit is great for focus and mental stamina. If a project has been draining you of energy during Mercury’s stay in Cancer, Mercury in Leo will give you the much needed mental focus to advance in your project and reach your goals.

In addition, the transit favors artistic expression of any kind, especially drama, theater, acting, role playing or working with children. In the same day Sun in Cancer squares Jupiter in Libra at 15° making you optimistic (possibly over-optimistic) about your prospects. This stands true especially if you have planets at 15° in Air signs or Water signs.

On July 8th we have the Full Moon in Capricorn at 17°. This is the most intense Full Moons of the year, being in a tight conjunction to Pluto. This is a challenging Full Moon because both the Sun and the Moon are in signs they don’t feel very comfortable in. And Pluto sitting just next to the Moon will expose all our insecurities.

How much and to which extend this Full Moon is going to affect you depends on how much you try to resist its influence. If you embrace the energy with awareness, the Full Moon in Capricorn can be extremely empowering and can help you manifest things that seemed impossible in the past.

On July 9th the opposition between Sun and Pluto becomes exact. If you have planets or angles at 18° in Cancer or Capricorn this transit will impact you in the area of you chart / the houses transited by the Sun and Pluto. Irrespective of the house, the transit will bring some sort of struggle in expressing your individuality.

In mid-July –  more exactly July 10th to July 16th – the sky is pretty uneventful. Time for some much needed rest after such a powerful Full Moon. Make sure you make the best of this phase by taking some time off to recharge your batteries.

July 17 is a very dynamic and in the same time confusing day. We have Venus in Gemini in a square to Neptune at 14° Pisces and Mars in Cancer in a square to Uranus at 28° Aries. If you are the type of person who likes to be in control, you can find this day quite challenging. If you are an artist, an energy worker or you have spiritual interests you can find these transits quite inspiring and empowering instead.

July 18th – July 19th the energy flows easily as we have a trine in Air signs between Venus in Gemini and Jupiter in Libra at 15° and a trine in Fire signs between Mercury in Leo and Saturn in Sagittarius at 22°. We will all feel at ease during this time – any type of communication, exchange with groups, artistic expression is highly favored now.

Even the shy ones can have a blast with all this extroverted energy in the air. So if you normally have difficulties in interacting with people this transit is good news for you – make sure you go out or make contact with others. We will all benefit from this transit. If you have planets around 15° Aquarius or 22° Leo you are especially lucky.

Get ready for some fireworks on July 20th. Mars enters Leo, one its favorite sings and Sun squares Uranus in the same day – again at 28° – creating restlessness and impatience. All these aspects are in Fire signs so expect a lot of intensity and passion.

July 21st – Mercury conjunct North Node at 24° Leo giving us a very important message about our purpose in this lifetime. Pay attention to any clues, especially if you have planets or angles at 24° Leo. The next weeks will be life changing for you.

July 22nd – Sun enters Leo, encouraging us to take time off for fun. No wonder so many people all over the world, irrespective of culture are on holidays around this time of the year. This is a good time to be active and enjoy yourself.  This is not the type of holiday you want to spend in an ashram (this would be more suitable for your holidays in March when Sun is in Pisces)…unless you go there to meet people or do some yoga or something active. Whatever you chose to do, make sure you enjoy yourself as much as you can!

On July 23rd we have the first  New Moon in Leo at 0°. Yes, this year we are going to have two New Moons in Leo and yes, the 2nd one is actually the total solar eclipse I’ve been writing about. This first New Moon in Leo will give us clues about what to expect at the time of the solar eclipse on August 21st (which is probably the most important astrological event of the year).

This fist New Moon is by itself extremely powerful, and great for intention setting as it takes place at 0° and is conjunct Mars, the most active planet.  0° is the degree of the Magician, anything is possible now, and the manifesting power of your intentions is extremely strong. Be careful what you wish for 😉

July 24th – Venus in Gemini is in opposition to Saturn in Sagittarius at 21°and in the same day Mercury in Leo is trine Uranus in Aries at 28° (again, the 28° degree). Don’t let melancholy pull you down. Seek intellectual pursuits instead. This is one of those days when you should let our mind overrule your heart.

July 25th – Mercury enters Virgo, the sign of its domicile. In Virgo, Mercury works at its best – our analytical work becomes very accurate now, and our attention to detail is magnificent during Mercury’s transit in Virgo. Mercury starts to slow down though as it prepares to turn retrograde mid-August.

