Pre Solstice Planetary “Hits”

The Solstice finally arrives on June 21 at 6:51 AM, Eastern Time. However, before it arrives we have a couple of planetary aspects to which you might want to pay attention. Actually, you will have to pay attention because none of these planets are shy, retiring little creatures.

On June 14, Mars will make a square, a disharmonious contact, with Pluto. If one of these planets are in either retrograde or badly aspected in your chart – expect to be out of sorts for a few days. You might even be itching for a fight. Watch out for road rage and people acting out.

June 19 sees Uranus coming into the act. This Mars, Uranus Pluto T-Square – or three planet square – represent the tail end of the much spoken of Grand Cross that has been in play since April. If anyone has been planning some big disaster since the Cross started I fear they will make it happen now. (Not that missing plane and 300 missing little girls are not horror enough.) I hope all security systems are on guard during this time.

What we have is a lot of testy energy – Mars, warrior, Pluto, slow change and Uranus demanding quick change – a rebel energy —- going on at this time. So everyone please breathe and think of the Solstice to come!

The Joy and Healing Possibilities of a Mercury Retrograde.

It takes the Sun 225 million years to revolve around the Milky Way center. Keep that in mind because now I have to tell you that Mercury will retrograde from June 7 to July 2 this year. See now it is not 225 million years in retrograde so no worries!

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I hate the doom and gloom energy that surrounds so much of astrological writings these days. Retrograde periods are a good time to go inward and explore that energy in our chart. We have an aversion to slowing down and assessing our talents in this society as we think we need to be always “on point.” We are so “go, do, move, be.” Instead of “think, assess, learn who you are and improve the inner self!” Retrogrades tell us to go within, assess and improve. As much as we moan about them, retrogrades are necessary evils. They are pointers to areas which need improvement in our lives. We have the choice of complaining or doing something about our issues!

With her permission, in fact, it was her idea; I am sharing the chart of Mari McCarthy, the dynamo behind CreateWriteNow, www.createwritenow.com. Mari’s mantras are Create Your Life Write Now with Mari, and Journaling for the Health of It! She is a no nonsense journaling coach who helps motivated people who want to do to the work to get the most of their lives. She is a teacher who lives the lesson every day and has turned her Mercury retrograde around and now shows others how to do the same.

Mari was born with her Mercury retrograded in her fifth house, the house of creativity and expressing our inner talents. With the Mercury in reticent Capricorn, an astrologer would immediately say this is a person with self-expression problems, someone who does not want her voice heard or cannot make it heard. That was the beginning of Mari’s story but not her current story. Through intense introspection, hours of journaling work – which she now teaches her client, and sheer courage, she has found the karmic and current life roots of that retrograde and has more than set that Mercury energy on a direct path again.

While as a child, she was afraid to express herself, always allowing others to be her voice Mari is now a fierce advocate for herself. She has literally found her voice – her singing voice – that she never felt had value and she has taken to the recording studio.

She didn’t stop there, however. Mari also has applied her journaling energy beyond “just” finding her voice and now is literally journaling her way back to physical health. (Notice that Capricorn, ruler of her retrograded Mercury, opens her sixth house of health.) She wouldn’t let the health problems caused by this energy debilitate her and every day she is on a return path to wellness.

Mari has not only reversed her Mercury retrograded action, she has taken her lessons learned and paid them forward to people willing to do the work with her. It is a classic case of karmic lemons into lemonades.

Mari and I became instant friends, having found each other through our work. One of the things that made me like her so quickly was that she didn’t give off the energy I see so often of “oh I can’t do anything because I have this retrograde here and that retrograde there.” Instead she was glad to see the retrogrades so that she could concentrate her energy on them. She had already been doing so much work on herself and now she said the chart was truly like a road map. Creative music to my ears!

So instead of complaining about the inevitable problems of a Mercury retrograde, use that inward energy to do that inner work necessary to correct your expression issues. While you are at it check out Mari’s website, CreateRIghtNow.com.

Where is Nine Degrees of Libra in Your Chart?

Finally! Mars will come out of his long retrograde! On May 19, Mars will find his way forward and will assist you in putting new plans and ideas into motion. I have one caveat here – the retrograded Mars was part of the fabled “grand cross” of April. Anyone plotting malevolent deeds, not using the energies of the cross to advance themselves spiritually, will use this time to put their deeds into actions.

However, I am sure all of my readers are the most enlightened of creatures so this will not be an issue with you– right, right???

This will be a very slow movement forward for Mars, which is rare, because he is usually pretty speedy. However, this has been a year for weird occurrences. Mars stations at 9 degrees of Libra and will sit there for three weeks, from May 7 to June 1. Libra is a cardinal sign – a sign of action. My next question to you is where is 9 degrees Libra in your chart?

For me, it is going to be a humdinger of a time! As you can see from my chart below, my natal Mars is at 8 degrees Libra. Therefore, for three weeks I will have transiting Mars sitting on my natal Mars giving me a double dose of Mars energy. With natal Mars in my 12^th house, the house that is our connection to the universe, this is a perfect time for me to sharpen my spiritual skills.

