Joan Porte – Page 19

A Few Tips From a Holistic Organizer To Take Advantage of Retrogrades

I know that I sound like a broken record but we are in a time of retrograded planets and today I want to talk about Jupiter. He is the planet of growth and expansion who pushes us out into the world to learn, grow, change and understand life. This period of retrograde is a perfect time to go deep inside and find the blockages that keep us stuck. What is keeping you from taking that bucket list trip? Why have you stopped learning, reading, exploring? Do you feel like life is one big bore but you can’t seem to get out of the hole? Essentially it is great time to clean out those cobwebs to make room for new potential.

I have asked my friend Julie Gray, a holistic time coach and organizer who helps people eliminate overwhelming blockages and enjoy more peace of mind – even when life gets crazy to show us one thing we can do in this time of retrograde to get back on track.

A Simple Trick to Relieve Clutter Anxiety

Do any of the following scenarios feel familiar?

Scenario #1: Paper

You’ve just got the mail and are staring at the latest donation request. You start to feel decision-paralysis creeping in. Should you keep it? Send them money now? Toss it and feel guilty?

Suddenly, your attention is caught by a bill that needs to be paid. You know right where this bill goes so you set down the donation request on the table.

Boom: your latest paper pile forms.

Scenario #2: Email

You receive an email from a local art studio letting you know about their new pottery classes. You’ve always wanted to take one but aren’t sure if you’ve really got the time. But if you don’t schedule this now how you will possibly remember to do it in the future?

As you mull over the options your attention is grabbed by an email from a friend. You “set aside” the decision about pottery classes or leave the email open so you are reminded to come back to it.

Boom: Another email loop is left unfinished.

Scenario #3: Tasks

You finish reading a book that your friend would love to read. It is so special that you decide to mail her a copy. You make a note on your to-do list to get this done right away. Three weeks go by and you are still guiltily transferring this task to the next day’s to do list vowing that it really will get done tomorrow.

Boom: your to-do list has become a nagging reminder list.

Scenario #4: Stuff

“Wow! Thanks Aunt Susie for this neat thingamajig! I can’t wait to use it…never.”

We often receive stuff from other people. Stuff we didn’t ask for. It might be nice, it might be thoughtful and yet if you don’t have an immediate use for something it stays in your office, car, or that corner in the dining room. It collects dust. It annoys you until it fades into the background you don’t see it anymore.

Boom: your new pile of clutter is born.

Clutter-is-unmade

As veteran professional organizer, Barbara Hemphill famously said decades ago, “Clutter is unmade decisions.”

What I am attempting to illustrate in these scenarios is just how easy it is not to make a decision in the moment – which is of course is a decision. But it is a passive/avoidant strategy that gnaws at us and fills us with frustration and anxiety. We know we haven’t fully “dealt” with something and are just delaying a decision.

There is Another Way

Here is where it gets interesting.

What if I told you that this habitual non-decision decision was really a good strategy?

What if I told you there was only one thing about it that needed to change in order for it to release your anxiety and frustration?

It is this: Intentionally Ripening.

Often, when we are presented with a decision we really can’t/don’t want to/don’t have enough information to make in the moment. This is normal. Often there needs to be time to allow a decision to “ripen”. This is time between the arrival of a new decision and the decision itself when information is gathered, intuition is checked, and priorities are prioritized.

Often this “ripening” is happening anyway. What I am suggesting is that you make this “ripening” stage intentional.

So often you absent-mindedly set down a paper, email, gift from your co-worker with the intention of going back to it soon. And when we don’t this non-decision decision can leave behind a nasty residue of low-grade anxiety.

But if you intentionally opted to delay the decision – to allow space for it to ripen – you will feel relief. You will know that you will come back around to it and make the decision much more easily at a later date.

Catching this habitual “putting off pattern” is an act of mindfulness.

When you catch the setting down of paper, the delayed decision in the moment, the procrastination of a task – you have given yourself a choice.

Mars in Retrograde – April to June

Mars does not retrograde often – about once every two years – but he will do so from April 18 to June 29 this year. Because of Mars’ attachment to war, anger and aggression traditional astrology labels him a malefic planet. In other words, he is not a planet that takes much guff. However, it does not mean that when he turns retrograde he becomes more malefic. Instead, like with all retrogrades, the energy turns more contemplative.

Do you have “anger issues?” By that I don’t just mean are you prone to road rage or screaming at everyone in your radius. Do you swallow your anger? Do you deflect anger into passive aggressive responses?

