A Murder Case Re-Opened

Back in October 2011 I looked at the transits for Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito upon their acquittal of the murder of Meredith Kercher (you can see relevant highlights from that article below and the full article here).

 

It was announced today that their acquittal has been overturned and a retrial will take place.

 

Perhaps we should not be surprised. That sleeping dogs shall not be allowed to lie, seems to have become a trademark of Saturn in Scorpio in mutual reception and sextile with Pluto in Capricorn. That, along with the game-changing shocking twists and turns we have come to associate with the on-going Uranus-Pluto Squares, has facilitated the uncovering of dark and long kept secrets and forced us to face unpalatable truths.

 

These planetary alignments suggest that the truth will now finally be dragged out one way or another in this tragic case. For the sake of Kercher’s family most of all, but also for Knox and Sollecito. If they are innocent, as they insist they are, they can finally prove it and move on. If they are guilty, then the re-opening of this case provides the now or never moment to convict them once and for all.

 

Knox has a powerful Cardinal Grand Cross in her chart: Venus at 4 Cancer, Mercury at 7 Cancer, Neptune at 6 Capricorn and the Moon's Nodes at 6 Aries and Libra (scroll down to see the chart).

 

Tomorrow’s Libra Full Moon at 7 Libra hits Knox’s Grand Cross exactly. This is a further suggestion that the truth will finally out, for the Moon at its fullest is the Moon in full light. There’s nowhere to hide, everything is seen. This is not a lunation for running, hiding or ‘getting away with it.’

 

Libra Full Moon March 27, 2013. Chart set for Perugia, Italy where the original crime was perpetrated.
Click on the image to enlarge.

 

We would also expect to see at least two of transiting Saturn in Scorpio, Pluto in Capricorn or Uranus in Aries making contact with Knox’s chart, if we are looking for further indication that the truth of this case is ready to be revealed. Indeed, transiting Saturn in Scorpio is currently making a series of conjunctions with her natal Pluto. Its second hit to her Pluto, the retrograde hit (a transit VERY appropriate for a re-look at this criminal case) is due to occur in early May this year. Saturn to Pluto is a hard, hard transit. Loss on any level can be felt at this time. Transiting Uranus is at 8 Aries, making tight contact to her Grand Cross, most exactly to communication planet Mercury, which opposes Neptune, an aspect suggesting deception, fantasy and idealism at play on some level.

 

Other current transits that hit her Grand Cross include Venus at 6 Aries. Picking up the Full Moon a little wide, but still part of the picture is Mars at 11 Aries and Pluto at 11 Capricorn. Pluto hasn’t quite finished with Knox yet, it will retrograde back just far enough to clip her natal Mercury later this year.

 

So, it doesn’t look great for Knox. I don’t know enough about the case to conjecture on her innocence or guilt, but either way she should brace herself for a rough ride because the truth will out.

 

You can also see Sollecito’s chart below. It’s his birthday today! He too has a strong pick up with the current transits. His Sun at 5 Aries picks up the Full Moon and all the other current Aries planets you can see in the Full Moon chart above. Uranus in Aries has finished its transit to his Sun, but transiting Pluto in Capricorn is currently exact on his natal Jupiter, a transit that lasts until January next year. He can also look forward to his Saturn return in Scorpio later this year, a time to face reality and take responsibility. If he's done something wrong he's not going to get away with it. If hasn't then he will be justly absolved.

 

It's also worth noting that the Saturn in Scorpio and Pluto in Capricorn relationship is associated with the uncovering of crimes of a sexual nature, most notably in the Jimmy Savile case. Sex plays a part in the Kercher murder, with evidence the victim was sexually assaulted. It has been suggested that her death was caused by some kind of brutal sex game gone wrong.  

 

Knox’s transits are perhaps more dramatic, but that is as you would expect, with her Cardinal Grand Cross comprising Mercury, Venus and Neptune and the Nodes. She has always been the ‘face’ of this case and its main focus in the media.

 

Naturally, the family of Ms Kercher has welcomed today’s development.

 

Read today's news story in full here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21936308

 

Edited highlights from my October 2011 post:

The reversal of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito’s conviction for the murder of Meredith Kercher was a story which gripped and polarised the public and the media. Whether the pair really had anything to do with the murder we may perhaps never know and that’s not a subject I’m going to speculate about here. When fascinated me about their story is how the timing for the original conviction, the appeal and their eventual release key in to the timing of major outer planet alignments, namely Saturn Square Pluto, Saturn opposite Uranus and the incoming Uranus Square Pluto.  Both Sollecito and Knox have had these alignments touching their charts by transit, with Knox in particular experiencing them very strongly.

