Saturn Return Can Bite Me

Midlife Transits horoscope

Hoo boy, Scorpio.

I’ve mentioned before that Pluto in Capricorn is transiting through your solar 3rd house of intellectual pursuits. Pluto wants you to pay attention to your thoughts rather than just your feelings. More precisely, Pluto would like you to understand that your thoughts create your feelings and that you can control your thoughts. I mention this because Pluto is your ruler and he’s moving real slow these days, trying to get your attention. He’ll come to a dead stop next month and then he’ll gear up for a mighty battle with Uranus in Aries in June.

We get an itsy-bitsy preview of this coming clash of the titans as inner planets try to sneak through Aries in March without attracting too much attention. Aries in your solar chart represents your job, service, health, and the daily tasks of life, whether performed on your own behalf or for others. Uranus has been in this part of your chart for over a year and Venus moved into Aries last month. The sun moves into Aries on the 20th, and Mercury is in Aries from the 2nd through the 23rd. Now is a good time to familiarize yourself with how your thoughts affect your experience of 6th house matters.

Uranus will be in your 6th house for about another 6 years, and he’s a pretty darn intellectual planet himself. He and Pluto may battle about specifics but they both agree that you need a nice big dose of reasoning and objectivity these days to move yourself to the next level.

If Pluto and Uranus can’t get you to contemplate these matters, then Saturn may be able to. Saturn is currently moving through your solar 12th house of psychological issues, and he’s trying to pry open any issues you have with ideas about work and career and social status and the relationship of service to all these things.

You theoretically have more energy at your disposal to deal with these areas of life now because Neptune, Mr. Psychological Complex himself, has finally stopped brooding about your residence and moved on to a more favorable location in your solar chart. Mars is still kicking up a little dust these days around your relationship with groups, but he’s nothing compared to what Neptune was doing to your chart.

The other area of big importance in your solar chart these days is relationships and other people. Venus and Jupiter hook up in your solar 7th house of committed relationships and make goo-goo eyes at Pluto and Mars the week of the 12th. Other inner planets throw a party in Pisces and your solar 5th house of romance. It’s a wonderful month for falling in love! If you cannot bear to actually fall in love at this time, at least seek out or even pursue attractive people to spend time with. You will make at least 5 planets very happy if you do. And if you don’t think there’s anybody out there–look again; the planets will be happy to point some people out to you.

Other People In Your Chart: How Your Natal Transits Tell Their Story

"Did you know that you can see what’s happening in the lives of family, friends and lovers by studying your natal chart?

Transits to your chart will illustrate changes in your life. This includes those you are involved with. Because unless you live in a vacuum, part of your chart includes the people you interact with."

This is a really good point to make.

March Planet Waves

As usual.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)
Jerry Garcia used to remind us that, “Every silver lining’s got a touch of gray.” He meant that as a caution against believing in a perfect life, and there was something in there about making peace with growing older. Let me put it another way. The fact that you might be willing to take a gamble implies that you’ve got something to lose. You wouldn’t be taking a risk otherwise, would you? At the moment you may be remembering every bet you ever lost, and at the same time feeling less than willing to put something on the line. The truth is, something is at stake. And you might feel better about that if you felt more confident in who you are and what you want. Aspects this month seem destined to stir up that question again, but it’s not for nothing. You’re trying to break free of the past with every cell in your body, and with every photon in your aura. Who has held you down in the past, and how have they done it? That’s the place to set everyone else free. In any event, the whole matter of desire is up for review. How you feel about wanting, and how you feel about having, are at the heart of your struggle with contentment. If your standard is perfection, you may never get to the point where you feel satisfied. But there may be a way to change your standard without actually compromising what you want.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
When we use the phrase ‘change my mind’, we make it sound like a decision that we can change right back. I would propose that to change your mind is to change yourself, when you really do it. You actually rearrange aspects of not just your thought pattern but also your neurology. One special point of focus of your life now is changing your mind about how you respond to the expectations of others. Few would accuse you of being a conformist, but you’re someone who is keenly sensitive to what others believe. In recent months you’ve been sorting out this particular relationship — the one between you and ‘everyone else’. You’re not done with this process yet; you’ve yet to reach escape velocity, but I believe you’re at the point where you’re learning to notice that there is indeed a contrast between your ideas about life, and the things that you want, and those of others — including what others claim to want for you. Globally, this setup creates tension so subtle and so pervasive that few notice its existence, yet many are trapped within it. You may need to be pushy or what seems like overly assertive to establish your way of doing things, the one that’s right for you — and I suggest you err on the side of too bold rather than not bold enough. This will help you locate and learn to effectively work a boundary that you’ve been struggling with for a while.