July 26th – Sun conjunct Mars at 4° Leo – make sure you direct your energy in a project that is dear to your heart. If you do so, the chances to succeed are very high.

July 31st – The month ends with Venus ingress into the homey sign of Cancer.  This is a highly romantic and sensitive transit. Venus in Cancer is also great for spending time with the dear ones. Intimacy and connection are more important than ever so make sure you make the best of this transit by showing the people you care about how much they mean to you.

Astrology Of June – Dream Big And Aim High

Astro Butterfly

June is one of the best months of the year. Optimism will be restored, the impossible will suddenly become possible, and things will just feel right. The month is very intense and eventful though so don’t expect to rest too much during June ;).

Intuition is also heightened so you can make very good decisions right now, especially around June 20th when we have the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Traveling of any kind is highly favored tanks to a very active Mercury, Jupiter and Gemini/Sagittarius axis.

We have some very positive aspects in June, including a Grand Trine and a Castle early June, we have Jupiter turning direct at the time of the Full Moon in Sagittarius, and we also have numerous trines in Air, Fire and Earth signs.

June

June 1st – The month starts smoothly thanks to a trine between Venus  (25° Aries) and Saturn (25° Sagittarius).

June 3rd  is one of the most positive and progressive days we can get thanks to a series of highly beneficial transits – we have a Grand Trine in Fire signs (North Node, Saturn and Uranus) which is triggered by two kites and forms an unique aspect called Castle. The apex of the Castle is Uranus which is conjunct Venus – expect surprising turns of events. In the same day Sun (13° Gemini) is trine Jupiter (13° Libra), accompanying with a truly upbeat and optimistic energy.

June 4th is an emotional day. Mars enters Cancer and Sun (14° Gemini) applies a square to Neptune (14° Pisces)

June 6th – Two personal planets change sings today – Venus enters Taurus and Mercury enters Gemini. If I could use one word to describe the energy we have today that would be “homecoming”. Both Venus and Mercury enter the signs of their domicile, the place where they can express themselves at their best. In the coming weeks there will be a feeling of “rightness” in the air, love and beauty will be expressed joyfully and communication will run smoothly. If you have Venus or Mercury in less friendly signs (Venus in Aries, Virgo or Scorpio or Mercury in Sagittarius or Pisces) use the following weeks to learn about the “natural” expression of these planets.

June 9th – We have Full Moon in Sagittarius (18°) and in the same day, the Full Moon ruler – Jupiter turns direct. When a planet changes motion is super powerful and having the ruler of a Full Moon changing course exactly at the time of the Full Moon make it even more powerful. This rare occurrence will make the Full Moon of June one of the most important and eventful full moons of the year. You will be asked to expand your horizons and embark into a new journey, be it psychical or metaphorical.  Something “big” will happen because Jupiter likes to expand everything it touches. If you have planets or angles around between 13°-18° in Aries, Gemini, Libra or Sagittarius make sure you mark your calendar 😉

June 13th – Communication can get “all over the place” because Mercury (13° Gemini) is trine Jupiter (13° Libra) and a bit later, square Neptune (14° Pisces). New projects of all sorts are favored, as ideals run high. Now is time to “dream big” and worry less about the “how” – wait for the upcoming Saturn transits to make a plan on how are you going to get there.

June 15th – Time for the first “reality check” of the month as Sun (24° Gemini) is opposite Saturn (24° Sagittarius). Few days later on June 18th is Mercury’s turn to confront with the Teacher – Mercury opposite Saturn (24° Sagittarius).

June 16th – Neptune changes course and turns retrograde at 14° Pisces – our sensitivity and receptivity are heightened. Pisces risings, you are especially affected.

June 20th /  June 21st – Sun and Mercury enter Cancer and conjoin immediately after the Solstice at the very powerful degree 0° Cancer – whatever you started at the beginning of the current Mercury cycle around April 20th will come to fruition now. If you have your ascendant in Gemini, Leo or Virgo you are especially in focus 😉

June 23rd  – We have New Moon in Cancer (2°) conjunct Mercury, encouraging intimate conversations and family bonding. Some sort of information will come to you though intuition, alternatively some old memories may resurface now.

