Joan Porte – Page 14

Vesta Enters Virgo Today

Virgo is Vesta’s happy place. Most modern astrologers give rulership of Virgo to the asteroid Vesta. This transit is all about devotion to duty. Vesta’s domain was hearth and home, similar to the Greek Hestia. She kept the fires of the temple burning and was dutiful, almost narrow minded in her task. ”

Virgo and Vesta have general domain over the body – how we feed, care and work the body – our health and our work habits. Even if you do not have much Virgo influence in your chart, this would be a good time to run a “check-up” of these areas. Do you need to make that doctor’s appointment, get that test? Is your desk a mess? Do you have a thousand years’ worth of paper work waiting to be recycled? Work with Vesta now to make these things happen.

Vesta in Virgo is also about finding the sacred in daily life. It is a very a very grounding, nitty-gritty placement and a time not just to smell the roses but find the mysticism in their design. No matter how mundane, try to see spirit in all you do.

Can We Talk? Venus in Gemini

Venus moved into Gemini on July 4 and will remain there for the rest of the month. This is a great time for intellectual conversation and stimulation. Gemini loves the exchange or flow of information and hates to be bogged down or bored. It is the sign that lives to find the “meeting of the mind” with others. During these warm summer months, he encourages us to linger by the picnic table enjoying the interchange with others – swapping and even debating ideas

Venus, the goddess of love, when transiting Gemini brings out that desire to seek partners who share your intelligence, and reasoning skills. The way to the heart of a Venus Gemini person is through their brain! Both John and Jacqueline Kennedy shared Venus in Gemini so despite what others said about the marriage it was intellectually stimulating. His official White House portrait has him standing in a contemplative mode with his head down. She did that because she wanted people to remember what a great mind he had. Now that is Venus in Gemini!

So take advantage of this time to do something we seem to have forgotten, talk WITH someone – exchange ideas – see the Venusian beauty in learning from another.

Are Your Ready to Grab the Energy of the Solar Eclipse?

The total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 will streak directly across the United States. An eclipse always portends great change but the effects do not hit like a cyclone. They are, however, like ripples on an ocean, gradually forcing changes as they slowly spread. The idea that an eclipse is some sort of cosmic thunderclap is misguided. You won’t suddenly receive and infusion of solar energy the moment it begins. Still, we cannot deny the stunning transformation and even upheaval caused by a solar eclipse.

An eclipse amplifies the energy of the planets in its path for a period of one to three years after it happens. This is why it is so important to know where the eclipse will occur in your chart. For instance, in my case, it will be over my natal Pluto, causing me to face continuing issues of empowerment and transformation. If over Mercury, your communication and socialization skills will come into focus, etc.

There is no doubt the power of this eclipse. First, it comes right over the United States, so we cannot escape the impact. During the eclipse, the Sun will be in the sign it rules, fiery Leo. The Moon, of course, will also be in Leo, since an eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth. Add to the mix the fact that Mars, the ruler of aggressive Aries, will also be in Leo and conjuncting both of these bodies and you see the power of this event. However, there one more placement will infuse this eclipse with phenomenal energy. It will take place very near the star Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation of Leo and one of the brightest stars in the entire night sky. It will happen right at the heart of Leo the mighty Lion.

Harness this energy and you can make profound changes in your life – contact me for a special solar eclipse chart.

When Sessions Testifies: Mercury Trines Neptune

How appropriate! Just when Jeff Sessions goes before Congress to answer questions about the on-going Russian hearings, we have Mercury, the communicator trining or in harmony with Neptune, the dreamy obfuscator!

Mercury is in the constellation it rules, Gemini, thus making her very powerful – and Neptune is in its “home” of Pisces.

Mercury is the fleet footed creature who carries the messages from the gods and rules all forms of communication. Pisces, is the spiritual dreamer who would rather live in a perfect, non-physical world than clunky old reality. You can see how this can lead to prevarication in those less attuned to world of spirit. This is not a good day for getting at the truth!

For those of you NOT dodging questions, use this day to communicate with spirit – it is a great day for meditation, prayer and connecting to those no longer here in the physical.

It is all how you use the energy, folks!

Jupiter Turns Direct On June 9 When the Moon is “Full” in Sagitarrius

For those of you who love retrogrades – and you know who you are – you have just a few more days of Jupiter in this position. Seriously, retrogrades are great times to work on the energy not only of the planet but of the constellation it is stutter-stepping in during the retrograde.