Describing the quincunx

"the quincunx is an aspect that doesn't offer the chance to act and do something about the situation."

Hah, yeah, that feels right.

Skipped steps, nodal contacts, astrology

This is definitely something I find interesting, especially thinking of someone who has a planet on mine.

When you meet someone with one or more planets that conjuncts your skipped step, they trigger the issue. There is a strong past life connection between the two of you, because that person was part of your unresolved issue. When you meet them in this life, as a romantic partner, the pull can be extremely strong. But the feelings that arise can be complex and frustrating for both parties.

Hah, mine's almost this example, too, except substituting Jupiter. Which I have around the same place natally too.

Example 2: North Node in Libra/South Node in Aries

For our next example, let’s say Ann’s South Node is in Aries, and her North Node is in Libra. It’s easy for Ann to be independent and do her own thing. Relationships (North Node Libra) and cooperating with other people are not one of her strengths. They scare her because being in a partnership would mean losing her identity. In her past life, Ann’s existence might have depended on staying strong, staying separate and remaining unencumbered.

Ann’s Mars in Cancer is square her Nodal Axis. Here’s Henry with his Mars in the same degree of Cancer as Ann’s. Tons of sexual heat with Mars conjunct Mars, but he also triggers her distaste of nurturing. Hugs make Ann feel smothered, and neediness is a turn-off. In a past life, Henry might have been overly dependent on Ann; perhaps he was crippled and she had to (grudgingly) nurse him back to health. Maybe she was a warrior who was sworn to protect him. In any case, Ann abandoned him and did not fulfill her promise to protect.

Now Henry’s back with his Mars in Cancer, demanding affection. Ann might push him away again, or she could take a step forward and realize that her fear of being smothered/trapped is just that: a fear. Henry may have a vague, panicky feeling that Ann will break up with him. The more he tries to push for commitment, the more he drives her away. Ann won’t help matters by keeping him at arm’s length. If both can wrap their heads around the idea that what they are feeling is part of an old, past life script, they can evolve together.

Using Your Skipped Step to Evolve

It’s always tricky when a romantic partner triggers your skipped step. There is a powerful draw, with an equally powerful frustration, or even repulsion. The details of your unresolved story can be found in the house positions of the skipped step planet and the North and South Nodes. Your skipped step partner is more than just a painful reminder of your past life failings; they are your key to evolving in this life. But as always, it’s up to you and your partner, if you want to work through the story together and start a new chapter. Or, you may decide to leave this one for the next life.

How to deal with Mars/Saturn

"She’s got to find expression for that opposition, at work most likely, and then not bring the work home."

Michael Lutin's Daily Fix again

more on the retrograde of Saturn at 29 Libra from February 7- end of June: what you need to do at this point:
NO, not sit on the toilet. THINK! Continue on your way, knowing that there is no shortcut, no device,no button you can push to make everything happen the way you want---the way you think you want. Are you certain of what you want and where you want to go?You may think you are but we bet you are NOT.
Take this time to rethink the whole thing. You've got about five months to work it out and negotiate.If you take the time and effort, it will be a win win situation believe it or not. Even tragedies and losses have something to teach us, so for the moment rethink everything. Do you know how easy it is for negative thoughts to creep in ?This is what the demons love.It's the crack they love to slip through.And yes, it is still all about 1983 whether you were born then or not.
You must make an effort to persevere.

Oh, hah, just looked at "Next Week In Review."

TAURUS AND TAURUS RISING Work would be a total drag if you didn’t have all the new found freedom to look forward to. You have a whole new vista opening up before your hungry eyes: new notions and goals to pursue, fresh opportunities all around that could easily bump you up to a whole social scene. You should keep in mind the little fact that unless you are interested in making some long-term changes on the inside, it will simply be more of the same series of endless distractions that end up not really satisfying your appetite.

True enough.

SCORPIO AND SCORPIO RISING
You have only begun to explore the oceans of creativity that lie within you, just waiting to be tapped. Since you know that the search for fame or glory ridiculous, why waste two seconds bitching about and dwelling on how some jerks get so far in the world on unimaginably crappy talent. Right now you’re on your own path, which at times may seem really stupid to you, considering the effort you’ve put into it. Greatest asset: a dedication few people have the balls to hang on to. Greatest liability: loss of faith.

Yeah,  won't argue that the path looks stupid. Big time.

And I have pretty much lost faith these days. Flushed down the toilet.