On 4^th December 2009, Knox and Sollecito were convicted of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher. This conviction occurred very close to Saturn’s first exact square to Pluto at 2 degrees Libra and Capricorn in November 2009. Saturn and Pluto’s next exact alignment was at the end of January 2010 at 4 degrees of Libra and Capricorn. For both of them, Saturn and Pluto were transiting personal planets in their charts.

Saturn-Pluto transits can seem, at least on the psychological level, to take away our freedom and our free will. In the case of Knox and Sollecito, the loss of freedom was literal. In fact, losses on any level can occur under this transit. It tends to be a time of forced change, fear, pressure, negativity, crisis, restriction and a psychological journey to the underworld.  We may feel that invisible forces are working against us, that we are fighting for survival on some level. Even as our personal power is taken away, we need to find the strength to carry on, to work hard and then even harder to face and banish our demons. For this we need courage, strength and staying power. We need to tap into inner and outer resources to help us through.

The charts below show how the Saturn and Pluto square picked up on personal planets in Knox and Sollecito's birth charts. Knox has Venus at 4 degrees of Cancer, so just after the conviction transiting Pluto was exactly opposing her Venus, with Saturn squaring her Venus. She also has Mercury conjunct Venus, with Neptune in early Capricorn opposing from the public seventh house. The Moon’s Nodes, in early Aries and Libra, complete a dynamic, but no doubt stressful cardinal grand cross.  With Pluto and Saturn transiting this grand cross it’s not surprising that she has been called a liar, a manipulator, a seductress, violent, perverted and a she-devil, but imagine having to face your demons when the world is naming you as the demon!

Click to enlarge

Sollecito has his Sun at 5 degrees Aries squaring Neptune at 1 Capricorn, within orb of the Saturn-Pluto squares of late 2009 and spring/summer 2010.  While he has attracted less attention than Knox, the Saturn-Pluto transit to his Sun and Neptune is telling. Was he a victim in all this or was he deceiving everyone when he proclaimed his innocence? It’s hard to tell with that Sun-Neptune square, except to mention that it is reasonable to expect martyrdom on some level, or at least the sacrifice of the ego, with this aspect, especially so because both the Sun and Neptune are angular in his chart.

Click to enlarge

We all know that in life nothing is forever and like life, transits are temporal. With Saturn-Pluto transits, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, with the eventual promise of empowerment and emancipation, but not before a lot of hard work and a lot of seemingly endless patience.

Sollecito and Knox‘s legal teams filed appeals against their convictions in April 2010 and the appeal process began in December 2010. It was during the time between the filing of the appeal and the actual appeal that the Saturn-Pluto squares and the ongoing, status-quo upsetting Saturn-Uranus oppositions formed what has been widely dubbed by astrologers as the cardinal climax – a t-square in the early cardinal planets that had been building since 2008 and has come to symbolise shocks, changes, intense challenges, restriction, losses and hard, hard work.

They won their appeal against their murder conviction and were freed on October 3^rd 2011. By now, Saturn has moved out of the picture, with the much anticipated Uranus-Pluto square forming. On the day of their release, Uranus was at 2 Aries and Pluto at 5 Capricorn, connecting with the cardinal planets in their charts very closely. Under Uranus-Pluto moving aspects we demand freedom, we question authority, we don’t accept the letter of the law and we won’t tolerate being controlled. We want to feel free to do what we want to do and we want to make a difference.

Knox’s father summed up Saturn-Pluto followed by Uranus-Pluto perfectly, "she's almost kind of reborn in a way. I mean, living for four years inside a concrete and steel, you know, prison, and now being able to kind of just look around, smell the air and - and just do what she wants to do, hopefully when she wants to do it, it makes a huge difference." (quote from cbsnews.com)

With love,
Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Chart data from Astrodatabank.

The Story of an Art Heist ~ The People vs. Big Business

 

When a new work by renowned street artist Banksy appeared on the side of a Poundland store in London's Wood Green, locals were thrilled and the Council was quick to express its support and enthusiasm.

The piece appeared overnight on 13/14 May 2012 and is thought to be a comment on child slave labour and on the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

I live about a mile from Wood Green High Road. It's not an attractive or exciting shopping hub, but it serves its community well. It's been hit by the economic recession and was badly looted and vandalised during the riots of 2011. The appearance of a Banksy was a real boost, something to feel proud about.