June 24th / June 25th – the atmosphere gets very intense: we have Venus (18° Taurus) trine Pluto (18° Capricorn), Mars (13° Cancer) square Jupiter (13° Libra) and later on Mars (14° Cancer) trine Neptune. Feelings and passions run high – we will want to “merge” with the object of our desire. Make sure you socialize – it is a good idea to plan a date or a nigh out around this time.

June 27th – Mercury (13° Cancer) is square Jupiter (13° Libra) and later that day trine Neptune (14° Pisces). Again, this is a good time to “dream big” and pursue creative activities.

The month ends with some more Mercury action (Mercury has been very active this month!) On June 28th – Mercury is conjunct Mars at 15° Cancer and one day later on June 29th Mercury (18° Cancer) is opposite Pluto (18° Capricorn). This time Mercury is sharped-tongued and can get bad tempered! Try to stay cool, do some meditation, spend some time by water – would be a pity to spoil such a fantastic month right at the end. Remember, words can never be taken back, so chose them carefully 😉

Have a wonderful June!

Astrology Of May 2017 – The Nodes Are Changing Signs, Get Ready For A Major Shift

Astro Butterfly

May is marked by the Nodes changing sings – The North Node moves into Leo and the South Node in Aquarius. We will all experience a strong shift toward expressing our creative gifts and talents so we can reach our fullest human potential.

The message of this Nodal shift is to stop searching aimlessly for the right cause, for the right movement or for the right community to fill the emptiness inside (South Node in Aquarius), and focus on our Own creative genius (North Node in Leo)

The two rulers of the South Node – Uranus and Saturn – will be in trine throughout the month. The temptation to stay comfortably numb, to choose familiarity over possibility, to accept whatever the society is telling us to do needs to be transcended now. Now is the time to shine as an individual, to rediscover your passion and power. The world needs your uniquely creative gifts!

May

May 2nd Mercury turns direct at 24° Aries and the mental fog will lift slowly. The time has come to move ahead with your projects! Thanks to the conjunction with Uranus, your mind is highly lucrative, and your ideas very original. In the next two weeks make use of your brain as much as you can.

May 10th is an extremely important day, so make sure you mark it in your calendar. The Nodal axis shifts from the Virgo /Pisces axis to the Leo /Aquarius axis, more exactly the North Node of the Moon leaves Virgo and moves into Leo and the South Node leaves Pisces and moves into Aquarius. Last time we had the Nodes in Leo/Aquarius was from September 1998 to April 2000. Try to recall what happened then so you can get a feeling about what to expect in the next 1 year and a half.

In the same day we have a very powerful Full Moon at 20° Scorpio. The Full Moon is highly transformational and will bring positive changes especially for people with Scorpio rising or with planets or angles at 20° Scorpio or 20° Taurus. Pluto, the ruler of this Full Moon, makes favorable aspects with the this lunation (a sextile to the Moon and a trine to the Sun) which is highly beneficial. Plutonian energy is usually difficult to digest but this time we can make the best use of it.

Mercury links with Uranus for the last time around this date as well. Mercury has been concocting something with Uranus for a few weeks – it is highly likely that the Full Moon and the Nodal shift will activate it – you can expect remarkable breakthoughts and unexpected news around this date! If you have planets around 25° Aries the news will be about you! Expect the unexpected.

May 11th Mars is square Neptune and then trine Jupiter, while Mercury is trine Saturn. You can feel a blood rush and a desire to escape the boredom of everyday life. Thankfully, you won’t do anything silly as your mind is practical and focused on what makes sense.

May 15th Mercury enters Taurus reactivating the Sun/Mercury conjunction which took place on April 20th. If you started a new project around April 20th you will now gain more clarity about where the project is heading.

May 18th Saturn is trine Uranus. The transit will bring the much needed reassurance that we are on the right track with our efforts. Uranus wants progress but most of the time its erratic energy can be too much to handle. But thanks to the stabilizing energy of Saturn we will now have the comfort to move to unknown territories from a place of assurance and ease. People with 26° in Fire signs will especially benefit from this transit and if you have planets around 26° in Leo this is a time of remarkable and durable advancements.

May 19th Venus at 13° Aries opposes Jupiter at 13° Libra. This is a flamboyant transit – plan to go out, you will have a blast. Venus wants you to enjoy every little thing and Jupiter wants you to enjoy every little thing to the fullest – just make sure you don’t exaggerate 😉

May 20th Sun enters Gemini and the atmosphere will lighten up. We have 30 days to feel light and carefree, be curious and explore the world around us.