Don’t waste this time! Find 9 degrees Libra in your chart and discover how are you going to use the Mars power!

Corn Planting Moon in Scorpio – May 14

Happy Corn Planting Moon (or Flower Moon.) I love these Moon names because they remind us of the days when we were really connected with nature and the energy of the Universe.

This Moon will be in the sign of Scorpio – the Sun, of course, is in the opposite sign of Taurus. A Moon is “full” when it is furthest from the Sun. If you have been following along with me in the past month when I spoke about the change that the “grand cross” brought to us, hopefully for the better, then view this Full Moon as the final brushstroke of that change.

Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, is the sign of change of transformation. Use this full Moon for a time to take the changes that you worked on during the “grand cross” for a test drive. What is working? What do you need to “tweak” and where are you falling back on your old ways?

The Moon will be at its fullest at 3;16 PM so while you won’t be able to see it then you can still tune into the energy.

Happy Full Moon and get the rows of new habits planted just as you would your corn!

May Newsletter! Journaling, History and Mother’s Day

GIVE THE MOST UNIQUE MOTHER’S DAY GIFT UNDER THE SUN!

My astrological cookbook, “Signs of the Tines: The Ultimate Astrological Cookbook,” makes a unique and fun gift. If you want me to sign it for Mom, order a copy at www.signsofthetines.com – and shoot me an email telling me how you want it signed. [email protected]. It is also available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com.

If you want an Astrological Gift Basket for Mom visit http://www.candcgiftbaskets.com/category_23.asp.

DO SOMETHING WONDERFUL IN MAY- AND DINE OUT FOR HEALWELL!

I am on the Board of wonderful nonprofit, Integrative Health Therapies, Healwell, www.healwell, org. Healwell combines education, research, and service to improve quality of life for people living with acute, chronic, and terminal illness. We touch humans to reduce their pain, ease their anxiety, and introduce comfort into the experience of illness. If you are in the Washington, D.C. area come to the Curious Grape during the month of May, tell them you are eating for Healwell and they will donate 15 percent of the check to Healwell. The Curious Grape is at 2900 S Quincy Street, Arlington in Shirlington

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY INTERVIEW with Meredith McDonough,hypnotist and past life regressionist, owner of Operation Higher Vibrations ! Subscribe to my free podcasts and don’t miss any!

http://webtalkradio.net/internet-talk-radio/2014/04/28/astrological-cook-access-the-portal-to-the-past-and-your-subconscious-through-the-12th-house-with-meredith-mcdonough/

Are you a History freak like me? Then check out my blog entries on two historical figures who had May birthdays. President John Kennedy is featured here:
https://joanporte.com/president-kennedy/

If you are an admirer of Dolley Madison see why I call her a total Taurus. https://joanporte.com/dolley-madison-a-total-taurus/
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Journaling Your Past Lives Awake

We made it through the Cardinal Grand Cross of April. I know it was a rough time for many – and while I never bought into the doom and gloom that some astrologers predicted for this time, we did see the most mysterious loss of an airplane. I also believe Russia or North Korea are simmering something they will reveal later. People who are negative energetic creatures react unfavorably to that kind of difficult cosmic energy and there was just enough to kick them into high gear.

On the positive side, many of my clients reported a feeling of being reborn. They used that vibrating energy to make massive changes in their lives and outlooks. I have the perfect way for you to continue your growth. As an evolutionary astrologer, I work as a cosmic GPS system reading where my clients’ souls are coming from karmically and what lessons are in store for them this time around. However, I recently learned how much more powerful this tool can be when coupled with journaling, especially when at the hands of the “master” Mari L. McCarthy. http://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog.

Once you have digested the information from my evolutionary reading of your birth chart, take the opportunity to work with Mari, Examine the past life blockages that are still make your path rocky and learn how journaling can bring forth a better understanding of their roots and impact. Conversely, you will also be able to learn how to utilize the karmic benefits granted this time around.

It is May! The time of growth – take advantage of these journaling “seeds.”

You can order your evolutionary birth chart at https://joanporte.com/p/get-your-chart.html.

This Weekend Venus Enters Aries

We have been hearing so much about “cardinal” signs in April I thought I would just pass along another cardinal happening. Cardinal signs are the signs of action and they initiate activity. On May 2, Venus, the planet that best exudes the energy of the feminine dharma moves into the mother (or father) of all cardinal signs, Aries.

Aries, of course, is primal male energy and ruled by Mars, so when we have Venus meeting Mars – look out! From May 2- May 28 Venus will be in Aries so if you need to put that spark back into your romance there is no better time.

Don’t neglect the creative energy of Venus or the moneymaking aspects of Venus – remember women rule the purse! If you have stagnant creative juices this is the time to restart them. It is spring – it is May, what does that old song say, “The lusty month of May.” Be lusty, be creative, be invigorating, – be cardinal!!

In May, Come Help Healwell While Enjoying Wonderful food at the Curious Grape!