Wood Green during the 2011 riots

Click to enlarge. Time unknown

At its surprise appearance (chart above), the Moon was in Pisces, joining Neptune and Chiron (art healing the people). The Sun joined opportunistic Jupiter in materialistic Taurus. Mercury was also in Taurus in an Earth Grand Trine with Mars in Virgo and Pluto in Capricorn. This Trine along with the Taurus concentration describes what happened next very well.

Inner wheel, Bansky appearance. Outer wheel, Banksy disappearance

Overnight on 16th February 2013 the artwork was removed from the wall, leaving an ugly scar. Poundland denied all knowledge and lawyers representing the owners of the building refused to comment. The artwork then appeared up for auction in Miami, expected to sell for upwards of £450k.

Big business (Capricorn) profiting (Taurus) at the expense of the 'little people' (Virgo).

At the approximate time of the 'theft', the Moon was in Taurus opposing Saturn in nefarious Scorpio (the money theme again) connecting with Mars in the chart for the artwork's appearance. Mercury and Mars were by now joining Neptune and Chiron in Pisces. Venus (art appreciation) is in cause-loving, 'for the people' Aquarius.

The story has spread far and wide. Locals and the Council are campaigning for the return of the street art to their community. Passionate supporters have bombarded the auction house with angry calls and posted outraged comments on its Facebook page. Nobody has claimed responsibility for taking it, so it is unclear (Pisces) whether it was stolen or removed legitimately. Even Scotland Yard and the FBI became involved.

The latest exciting development this morning (with Moon in attention grabbing Leo) is that the auction house, Fine Art Auctions Miami, confirmed that at the very last mimute they withdrew the piece, along with another Banksy, from sale. A turnaround reflected by stationary Mercury, still in Pisces, and ready for its retrograde later today.

It's also interesting to note that the strong Taurus (money) theme from the previous two charts is missing from the chart of the sale withdrawal.

What next? Wood Green wants its Banksy back. Will it be returned to its community or quietly sold to a private buyer? Watch out for news around March 3, when Mercury moves back to 15 Pisces in its retrograde, the degree of the theft. Also, around April 3, when Mercury hits that point again in its forward motion.

I would like to see it back in the community, so all can share and enjoy it.

Wood Green 24 February 2013

Meanwhile, a collage of new graffiti has appeared on the side of Poundland, proving that when you create a space it never remains empty for long. It's thought that the small rat asking Why? is another Banksy original.

With love,
Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

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All photos by Mandi Lockley

Reality is not what it seems

Who am I and what am I doing here?

Tantalising questions indeed, but ones mankind has asked since time began and which astrologers, religious prophets, new age gurus, philosophers and scientists are still seeking to answer. Their conclusions vary and often conflict, but some of their ideas and theories do help us attach some purpose and meaning to our lives, if we’re prepared to put our faith in them.

Then there are those who look at life and come to conclusions that are so far out there, it’s hard to know what to make of them.

I’m currently writing a piece of fiction based around a secret society and I’m having great fun researching the wonderful world of conspiracy theories and the like. As well as inspiring my story, my research is also providing inspiration for this blog. Over the last week, I watched a seven-hour lecture online by David Icke*

Icke’s theories about the nature of reality, about who really runs the world and our place in it are so controversial I just had to look at his birth chart. For context, here’s a summary of some of his ideas, as I understand them:

• Reality is not what it seems. We are holograms, locked in our bodies and in our five senses, but really we are all as one. We are infinite consciousness.
• We have forgotten this and allowed ourselves to become locked in a symbolic ‘prison without bars’, controlled by secret cabals - The Illuminati - who use our leaders (politicians, heads of corporations, bankers etc.) as puppets to further their agenda.
• Those at the top of the cabals are shape-shifting reptilian aliens from other dimensions who are here to enslave humanity, suck out our energy, hold us in a lower vibrational state and limit our possibilities.
• These entities drink human blood and sacrifice children. Icke counts the European and British Royal families and the Rothschild bloodline amongst their numbers.
• There are also alien/human hybrids amongst us, like in the John Carpenter move, They Live.
• The Moon is not real, it’s a construct designed to amplify the negative waveforms that hold us in our ‘imprisoned’ and acquiescent state. Similarly, the rings of Saturn are also constructed to transmit these waveforms.
• To free ourselves, we must remember who we really are - infinite consciousness - and refuse to be controlled. We are many, they are few. If enough of us rebel - peacefully and with love in our hearts - we can restore our world as it was before the ‘Fall’.
• Humanity faces the same choice that Morpheus gave Neo in The Matrix: “You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