There is nothing basically wrong with anger and aggression. When channeled properly they make us change and grow. They keep us from negative situations or make us finally leave negative situations.

He will begin his retrograde at 8º Sagittarius. This fire sign will allow us to assess our more reactionary responses to our Mars energy. This is a more intense time and a good time to work if you are more of a reactor when angry. Why do you explode? Why can’t you control that fire in you?

Through May he heads all the way back to 23º Scorpio. Before the discovery of Pluto, Mars ruled Scorpio, a sign known for deep, intense feelings. This is a sign also known for holding grudges and brooding. If that is your way of expressing anger then this is your best time to work on a more positive methodology.

During this time of retrograde do an honest assessment of how you respond to situations that cause you consternation. If you fly off the handle or run and hide, this is the time to work on balanced responses.

Now It Is Junos Turn To Go Retro

This is the spring of retrogrades and now it is time for Juno to go introspective. Juno is an asteroid named for the goddess of loyalty. Where she is on your birth chart indicates the area in life where you wrestle with issues of commitment. Do you over commit or do you run away.

As she goes into this period of retrospection, think about how you allocate yourself. Yes, allocate yourself. Do you run away from people and hoard your energy and life? Or are you one who never has a moments peace and feels burdened by the bombardment of the demands of others? Realizing that you are in control of your time, your energy and your commitments is the first step to balancing your Juno energy.

As with all retrogrades this is a time of inward movement and self evaluation. Be honest with yourself but be kind. Take the little steps to move forward in balance.

Saturn Stationed Retrograde…

in Sagittarius on March 25 and will remain there until August 13. Saturn is rather a taciturn planet – demanding order and structure while Sagittarius is about adventure and expansion. This is not a constellation in which Saturn “enjoys” hanging.

A Saturn retrograde is a time to analyze how you order your life. Do you miss appointments because you can’t keep your calendar straight? Do you waste time because you can’t get yourself motivated? Are you over structured, over organized – with no time to play? This is the time to go inside and work on these issues.

When Saturn goes direct in August you will have had the benefit of these months of introspection and will be able to harness the great Sagittarius energy to make the changes you need!

Saturn may grumble about all of that overwhelming Sagittarius energy but think how much change you can make the planet goes direct in August. Reorder, restructure, recharge!

The Moon Jupiter Dance At the Full Moon

The Moon is nearly full and will be so on March 23. Between now and then you can see the bright Moon making a very close conjunction to enormous Jupiter. The Moon is in airy Libra right now and the combination of her co-dependent tendencies and Jupiter’s size and this has the makings for a very emotional full Moon. Pull back and keep yourself in control during this transit or you may regret your actions.

This is the first full Moon of Spring and known as the ‘Worm Moon’ named for the worm trails that appear at this time of year when Nature begins to awaken. Robin and Crow Moons are other names. Think of this reawakening at this emotional time to learn how you would like to tame your responses when the worms of life get under your skin!

A Pisces Vernal Equinox

The Vernal Equinox is a time to put all of the resting, rejuvenating energy of winter into action and literally burst forth with a new you, much like a new crop of flowers we begin to see this time of year.

This year we have a stellium of planets in the spiritual sign of Pisces. Venus, Neptune, Ceres, Chiron, Mercury and even the South Node are all in Pisces this year. We should not deny that amount of spiritual energy. Pisces connects us to the larger mysteries of the universe. Use this time to reach your highest spiritual goals. How do you want to connect to source, how do you want to live a more spiritual life? You have thought about this – now is the time to do it.

You must also remember the shadow aspect of Pisces which is escapism and illusion. Do not continue to put off the changes that you want to make or to, as they say, act is if you are the person you want to be.
Go head first into a new spiritual existence just like the flowers burst their heads forth into a new world.

Happy Equinox.

First the Solar Eclipse…

Later we will have a lunar one but let’s focus on the Solar Eclipse – happening March 7/8 (depending on your time zone.) We in North America won’t be able to see it. You have to be in Australia to get the best view. However, the energy will be available for all.

An eclipse is a great time for profound change. Solar eclipses help us make profound changes to our persona and this one is, as they say, a dilly. The Sun and Moon will eclipse at 19 -20 degrees Pisces in direct opposition to retrograded Jupiter at 18 degrees Virgo. Jupiter is our key to spiritual and philosophical growth. On a basic level, using this time to examine how we can grow is wise.