Jupiter turned retrograde back in February in Libra, ruled by Venus, the sign of relationships both romantic and financial. Of course, Jupiter is our largest planet and urges to explore the world, indeed, the universe. The last thing Jupiter wants is restriction and confinement. This retrograde period is perfect to explore where you feel boxed in by relationships or, equally importantly, where you are boxing yourself in with negative thought. Jupiter is our jovial planet – so thoughts like, “No one will ever like me” or ” I can never get my money under control” do not sit well with her.

Get to the root cause of these blockages and other relationship concerns. Then be reading to burst forth with a new plan of action when Jupiter goes direct and the Moon is “full” in the constellation ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius.

No more excuses – Jupiter was growth and Libra seeks balance. Use these last few days of retrograde to see how you can be ready for all of that positive energy and rebuild or rework your relationships.

Are You Honestly Ready for the Sagittarius Full Moon?

I use the word honestly because it is near and dear to the heart of a Sagittarius. Never ask a Sag. if a dress makes you look fat because they will tell you, in spades and double-downed.

This full Moon is on the Sagittarius-Gemini or information axis. Gemini likes to gather data and disseminate it as quickly as possible. Sagittarius prefers to ruminate on each topic and get to know every single detail.

What do you do when we have a Full Moon on this axis? Evaluate how we absorb information, of course!

Here are some prompts to think about before the Full Moon on June 9. These will help you manifest the best path for you to gain knowledge and cut out the “noise” that prevents you from learning new ideas to your fullest potential.

Remember – Sagittarius wants you to be HONEST with yourself.

Have you been toying with the idea of going back to school or getting a degree? This is the time to stop procrastinating.
Are there classes you can take either by travelling (like a summer cooking trip to Italy?) or on the internet? Dig out those old flyers and make a decision!
Sagittarius vibrates the ninth house which urges us to explore, seek and learn our philosophical or spiritual credo. What do you believe? Can you commit your beliefs to paper? Do you need to work on developing your “truth?”

Use this time to explore, grow and develop your ideas fully! Think big!

This is Not Watergate

History repeats itself but never in same way. While it is easy to draw similarities with our last Constitutional crises, Watergate, the Trump related problems are vastly different, politically and astrologically. Watergate was an abuse of power by a paranoid man and his henchmen. This is the possible collusion with a foreign power by a presidential candidate and then president and his men.

Watergate happened during the last of a series of Pluto/Saturn/Jupiter squares that characterized the previous decade. While we have come off similar series of squares, the energy now is deeper and more karmic.

I have stated in earlier blogs that neither Trump nor Clinton were following their North Node, current soul’s destiny, by running for President. Trump had the chance to pivot once elected. His South Node, or karmic identity, is of an “all knowing” leader of his family and community, (Sagittarius fourth house.) This was evident every time he said “I alone can fix this” on the campaign trail. He could have pivoted and opened himself up to his Gemini North Node in the tenth house which asks him to open up to new sources of information as he takes on a role of authority. He preferred the company of his old ways which never leads to success. That his presidency would be a failure was a given. However, this is the tip of the iceberg.

There are many ominous astrological signs on the horizon this summer. Saturn, Pluto and Neptune all turn retrograde. In August, when Uranus goes into retrograde they will all be in that “backward motion.” In addition, in August, we have a powerful Leo solar eclipse occurring at the heart of Leo on the brilliant star Regulus. An eclipse sends cosmic ripples of change that lasts for years.

Let us not forget that America is in its Pluto return. Pluto takes 276 years to move around the Sun, the last time it was in Pluto and the second house was during the American Revolution. We are in a revolution. Pluto holds up a mirror and says take a good look and get rid of the detritus – get rid of what you have been hiding from yourself. Take a good look. Whether we leave the junk where it is or throw it out is all up to us. Pluto is the original kill you or cure you planet.

This is not Watergate. This is a deep karmic comeuppance – for Trump and, more importantly, for America.

The Comey Firing

So was happening on Tuesday night when Trump fired FBI Director Comey? Mercury, recently out of retrograded and in the fire sign of Mars, made an exact conjunction to Uranus, also in Mars, as it is trining Saturn in retrograde. Let’s break that down. Mercury, the communicator whose fleetness of foot allowed him to be the messenger from the gods, is ripe for some caustic words because of the infusion of the Mars energy. When he is cozying up to rebellious and fitful Uranus also infused with Mars aggression – it makes the time recipe for aggressive, erratic communications.