Icke started his career as a professional footballer. After quitting due to ill health in July ’73, he made his debut as a sports broadcaster in August ’73. He then moved into politics, becoming a spokesperson for The Green Party in 1989. On 29 March 1990, he visited a healer and the experience changed his life. He began to receive channelled messages which gave him his mission and on 9 May 1991 he published Truth Vibrations, the first of many books in which he outlines his controversial views on the nature of reality.  This followed an appearance on the Wogan show on April 29th 1991 where he suffered intense and far reaching ridicule for his ideas.

Click to enlarge

For someone who has enjoyed a high public profile in all incarnations of his career, it’s not surprising to find angular planets very strong in his chart, forming a cardinal Grand Cross.

Saturn on the Libra Ascendant suggests the ego need to be popular, but with difficulties gaining the popularity desired so much. Venus, in its detriment in Aries in the 7th House, also suggests difficulties with achieving popular appeal, despite the need for appreciation for his pioneering, but far out opinions (Venus is widely Conjunct Mercury in Aries, both planets opposing Neptune in the 1st).

Saturn’s retrogradation points towards a second chance at gaining acceptance and admiration in later life, especially as Saturn is exalted in Libra. Indeed, he is now considered a leader amongst conspiracy theorists, able to fill stadiums all over the world with fans keen hear his take on reality. Exaltation literally means raised status, honour and praise.

Saturn tightly Squares Uranus on the MC, the point of culmination, vocation, purpose and reputation. Uranus here explains why he is known for being unconventional and shocking, the ridiculed oddball, the rebel. Saturn Square Uranus is the classic combination for upsetting the status quo, the tension between the new and the old, the traditional vs. the avant-garde. The angular nature of this Square forces these energies into outward expression.

Icke’s Moon is in Cancer, Conjunct Uranus and Square Saturn. This suggests that he feels very deeply emotionally attached to what he does and to that which his Saturn-Uranus Square denotes. His vocation is truly personal, it fulfils a reining need, it’s his mission. The Moon on the MC often bestows a good sense of what the public wants and is great for self PR. Icke is able to exploit his eccentric reputation to his advantage. In fact, he opened his recent lecture in London with the words, “the nutter has come to Wembley.”

The Square from Saturn to the Moon, MC and Uranus has probably served to keep him grounded (relatively speaking) but also challenges him, probably making him doubt himself at times. Indeed, he admits to not being able to walk down the street for fear of being mocked after his appearance on Wogan, causing him to temporarily disappear from public life.

Neptune in the angular 1st House, Chiron Conjunct the IC and Mercury in the angular, public, 7th house, complete the Grand Cross. Mercury is in forthright speak-first, think-later Aries. Icke has spent most of his career broadcasting his opinions, first as a sports journalist, then as a politician and now as a mystic and author, who travels the world giving lectures and spreading his word. Neptune defines Icke's subject matter to a tee - mysticism, the spiritual, the unconscious, the dream state (he asks humanity to Wake Up), idealism, fantasy, lies and deception. The angular Chiron denotes the root of the matter, which is that David plays out the archetype of the maverick and the wounded healer almost to perfection. (Venus is also part of the picture, although wide of most of the other Grand Cross planets.)

Whenever I see a prominent Mercury-Neptune connection I always look for a theme of deception* or self deception/excessive idealism, which is often used as a defence. It’s hard to tell if this is the case with Icke, but I’m sure he would say that he is in the business of uncovering deception rather than being a deceiver himself. He vehemently asserts that his ideas are the real truth. Indeed, there is an outspoken honesty about Mercury in Aries, or at the least, those with this placement do believe in what they’re saying.  The danger with Mercury in Aries is that it can jump to conclusions too fast. It's not a Mercury that likes to be slowed down by time-consuming research, but the Saturn opposition can help here, frustrating though it may be for him to wait for 'proof' before going public with this theories. His first book based on his conspiracy theories was fittingly called Truth Vibrations a nice expression of his Mercury-Neptune Opposition.