May 25th New Moon in Gemini at 4° and Venus square Pluto. The New Moon is unaspected so the Gemini energy will be expressed freely. This New Moon is great for learning and explorations of any kind. Plan a trip or watch a documentary on a topic you know nothing about. Time to forget about any opinions you “borrowed” from other people, from books, from the TV, and make your own instead. Explore life with a beginner’s mind.

May 28th Mars at 25° Gemini opposes Saturn at 25° Sagittarius. You can now feel a friction between the desire to explore the world in your terms and the need to obey the rules of the society. Take it lightly, just like a Gemini would do!

May 31st Mercury – now at the speed of light – is trine Pluto and your mental focus will skyrocket. Nothing can get in your way now as you are fully tuned in with your purpose.

If you want to know what the stars have in store for you from May 2017 until April 2018, the Astro Butterfly Calendar is available for purchase on my Etsy store

The Astrology Of April 2017 – Love And Devotion

Astro Butterfly

April is the month of love! We have a Full Moon in Libra (ruled by Venus) and a New Moon in Taurus (again, ruled by Venus). Moreover, Venus will turn direct on April 15th, giving us the green light for romance, relationships, money, personal values, beauty.

During the past six weeks, Venus asked us to have an honest look at our relationships, our possessions, our values, and check to see if they are still relevant. We are now ready to move forward in closer alignment with our true values. Venus turns direct close to Chiron at 26° Pisces, opening us to the healing power of love.

Four planets change direction in April, increasing their influence few days before and after their station:

  • Saturn turns retrograde on April 6th at 27° Sagittarius
  • Mercury turns retrograde on April 9th at 4° Taurus
  • Venus turns direct on April 15th at 26° Pisces
  • Pluto turns retrograde on April 20th at 19° Capricorn

With four planets changing direction, April will be a very intense month and we will experience everything to the fullest.

Let’s look at the major aspects

April

April 2nd Venus (Retrograde) will move back into Pisces – time to dive in again into the deep waters of our soul.

April 6th Saturn turns retrograde at 27° Sagittarius. Time to learn the gift of patience, discipline and endurance. Even if our progress towards our goals can slow down now,  the few months of Saturnian introspection will serve us well in the future.

April 7th Sun is opposite Jupiter triggering the Jupiter Pluto square. This is a very intense transit which can lead to power trips – moderation is required.

April 8th Venus is square Saturn and Sun is square Pluto.  These rather challenging squares will “push our buttons”  and ask us to make decisions about our relationships or about our personal values. Pluto wants us to face the truth, and deal with it.

April 9th Mercury starts its retrograde cycle at 4° Taurus. Mercury will station and turn direct on May 3rd. Mercury will be very close to Uranus during the last week of April and the first two weeks of May. This long transit favors innovative thinking and expressive communication. If you have planets around 25° Uranus you can have various breakthroughs during this period.

April 10th The Full Moon at 21° Libra will conjunct Jupiter and activate the Jupiter Pluto square. This is a highly eventful Full Moon. The Full Moon ruler, Venus is closely conjunct Chiron – we are asked again to open our hearts and be honest with ourselves. Jupiter and Pluto will tolerate no half measures.

April 13th Sun is conjunct Uranus at 24° Aries asking us to rebel and stand up for ourselves.

April 15th Venus turns direct , inviting us to complete our period of introspection and open our hearts to embrace the outside world again, guided by the lessons we have learned over the past six weeks.

April 19th Sun enters Taurus and in the same day Sun conjuncts Mercury . Mercury will start a new cycle at 0° Taurus, which is a very potent degree. The next 3 months Mercury cycle will teach us to focus our mind and be resilient against distractions.

April 20th Pluto turns retrograde. Take time to reflect on the Jupiter Pluto square and its lessons.

April 21st Mars enters Gemini and Venus squares Saturn again. By now, we should be totally ready for the change. The 3 Venus Saturn squares have been tough, but now we are stronger and wiser.

April 26th New Moon at 6° Taurus is rather unaspected. Venus, the New Moon ruler is still in a conjunction to Chiron, but is also applying a sextile to her lover Mars. Our heart should be healed by now. Time to start again as Venus enters Aries, the sign of new beginnings, immediately after the New Moon.