However, what is the essence of the Virgo/Pisces axis? It is symbolic of the traditional victim-martyr duality. Do you give too much? Do you take too much? Do you use the demands of others to keep yourself from growing?
This axis gives us the balance between Earth (Virgo) and spirit (Pisces).

If you work to the detriment of all other aspects of life then you are tipping the scales too much into the Virgo pond. If you refuse to face reality, live in fantasy and believe it is better to escape than revel in life then you are leaning excessively far over the Pisces fence.

During this time of growth, try to seek balance in these areas and you will experience the best this eclipse has to offer.

Don’t Underestimate Trump or Pluto.

Last week I examined the chart of Donald Trump illustrating his North Node desire to make an intellectual (and I use that term advisedly) impact on society. (Gemini North Node in the 10th House.)

When I place his chart alongside that of the United States I see that his Uranus placement is identical to that of the USA. Both have Uranus in the 10th house. A sign of a desire to stoke revolution and change in the public arena. He is clearly striking a nerve with those who are “tea party revolutionaries” and want to start over.

Don’t overlook his very positive signs in the 11th house, where we come together with like-minded people. Pundits have been waiting for him to implode, for his outrageous behavior to turn people off. In fact, it has done just the opposite. His Mercury (communication skill) is on the conjunction American has of Sun, Jupiter and Venus and all of this land in the 11th. He has found his way to speak to a certain set of people that speaks to their heart and hopes. Like it or not, he has struck a chord.

It is vital to remember that Pluto is in Capricorn. Pluto demands change and Capricorn controls authority and governmental entities. The last time Pluto was in this constellation we had the American and French Revolutions. Anything can happen here. We saw the (in my opinion) positive effects of this placement, in the election of our first African American president, Barack Obama. Don’t think we can’t see the election of a fascist reality star as well.

Pluto demands change. The type of change is up to us.

Donald Trump – So Loud

I hate the idea of giving any more energy to the train wreck that is the Donald Trump presidential campaign but look at his chart I must. That he has Leo rising with aggressive Mars, also in fiery Leo, sitting on the first house should be of no surprise. His self-centered, egotistical rants touting his ultimate knowledge of all things governmental are clear evidence of the arrogance given by these placements.

What I find most interesting is his South Node placement. His South Node Sagitarrius in the Fourth House – meaning he spent a good deal of time gathering information close to home – learning all he could learn about life.

Now his North Node is in Gemini ten – meaning he wants to spread all he knows to the world. Next to that Node is his Sun meaning his life forced is infused with throwing his verbal weight around. Uranus on the other side makes him love to be rebellious and shocking. Sadly, the tenth house is the house of government so he is being drawn to act out in that arena.

I hope he soon learns, although I don’t hold out much hope, that a Gemini North Node requires you to stop thinking you are the smartest kid on the block and shut up and learn. Yeah, I said I don’t hold out much hope.

Bernie: An Accurate Birth Chart?

I am being “hounded” by friends and clients to weigh in on the 2016 election. While I am a political junkie, it is hard to get a good read on the situation mostly because we don’t always have correct birth charts of the candidates. There is still a debate on Hillary Clinton (isn’t there always) as to her time of birth – is it 802 AM or PM?

There is a time for Bernie Sanders of 12:27 PM, however, there seems to be no primary source identification so I remain skeptical.

Using this chart, we see someone who wants to make his mark on the world in a very tangible way! With a stellium of planets in his 10th house – house of career and government – his involvement in government is the stuff that feeds him. Included in this is his North Node in Virgo. His karmic path in this life is to come out of hiding in his house, (Pisces South Node in the 4th), and stop being someone who used his family as an excuse not to engage in society. I think he is doing that big time!

The retrograded Mars next to his Moon and both in Aries is a little unnerving – that indicates some buried anger. Perhaps he is channeling that anger now with his fire and energy.

Retrograded Uranus with Saturn in the seventh means that he will eventually find a way (eventually because the retrograde takes a while to correct) to infuse new ideas (Uranus) into traditional systems (Saturn.)

As someone who is very skeptical of his ability to win, I have admit that I am happy with this chart. It shows someone destined to make an impact on society. Does that mean a trip to the White House? I don’t know. I have to compare candidates charts to that of the US and to election day (so stay tuned) but win or lose Bernie will force changes.

PS He shares a Scorpio (secretive) rising with Hillary which is not great for a Chief Executive.