A Grand Cross really does describe the life story. Here’s a word play delineation to summarise Icke’s Grand Cross:

He has a deep need (Moon) to communicate (Mercury) his vision (Neptune) of what he sees as the authentic (Uranus) and shocking (Uranus) nature of reality (Saturn). This information (Mercury) , he claims, came to him through spiritual, other worldly experiences such as channelling (Neptune). He identifies (1st House) strongly and deeply with this as his vocation (10th House) and is compelled to communicate it publically (7th house, Mercury). In doing so, he sees himself as a wise teacher (Moon and Mercury in angular houses in aspect with angular Saturn and Chiron). The bottom line is that he wants to heal the world (Chiron on the IC). However, despite selling out stadiums around the world, he is still a maverick operating outside the system (Chiron Opposite Uranus) and the mainstream media dismiss him as an oddball and a loony (Moon Conjunct Uranus on the MC Square Saturn and Mercury).

There is also something very Promethean about this Grand Cross (denoted particularly by Uranus on the MC, but also in its relationship with Saturn, Chiron, Neptune and Mercury). Symbolically, David is stealing fire (truth) from the gods and giving it to man.

It is said that we speak our chart, so how about this (the sub-header on Icke's website):

"exposing the dreamworld we believe to be real"

A cardinal Grand Cross tends to bring huge tensions around the identity. Falling in angular Houses (also associated with identity), brings extra tension and power.  David, it seems, is up for the challenge and has dedicated his life to answering the big question of who am I and what am I doing here on behalf of all of us.

Another notable point in his chart is Sun in Taurus in the 8th House. The eighth is associated with the occult, the dark, hidden side of society - themes dealt with extensively by Icke. Sun in the 8th is also associated with involvement in new age methodologies and healing. A fixed Opposition from Mars in Scorpio to the Sun denotes a man whose passions and desires run deep and who feels compelled to act upon them. This Sun-Mars Opposition keys into the MC, Uranus, Moon, Chriron complex by Sextile and Trine, providing it with a channel through which he can easily express its energies through his unconventional vocation.  We might expect Pluto to be prominent , given David’s subject matter. It doesn’t receive any of the more challenging or dynamic aspects, but it does key into the Grand Cross by Sextile and Trine. In the 11th house, perhaps Pluto signifies the secret occult cabal groups that David seeks to expose.

As for significant transits, Icke experienced his Uranus Opposition (the classic mid-life crisis measurement) between 1988 and 1991 an extended transit due to Uranus’ close aspects with the angles and the other planets in his Grand Cross. It was during this transit that he had the life changing encounter with the psychic healer. By the time transiting Uranus was squaring his 7^th House Mercury in spring 1991, he was ready to go public with his ideas and made that fateful appearance on the Wogan TV show, which exposed his to so much ridicule. At the time of the appearance, transiting Mercury was in his 7th House, opposing Neptune and Conjunct his Mercury-Venus midpoint.

20+ years on and many books later, there seems to be no stopping Icke. Now transiting Uranus is making a series of Conjunctions to his Descendent (opposing his Ascendant) and will make dynamic aspects his Grand Cross planets over the next few years, not forgetting that Uranus is in the midst of its revolutionary, evolutionary, game-changing Squares with God of the Underworld Pluto right through to 2015.

It will be very interesting to see the next chapter unfold in David Icke’s remarkable life and what new ‘truths’ he will uncover.

*Human Race Get Off Your Knees, The Lion Sleeps NoMore

*Notable examples of deception in Mercury-Neptune natives include Tony Blair (the Opposition) who is widely believed to have lied over weapons of mass destruction; Bill Clinton who lied about his affair (the Sextile) and politician/author Jeffrey Archer (the Opposition) who was imprisoned for perjury.

Birth data 29th April 1952, 17:15, Leicester UK. Source: Astrodatabank. Rodden Rating B.

With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

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What Goes Around Comes Around

Because we're ruled by time, it’s easy to believe that the human experience is linear, that we move ever forward in one direction. When you study astrology – as indeed when you delve into the bigger picture of history - it becomes very apparent that on our constantly revolving earth, everything is in fact cyclical. This, to me, is in its turn a reflection of the observable cycles of nature and the predictable movements and alignments of the planets.
 
I was doing some research for my new book (non-astrology-related) and it took me in a round about way to the Wikipedia entry on Franklin D Roosevelt’s Inaugural Speech of 1933.*

On the day, Uranus in Aries was exactly square Pluto in Cancer at 21 degrees.  Today, Uranus has returned to Aries and once again is in the midst of a series of game-changing squares with Pluto (now in Capricorn). The same astrological cycle is repeating itself.

These astrological parallels between now and the 30’s (the Great Depression era) are also clearly reflected in the startling similarities between the state of the world as it was then and the world as it is now.