April 28th Venus is back in Aries and Mercury retrograde is conjunct Uranus. Time for passionate discussions and unexpected turns of events.

April 30th Saturn is square Chiron. This is the second of three Saturn–Chiron squares, representing society’s limiting belief system in conflict with the healing possibilities of Chiron. If we want to move to the next level we need to transcend the status quo. We are being invited to take a close look at own judgments and biases. You cannot heal the world, unless you heal yourself.

Why The Spring Equinox Is The Start Of A New Astrological Year

Astro Butterfly

A new astrological season is about to come along. The Spring Equinox of 2017 – or the first day of Spring arrives on March 19th/20th (depending on your time zone).

The Sun will enter the first sign of the zodiac, Aries and mark a change of seasons as well as the start of the Astrological New Year.

In fact in many cultures The Spring Equinox is celebrated as the start of a new year. Spring is the time of year when the cycle of life, death, and rebirth is complete.

As plants bloom and new life returns, the theme of resurrection is ever present. For example, the Christian tradition of Easter is celebrated soon after the Sun moves into Aries.

Equinox literally means “equal night.” At the Spring Equinox, day and night are the same length.

springequinoxaries

And although most of us have already written our New Year’s Resolutions early January, NOW is the best time to start something new.

Aries (the first sign of the zodiac) definitely has the power to lead the way and is a powerful manifestor. That’s why Aries season is the best time for new beginnings, for expressing oneself and making bold moves.

Don’t throw away your resolutions. You wrote them just after the Winter Solstice, another important astrological date.

If the Winter Solstice (period just after Christmas and beginning of January) is the best time to conceptualize things and aim high (yes, Capricorn), the Spring Equinox and the start of a new Sun cycle is the best time to make these goals tangible and put them into action. So if you haven’t done much with your resolutions by now, no worries! Now is the time to bring them to the next level!

Let’s take some examples…

  • If early January you set the goal to find a new partner, the Spring Equinox is about getting clear about what kind of partner you want (maybe you met some interesting ‘prospects’ 😉 since then), where can you find him/her, and then go and get them!
  • If you set a goal to double your income this year, now is the time to decide what are you going to do about it: ask for a raise, get another job, become self-employed, go and invest in the stock market.
  • If your goal was to learn a new language, now is the time to enroll to a language class or download a language app and start practicing.

History gives us so many examples about the importance of the Spring Equinox in the ancient world. The Great Sphinx of Egypt and many other sites around the world were positioned facing the Rising Sun at the Spring Equinox.

These sites used to be power spots, meant to attune to the eternal, everflowing energy of the universe.

Ancient Celtic and Mediterranean people celebrated the Spring Equinox as a sacred marriage between God and Goddess, yin and yang, day and night.

otherworld

The reason why the Equinoxes are so powerful is that they are the only times of the year when the day is equal to the night, no matter where you are on Earth.

And it is only when the day and the night are equal, when the sacred feminine and sacred masculine come in the same doze, that life can emerge.

It is this perfect equilibrium that allows the universe to manifest itself.

The Sun’s journey throughout the course of the year signifies an universal journey, undertaken by people throughout the world, and throughout time – the journey to enlightenment.

Take your time now and put your attention on what you want to create. Take advantage of this natural life force that arises with the Spring Equinox and the start of the New Astrological Year. This is a chance to manifest your soul’s desires.

Your intentions are like seeds that if planted in fertile soil and taken care of, will grow over the next season, to bloom at the time of the Summer Solstice in June. The harvest of the fruit will come at the Autumn Equinox in September when you will get the chance to ponder over what you’ve done  -and reap what you’ve sown. And later in the dark of the winter months, you can finally take the time to reflect on what is really important for you and prepare yourself again for the Spring.

The new Astrological year 2017-2018 arrives on March 19th/20th and will end on March 19, 2018.

To get a glimpse into how the New Year is going to look like let’s have a look at the chart of the Spring Equinox. If we focus on the closest aspects we notice that:

  • The ruler of the Equinox, Mars, is in Taurus
  • Sun is at the mid-point between Venus and Chiron
  • Moon exactly conjuncts Saturn at27° in Sagittarius and both conjunct the Galactic Center
  • Jupiter square Pluto
  • Jupiter opposite Uranus

This New Astrological Year will be about emotional maturity (Moon/Saturn) and breaking through the conditioning (Jupiter, Uranus, Chiron, Pluto) so you can fully shine your light of your true self (Sun, Venus, Chiron). The world needs you and your gifts!