The Saturn retrograde is the key to this because it is the planet of authority. By turning retrograde this summer it creates the perfect opportunity for the revelation of more government secrets. A retrograde is a time for everyone to go within and discover what no longer works. Will this Saturn retrograde bring more government muck to the surface – and what will we do about it? Was the sudden firing of Comey a quick and aggressive attempt to keep secrets hidden?

By placing the chart of Tuesday night next to Trump’s chart we get a clearer picture of why he chose that time to fire the FBI director. The Mercury/Uranus conjunction take place in his eighth or power house and Saturn is in his fifth house of personal creativity and expression. Was Comey coming too close to impeding the power Trump thinks he can wield without restriction? Was he suppressing Trump’s ability to be Trump? I think so but you can draw your own conclusions.

Look too at Vesta on his natal Pluto – there will be challenges to his power which he loves to wield in secret. This will last until the end of the year so we are in for the long haul of power struggles.

A Cosmic Lesson in Mutual Reception

This week the universe will demonstrate one of the basic tenants of Astrology, mutual reception.

This is when one planet is in the sign ruler of another and vice versa. This week Mars (which rules Aries) is in the sign of Gemini (ruled by Mercury.) At the same time, and Mercury (Gemini’s ruler) is in Aries (Mars’ ruler.)

This criss cross flow of energy enhances both of the planets with increased power. With the boost of Martian aggression, there is the chance of finding yourself exchanging harsh words with someone even if you are unsure of the source of that anger. Mercury and Gemini have domain over through process and speech, while Mars and Aries like to dwell in the more aggressive arena of personal expression and the flow of anger and unrest.

Those people with a high amount of Mercury/Gemini and Mars/Aries in their birth charts will feel this more readily than those who don’t.

It is best to harness the Mars energy and use it to have those “difficult” conversations. Being aware that this is a time for verbal aggression, you can make the concerted effort to arrange in advance what you want to say. Mars does not always lead to battle – Mars can give you the courage to say those things that you have kept bottled up. It just needs a bit of planning. Breathe, think, speak should be your motto.

Libran Lessons of Balancing the Self During the April Full Moon

I had a very interesting dream the other night. It started with me entertaining three close friends for breakfast. Unfortunately, I hadn’t realized I had schedule+6d a meeting of a civic group one hour later and then my book club was coming just minutes later. As these three events converged I found myself sort of spinning around trying to please every group and failing miserably with each. I woke up laughing at myself and thinking what a perfect dream for a Libra rising person at the height of the full Libran Moon!

The full Moon this month, a Moon in Libra, peaked on April 11. It occurred when Jupiter and the Moon were in conjunction and opposing both the Sun and Uranus. Jupiter makes everything more grandiose. Our largest planet hates boundaries. Libra, being an air sign also prefers total free range and is our most social of signs. Libra loves to get into the business of others and can go to the extreme of total co-dependence. These two coming together just want nothing more than for us to lose all sense of self and blend with and get the acceptance and approval of others.

Someone like myself with a Libra ascendant (having Libra on the cusp of the first, eastern most, house that of personality hence our rising sign) can relate to this never ending need to merge with others. It is so easy for someone with a strong Libran chart to lose themselves totally. For that reason I knew that my dream was a message from Libra to pull back, slow down, and come back to myself.

With the Sun opposing the Moon (which is why the Moon is full at this time because we can see it without the interference of the Sun) – we feel the disconnect between our inner selves – the Sun – and our emotions – the Moon. This is a perfect time to ask where you are either blocking or allowing your emotions to take over.

When you throw Uranus, the rebel, into the mix you get the desire to break free – to be follow your own drummer. It was the part of the dream asking me to find my own desires in this mix of doing for others. He was asking me to break from my self-imposed social demands and do what I needed and wanted to do for me again.

When I looked at that Libran Moon this week, I kept the dream in mind as I tried to remember to reign in the negative aspects of Libra – and maintain that Uranus spark of myself in my hectic socialized life.

Others with a strong Libra influence in their chart should take a moment to reflect on that balance we children of the scales must maintain.