Here’s an excerpt from the Wikipedia entry quoting Roosevelt’s speech. Perhaps his sentiments need to be revived his modern day counterparts:

Addressing himself to the causes of the economic crisis and its moral dimensions, Roosevelt placed blame squarely on the greed and shortsightedness of bankers and businessmen…

“...rulers of the exchange of mankind's goods have failed through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and have abdicated. Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men.

The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit.

Recognition of the falsity of material wealth as the standard of success goes hand in hand with the abandonment of the false belief that public office and high political position are to be valued only by the standards of pride of place and personal profit; and there must be an end to a conduct in banking and in business which too often has given to a sacred trust the likeness of callous and selfish wrongdoing.

Restoration calls, however, not for changes in ethics alone. This Nation asks for action, and action now.”

Roosevelt then turned, in the following excerpts, to the daunting issue of unemployment, which had reached a staggering 25 percent when he assumed office:

“...the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone.

More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.

Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously.

There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly.”

Proof if ever we needed it the world turns in cycles and what goes around comes around.

Roosevelt's speech also coined the famous phrase, still so relevant today:

“The only thing we have to fear is...fear itself.”

Perhaps we should all take a moment to ponder on what that means.

With love,

Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Don’t forget, over at www.mandilockley.com you can find this month’s Moon ingresses, Moon phases and Moon void of course times.

For this year’s planetary retrogrades, see HERE~ Saturn in Scorpio turns retrograde on February 19^th and Mercury turns retrograde in Pisces on February 24^th.
 
*Date: 4 March 1933, Washington D.C. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D._C.
 
Photo credits Wikipedia Commons:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_USCapitol_-_Franklin_D._Roosevelt%27s_First_Inauguration.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Barack_Obama_second_swearing_in_ceremony_1-21-13.jpg

Guest Post at Beyond The Stars Astrology

Fancy reading a excerpt of Saturn in Scorpio: Your Guide Through The Dark that hasn't appeared online before?

Yes? Then hop on over to the Beyond the Stars Astrology Blog, to learn more about coping with rejection and the importance of forgiveness.

While you're there, you'll also find lots of informative and insightful articles by astrologer Alison Gunn.

I like The 12th House - Know Thyself or Else and there's a great article on that big question astrologers get asked so often: Synastry and the 7th House: Is This Person Marriageable?

You can read the Saturn in Scorpio Excerpt here

FYI, Alison Gunn is also a writing and creativity coach. You can find out more at The Collaborative Writer.

Image credit: Scorpio by Josephine Wall

Uranus in Aries Wakes Up Your Mars ~ Pt. 2

 

As Uranus moves through dynamic, restless Aries, it continues to wake up and shake up your natal Mars. It challenges you to act true to your Mars sign and aspects, to use your Mars energy, vitality and assertiveness in an authentic way. Here’s a look at how Mars in the signs of Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces will be stimulated by Uranus in Aries.                                                                 

 

Click here to read Part 1 ~ Mars in Aries through Virgo  

 

Mars in Libra

If you have Mars in Libra you put your energy into building relationships through being sociable, charming and cooperative. Before making a decision and acting on it, you consider the other side of things and/or the other people involved. Your reputation for indecisiveness is not deserved. If you hesitate before you act it’s only because you want to weigh up all the options and then act in an even-handed, fair way. However, once your mind is made up you have no problem acting on your decision quickly, forcefully and sometimes self-righteously. When challenged you are a worthy opponent who likes to play fair. While you may say that you dislike conflict, you do in fact need it, because it presents you with a mission to restore balance and harmony and make the world a more peaceful place.

Mars in Libra blends dynamically with the energy of Uranus in Aries, bringing challenges into your life. Your personal relationships could go through some dramatic changes while Uranus is in Aries, but be aware that this transit is as much about your relationship with yourself as it is about your relationship with others. As your life and the way you relate to the world changes you may find yourself in conflict with others and when this happens it will be helpful to understand that what we see in other people is often simply a reflection of ourselves. Remembering this as you meet opposition will help you to ‘own’ your own process and not project it onto others and this in turn, will help you make the most of the bright new opportunities that are opening up to you.

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will oppose your natal Mars. While the opposition is active, the Mars in Libra-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced. This will not be a time for sitting on the fence. It will be a very dynamic time for seizing opportunities and making dramatic life changes that can take you forward into an exciting future.