The New Astrological Year will be dominated by Mutable and Cardinal energy, signifying change and a desire to move to the “Next level”. When it comes to elements the new cycle will be dominated by Fire and Water – there is a very “conducting” energy in the air this year meaning that our creative pursuits will ask for expression.

We have a lack of Fixed and Air energy, meaning that objectivity and persistence can be challenged this new Sun cycle. We are so eager to try everything that we can lose our head and skip important steps.

If natally you have a lot of Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) or Fixed energy (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) this year will ask you to find creative ways to deal with the environment around you.

predictions-main

The very high concentration and Cardinal and Mutable energy will make us all restless – we will want to move forward and start new things.

The trouble is, we won’t have the discipline to focus on our initiatives because we have a surprising low amount of “Fixed” energy.

On top of this, Mercury “the quicksilver” is the most active planet of the month. March is a month of action, but wait for April to start setting foundations (in April we will have Sun, Mercury and Mars in Taurus adding some stability).

The first part of 2017 is high on ”Mutable” and “Cardinal” energy, because the “big planets” that change sings slowly are all in Mutable and Cardinal signs: North Node (in Virgo, Mutable), Jupiter (in Libra, Cardinal), Saturn (in Sagittarius, Mutable), Uranus (in Aries, Cardinal), Neptune (in Pisces, Mutable), Pluto (in Capricorn, Cardinal), Chiron (in Pisces, Mutable).

Things will start to slowly stabilize when firstly in May we will have the North Node changing sings and moving into Fixed Leo and few months later in October when Jupiter will move to Scorpio.

Those of you that natally have a lot of Mutable and Cardinal energy will feel at ease because the environment will be on the same frequency with you. You will miss though some opportunities for profound transformations because it won’t be anything out there to get you out of your comfort zone.

If natally you have a lot of Fixed energy, and less Mutable and Cardinal, the opposite stands true – you might not feel “at ease” because the world will miss the stability you dearly need, but in the same time you have plenty opportunities for growth and personal transformation.

What should you do during the Spring Equinox (hint: wait for after the Spring Equinox kicks in, not before).  Here some suggestions:

  • Light red candles and speak aloud your intentions for the Astrological New Year
  • Do a brain dump: get all your goals and TO DOs out of your mind and onto paper
  • Prioritize: What are your top 3 goals? And what is your Number 1 goal for this year? How does everything fit together?
  • Start something completely new. If you don’t have inspiration, throw a dart, or simply pick randomly and event to go to or a class to enroll (of course everything you do should be legal and moral…but hope you get what the expansive and “beginner’s mind” Aries energy stands for 😉
  • Enroll in a gym, take up a sport or find something to do with your body. Aries is a highly active sigh dominated by Mars and Mars loves to make use of energy
  • Plan a date with your partner or with your new romantic interest. Don’t forget Venus is very close in the sky 😉
  • Gather with your close friends around a fire to share stories, music and dance. Dance around the bonfire. Do a ritual to celebrate the symbolic rebirth of the world around you.

Astrology of March 2017– Happy New Astrological Year!

Astro Butterfly

March is undoubtedly one of the most important and the most eventful  months of the year. Intense, almost electrifying, fresh and exciting, March will bring something new in our life no matter our astrological signature.  We have the Spring /Autumn equinox which brings the beginning of a new solar cycle, we have the 1st New Moon after the Equinox which will kick start the New Astrological year, we have Sun conjunct Venus bringing a new Venus synodic cycle, we have Venus retrograde, we have the 2nd Jupiter Uranus opposition and we have the 2nd Jupiter Pluto square…just to mention the major aspects.

march

Let’s have a look at what the stars have in store for us this month:

March start with a lovely Sun Neptune conjunction on 1st of March.  Our imagination will be heightened during this transit, so use this time to explore your talents and creativity and find your own sense of peace.

On March 2nd we have the 2nd Jupiter Uranus opposition. This opposition is extremely intense –  we will likely feel like it is “Now or never” and we’ve been given the last chance to break free of limitations. Although we may feel we cannot wait any longer, keep in mind that this is only the 2nd opposition between Jupiter and Uranus. We will have the “final act” of this transit later this year.