This week's AstroBarry

Well, that's a gut-kicker.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The momentary snips and snatches of instant enlightenment, which are eager to shoot their perspective-altering genius in your eyes like old-time flash-bulbs, will only appear if you stop manically (or maniacally) doing for long enough. Yet, without a doubt, there remains much to do—and an onus on you, Taurus, to maintain a fairly steady and persistent pace. Be balanced about it, however, if you hope to see your life evolve, over the coming years, in strange and interesting ways… rather than it simply continuing to present these same items at this fairly steady and persistent pace. Carve out an impulsive escape, for a couple hours or a couple days, during which you are intentionally courting those magnificently mischievous messages from heaven, outer space, or the deities… the sort that might shove you onto an odd side-path (which could later prove to be the main road) faster than you'd have a chance to argue your reluctance. Said differently: You need to schedule a play-date with the universe (and/or any spirit-guides or unnamed mystical influences you'd like to include).

Well, yeah... I do need to do that. I am better about doing that when the weather is warmer, though. It's hard for me to go bond with the universe indoors or freezing.

SCORPIO (October 23-November 21): Should you find yourself confronting the possibility of abrupt rhythmic shifts to your daily routine, Scorpio, please trust that giving in to them will be for the best. However, getting hooked into the urge to interpret the potential consequences of making such shifts (which have obviously presented themselves as preferable, if not necessary) won't do you any favors. To be responsive to changing circumstances is to admit, with no shame required, the original intended method wasn't able to cover all the bases… and therefore, a certain degree of 'winging it' is the only antidote. And 'winging it', of course, means not knowing exactly what'll happen next. These sort of on-the-spot adaptations are called for all the time. While the controlling part of your psyche is probably never going to adore the embrace of improvisational techniques, the part that just wants to get shit done ought to understand it must dip and swerve if the job demands it. Within those margins of 'making it up as you go along', please remember, there resides quite a lot of creative interest.

Pinky and the Brain

Oh yeah, this is why I don't do online dating... I'm picky AND I'd rather build a death ray.

BRAIN: (Turns off computer and walks to the edge of the cage, stares off into the distance) Enough of this foolishness! You know what we're going to do tonight, Pinky?

PINKY: Go out and try to find someone in person, so we can see them for who they really are instead of dismissing them offhandedly based on a few lines of type and a couple of pictures?

BRAIN: No Pinky. We're going to try to take over the world with my army of remote controlled pigeons I've trained to poop on anyone whop dares challenge our dominance. It's a much more practical and achievable goal.

PINKY: (sighs) I'm lonely.

BRAIN: Shut up Pinky.

Today's Daily Fix

DAILY FIX TUESDAY
1 feb
Is someone standing in the way of your "happiness"?
This may not resonate with you
but we bet it probably does.
Are you with somebody (personal or business)
who for one reason or another is not fulfilling your needs
but someone you can't get away from either
or
hankering after somebody
you think you could give you everything you really want
but scared to go for it
either that or the person is unavailable.
Seems llike someone is ignoring or avoiding somebody else?
Getting little or no response?
Blame it on Saturn.
Time. Almost stops. Progress interrupted. Seems to take forever waiting for tock after tick.
The other shoe fails to drop. The wheels of justice all but grind to a halt. Traffic is jammed. Judges
are absent from the bench. People scramble to create order out of the rising tide of chaos.
Until clocks are adjusted within, people feel depressed, lethargic, worried,
fearful that resolution will never come.
They get stuck in the lowest dip of the cycle, forgetting that it is just a cycle and will
certainly eventually go back up. It can be a period of contemplation and working harder with more patience and determination to arrive at a satisfactory solution for everyone involved,
or a sense of hopelessness.
Everything slows down, so there's nothing to be gained by hurrying
except to be set back further.
Timing is everything
and for starting relationships
the timing is all wrong.

And this week's horoscopes for me...

TAURUS AND TAURUS RISING

Career and/or reputation issues been nagging at you? .It won’t be easy to get motivated if you can’t stay focused or dedicated. Not surprising, though. No matter how thrilling a possibility can be at the start, everything gets old after while. Besides, you shouldn’t have to be bugged by insignificant, tiny, puny, details that swarm around you like mosquitoes. Every time you swat one, you hear the whine of another. Gotta realize that well there are simply no shortcuts to happiness or success.

SCORPIO AND SCORPIO RISING
A long-term family/.home issue is about to be resolved at last. As soon as you clear up this final drip drip drip that’s been keeping you awake in the middle of the night, you’ll be ready to come out of your shell and perform as you have never performed before. It is going to take guts, faith and the ability to say good-bye to the familiar, let go of some ties and move to a new place in your life. Over the next several months keep that faith no matter what. Don’t be afraid of the blank page.