Mars in Scorpio

If you have Mars in Scorpio you use your considerable energy in a measured, controlled way. Calm on the surface, underneath you are driven by deep passions and strong emotions, although few would guess from the outside just how intensely you experience life. The sheer depth of your feelings makes you feel vulnerable so you put a lot of energy into protecting yourself, unconsciously fearing that you could get hurt if you expose your emotions to the world. However, when your passion is ignited you will go to almost any lengths to get what you want and have the ability to magnetically attract the object of your desire, be it money, control, power or a relationship. When you do trust someone enough to let them in, you are capable of forming deep and long lasting bonds.

Mars in Scorpio sits awkwardly with the energy of Uranus in Aries and you may find yourself having to adjust to unexpected new circumstances which are out of your control, a situation which will not sit easily with you. Relationships could throw you into frustrating situations which could ignite your temper if your buttons are pressed too many times! During this time, you would be wise to pick your fights carefully. Fighting for those things / relationships that you are truly passionate about will be well worth the effort as always, but essentially this transit is here to teach you that stubbornly fighting on or obsessively trying to control everything is not always the best thing to do. Sometimes you can achieve much more, much faster, by simply letting go and moving on. At the very least, you are being asked to adjust your perspective and meet others half way, whether you want to or not!

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will quincunx your natal Mars. While the quincunx is active, the Mars in Scorpio-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced. Things could get sticky and tricky, but will undoubtedly be passionate!

Mars in Sagittarius

If you have Mars in Sagittarius you have boundless restless energy which you pour into many and diverse activities and relationships. It is important to you to be honest to yourself and to others. Your honesty is often take for tactlessness by more sensitive types, but you rarely mean any harm, it’s just that deep down you are guided by a strong sense of morality and idealism. Your adventurous spirit and impulsive urges can lead to recklessness if you are not careful, but it is part of your life journey to explore all avenues and experience life to the full. Your actions are often guided by an idealistic vision of where you want to be in the future, although very often it is the chase that excites you the most!

Mars in Sagittarius blends well with the energy of Uranus in Aries. Your physical energy, natural charisma and innate enthusiasm will be enhanced by Uranus in Aries, which could attract new and exciting things into our life. You will certainly feel restless for change, but in your impatience to move onto new adventures, you could all too easily end up throwing baby out with the bathwater! Instead, use this time constructively and creatively and you will find you can move a few quick steps forward towards fulfilling your dreams.

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will trine your natal Mars. While the trine is active, the Mars in Sagittarius-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced. All you need to do is be ready and willing to grab the opportunities coming your way and make the most of them.

Mars in Capricorn

If you have Mars in Capricorn you put your energy into achieving tangible, material goals and progressing with your ambitions. While others might tag you for a slow-starter, the thing is, you hate to waste your precious time and energy on pointless tasks, so before you start anything new, you prefer to take some time up front to plan and strategise carefully. Once you do get going though, you can be super-dynamic and a great organiser/administrator who sees things through in a serious and self-disciplined way. One of your life’s lessons is to learn patience and understand that all good things come to those who wait – and those who are prepared to put the effort in! You are very down to earth in your physical appetites and have great stamina!

Mars in Capricorn blends dynamically with the energy of Uranus in Aries, bringing challenges into your life. Your patience could be tested as well thought out plans go unexpectedly awry. When bright new opportunities come into your life, if they feel too good to be true, then they probably are, so you will need to carefully work out what’s worth pursuing and what’s not. This basically means taking a reality check from time to time, something you are very good at! However, this is for sure a time for action, because ‘doing something about it’ is the best way you can deal with the tense situations you may find yourself in. At best, this is a great time to work on releasing yourself from the past, letting go of the fears and ‘what-ifs’ that have been holding you back and going for broke to turn long-held ambitions into reality.

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will square your natal Mars. While the square is active, the Mars in Capricorn-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced. This will certainly be a challenging and unpredictable transit, but it could also be very energising and if handled well, could see you using strengths and resources you didn’t even know you had!

Mars in Aquarius

If you have Mars in Aquarius you put your energy into being individual and independent and expressing yourself freely. You are not competitive in the conventional sense because you prefer to go your own way rather than pursue the same goals as everyone else. When you have the freedom to do this, you really can be creatively innovative and original. The trouble is, the urge to rebel sometimes gets in the way of achieving your goals and you can ‘cut off your nose to spite your face’ just to be contrary! Your energies are best directed towards helping others or acting on behalf of a cause – anything that makes a real difference in the world - so long as you have the space to do it authentically, honestly and in your own unique way.