4th of March is one of the big dates of the year. Venus stations retrograde at 13° Aries, signaling a re-evaluation of our attitudes towards love, money, and personal values. Soon after Venus turns retrograde, Mercury conjuncts Neptune adding to the general confusion. Do not fear the Venus retrograde cycle – Venus will only bring to our awareness those things that needs to be reexamined. If we’ve been avoiding to make some decisions, it is likely that we will make them during the Venus retrograde.  But these decisions, especially those made before 25th of March will only help us prepare for the good things that WILL come after.

On the 6th of March Sun is conjunct Mercury at 16° Pisces.  Our communication will become empathetic and compassionate, and we will feel an impulse to express the more creative side of our psyche.

On March 9th Mars enters Taurus. Mars in Taurus will be in mutual reception with Venus in Aries. The two lovers are now in complicity, learning  from the other’s actions and bringing the best in each other.

The Full Moon in Virgo takes place on 12th of March at 22°. The Full Moon is opposite Chiron and Mercury and square Saturn. This is one of the rather challenging  Full Moons and will require a close examination of who we really are. We are being asked again to be disciplined and take responsibility for our lives. Nobody can help us but us.

On 13th of March Mercury enters Aries bringing a boost of enthusiasm and fresh ideas.  Communication becomes less foggy and more direct.

On March 14th Sun conjuncts Chiron and 3 days later on March 17th Sun squares Saturn. We can heal our wounds if we take responsibility for them and do the necessary work on ourselves.

On the 18th of March Mercury is conjunct Venus at 9° Aries. The conjunction also trines the Moon in Sagittarius. This is one of the sweetest days when our communication can become extremely affectionate and persuasive – mark your calendars if you have a presentation to give or if you want to confess your feelings to your crush 😉 – those of us with planets between 4°- 9° in Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are especially favored.

Happy new solar year! On the 19th of March Sun’s ingress into Aries will mark the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. Confidence and energy will rise as we will feel more optimistic about life and about the future.

Between 23rd and 24th of March Mercury in Aries squares Pluto in Capricorn and then opposes Jupiter in Libra. These are highly dynamic aspects– conversations can easily get heated but also new ideas can emerge out of this cosmic chaos.

On the 25th of March Sun is meeting Venus retrograde in a so called “inferior conjunction” which basically means Venus is in between the Sun and the Earth. This conjunction, which happens in the middle of her retrograde journey, will officially start a new Venus synodic cycle. I really love this aspect and I believe it is one of the most important aspects of the year. Not only Venus starts a new cycle, but the conjunction takes place immediately after the Equinox and just before the first New Moon of the astrological year. We have a new cycle of the Sun, a new cycle of Venus, AND a New Moon.

2017 will be the YEAR OF LOVE, undoubtedly. Those of us with planets or angles around 4° in Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) will especially be blessed with love this year. For all of us this new solar cycle will bring something new in what Venus stands for: romance, relationships, beauty, money and possessions, values. Anything is possible now: a new love, a new source of income – a door will open and Venus will bring her gifts. People with Taurus or Libra rising will also benefit from this aspect.

On the 26th of March Mercury is conjunct Uranus at 23° Aries bringing some exciting (and unexpected!) news.

27th of March marks the start of a new astrological cycle with the New Moon at 7° in Aries. The New Moon is conjunct Venus, and the ruler of the New Moon, Mars, makes positive aspects to Neptune and Pluto. This is an extremely dynamic and New Moon – Jupiter is only few minutes away from a perfect square to Pluto. We have Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto all activated (of course together with the Sun and the Moon) – expect DYNAMITE.

On the 30th of March we have the mighty Jupiter Pluto square. We are now in the middle of the storm – the 2nd aspect in a series of three is the most intense because both planets are retrograde and their focus is crystal clear. This is an  “all or nothing” transit –major decisions will be made now. Jupiter and Pluto are in a way the most powerful planets – Jupiter “the king of all gods the sky” and Pluto “the king of the underworld” are in the midst of their epic battle that will only end at the end of the year when the two will meet for the last time for the final confrontation. It shall be seen who wins and who loses.

The month ends with Mercury’s ingress in the sign of the Bull on the 31st of March. Our ideas will become less erratic and our communication will become more concrete.

If you want to know what the stars have in store for you in the upcoming months, the Astro Butterfly Calendar for March 2017 – February 2018 is available for purchase on Etsy. For details click here