During the month of May have lunch or dinner at the Curious Grape in Shirlington Village and help support Healwell.

Enjoy a terrific meal and when your bill comes just tell your server that you are there to support Healwell and they will donate 15 percent of your bill to help us continue our work! This isn’t automatic so don’t forget to tell them you are eating for Healwell.

Healwell provides massage therapy to adult and pediatric inpatients in area hospitals focusing on decreasing pain, managing symptoms and bringing greater comfort to people living with advanced disease and those at the end of life.

The Curious Grape is open for dinner daily from 5:00 pm to closing, for lunch from 11:30 am – 2:00 PM and for Sunday brunch at 10:30 am – 2:00 pm.

It is located in Shirlington Village at 2900 South Quincy Street, Arlington.

For more information on Healwell visit www.healwell.org.

The Good and Bad of Taurus Presidents

This week saw the birthday of a President most historians repeatedly rank on the bottom of the list of most effective leaders. James Buchanan (April 23, 1791), 15^th President of the United States and the man who preceded Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, was a rather doddering old man who might have been a serviceable leader in peaceful times when he could play entertainer in chief. He was incapable of holding a splitting country together and his relief was over the top when he was able to hand over the reins to Lincoln.

Buchanan was born under a Taurus Sun and his refusal to embrace change and try to fix what was a rapidly disintegrating country are some examples of shadow Taurus traits. Taurus, depicted by the Bull, is solid, sturdy, and unmovable. Buchanan wanted to enjoy the beauty of the White House and play the diplomat. He did not want to face the grim reality facing his country.

However, two other Taurus Presidents were steadfast warriors who, when committed to a goal, saw it through to the end despite the odds. A hero of the soon to explode Civil War, Ulysses S Grant (April 27, 1822), came to the White House thanks to his war exploits. He knew that he had to take the idea of “total war” to the enemy and executed his plans with ruthless but remarkable Taurus stubbornness. He kept one goal in mind – victory – and no one could dissuade him from it.

Another Taurus President who followed his Taurus instincts for stubbornly pursuing a goal and never looking back was Harry S Truman (May 8, 1884). (What is it with these Taurus’ and the use of S as a middle name?) He had some horrific decisions to make when from the moment he became President, made them, and never looked back. That is Taurus in action!

The Cardinal Grand Cross – Yes, Again!

Let me offer a little review of the concept of a grand cross since we are at the height of one right now. When four planets are 90 degrees apart in the sky, we have a Grand Cross. Basically, it is two oppositions and four squares. We are calling this a cardinal Grand Cross because the planets in question are in cardinal signs – they are the movers – the doers – the action signs. The planets in place now deal with very intimate changes – Aries – who we are; Libra – how we related to others; Cancer – our home and roots: and, Capricorn – work and duty

Right now – until April 24 the planets will be at their tightest – the Cross will be at it most distinct. A solar eclipse follows on April 29 in Taurus – the sign of stability and grounding.

I have railed before against astrologers who predicted the end of the world, our economy, and pretty much everything else during the Cross. No doubt, this is a challenging situation and but it does not have to be “doom.” Change is always painful. I personally had a very painful emotional issue – come up just as the Cross activated – a family matter than came to a head. As painful as it was – it was also cathartic and finalized so many things for me that has allowed me to move upwards and onward.

We have seen the negative of the Cross – I firmly believe Malaysia 370 was the result of latent anger turned negative and destructive – someone with a hidden anger against some faction – and this is how they lashed out. There may be a big political shift in the ruling party in Malaysia coming out of this horror and I believe that is what the perpetrators wanted. Anger turned inward – the only change we can make is to lash out.

Since these planets are in cardinal signs – Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, anyone with “personal planets’ natal planets in those signs, will be more likely to feel the pull of this grand cross more. For me, I have Libra rising.

Again, I urge everyone not to stick on the concept of the “bad possibilities.” Remember instead the kind of change that can boost us further to make major internal changes that reflect outward — positive changes. What old patterns do you need to stop and what helpful patterns do you need to reinforce in your life? Use it – don’t complain about it and don’t fear it.

The Gettysburg Address – Another Lincoln Mystic Cord

“The Address” a Ken Burns special on the Gettysburg Address will air tonight, April 15 on PBS. Why they are presenting this in April when the Lincoln delivered the address in mid-November is an answer only the television gods can answer. Regardless, it made me think about that wonderful piece of American literature the astrological happenings at the time of delivery.

How wild that Pluto was sitting right on President Lincoln’s South Node when he wrote and delivered the address! He had his South Node, or past life indicator in Taurus in the fifth house. I wrote a blog entry on Lincoln and his magnificent ability to write despite his lack of education. This came from past lives spent in Taurus, ruled by Venus, the creative goddess of love and beauty, in his house of creativity and self-expression.

On the day of the Gettysburg Address, Pluto which was in Taurus then, was sitting on his Node. It was screaming at him to leave some transformational, beautiful work to history. We have not had a more mystical President than Lincoln and he was heading his instincts to create this masterpiece.

It like he belongs to the ages.