Lucky you! Mars in Aquarius blends well with the energy of Uranus in Aries. Furthermore, because your Mars is ruled by Uranus, you will feel more comfortable than most with the transit of Uranus in Aries. You can expect eureka moments, creative breakthroughs and fast forward movement towards your goals and ambitions. The caveat is that you are ready and willing to make the most of the opportunities that come your way and that you pursue them with objectivity, authenticity and positive intention.

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will sextile your natal Mars. While the sextile is active, the Mars in Aquarius-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced. If you find yourself in a rut, even an unconventional one, now’s the time to shake yourself out of it and claim a self reliant future.

Mars in Pisces

If you have Mars in Pisces your energy is expressed compassionately and emotionally and you tend to act on instinct rather than logic. You are very sensitive to the moods and feelings of others and the vibes all around you, making it difficult sometimes to know what desires and emotions are your own and what you are simply absorbing from the atmosphere and from the needs of other people. At best, you act with empathy, kindness and compassion, but must guard against making unnecessary sacrifices for the sake of others. When you give yourself the permission to be true to yourself and your feelings, you can truly do a lot of good and can be an inspiration and a guiding vision for others.

Mars in Pisces doesn’t see eye to eye with Uranus in Aries. The direct, fast acting, challenging energies of Uranus in Aries can feel harsh and uncompromising to a sensitive soul like yourself. Fortunately, your flexibility, empathy and ability to see the bigger picture will help you to understand what is going on and why.

Uranus won’t make a significant transit to your Mars while it’s in Aries. However, while Uranus was in Pisces over the last seven years, you will have had transiting Uranus conjunct your Mars. No doubt, during that time you went through many changes in your life, some difficult and others very exciting. Uranus in Aries is your time to embrace the positive changes that have occurred and build on them to claim an exciting future for yourself.

How do I find out what sign my natal Mars is in?
You can quickly and simply draw up your birth chart at http://www.alabe.com/.  Make a note of the sign that Mars is in and also the degree it’s in.

You say that Uranus in Aries will make an aspect to my natal Mars – when will that be and how long will it last?
The earlier your Mars is placed in its sign, the sooner you will have the aspect. For example, if your Mars is at 0 degrees of Capricorn, Uranus in Aries will be forming a square aspect to it right now. Or, if your Mars is at 25 degrees of Libra, Uranus will form an opposition aspect to it in 2017.
Uranus transits can last for anything from a few months, up to a year or so. To find out exactly when Uranus will transit your Mars and for how long, you will need to consult an ephemeris or have your transits calculated on professional astrological software.
Please also note that Uranus will be back in Pisces from August this year until March next, so if your Mars is in the last three degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces, Uranus in Pisces will make a dynamic transiting aspect to your Mars during that time. Uranus in Pisces is a very different dynamic to Uranus in Aries, but unfortunately there’s not scope to discuss it here.

I read the description of my Mars in its sign and it didn’t feel like the whole picture, why is that?
Most likely your Mars is aspected by other planets in your natal chart. This will colour how your Mars energy expresses itself. For example, with the Sun in aspect to Mars, the Mars energy will be dynamically illuminated and intensified. With the Moon in aspect to Mars, your energy is expressed emotionally, reactively, instinctively. In aspect to Mercury, your Mars energy will be stimulated and expressed through a diverse range of ideas, opinions and activities. When Venus connects to Mars, energy is expressed more diplomatically and creatively and your actions are more relationship focused. Jupiter in aspect to Mars will exaggerate and expand the Mars energy, making you more adventurous and goal driven. Saturn in aspect to Mars may dampen your enthusiasm but will give you patience, discipline and focus. Uranus in aspect to Mars focuses your energy on the need for excitement, originality and independence. Transiting Uranus in Aries will bring out these qualities in you, whatever your Mars sign. Neptune in aspect to Mars will focus your energy on idealistic, creative or spiritual pursuits. Pluto in aspect to Mars will make your energy more concentrated, powerful and intense.

A final note about Uranus transits
Uranus transits, while exciting and sometimes stressful, can be very unpredictable. This makes Uranus transits difficult to predict. They often manifest in exciting and often surprising life events and changes. Sometimes these are initiated by the person having the transit and other times they seem to come at you from the outside. Sometimes, they can represent inner journeys that see you change from the inside out, but aren’t obviously apparent in the external circumstances of your life. Expecting the unexpected is a good way to approach your Uranus transit.

Enjoy the ride!

With love,
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

Click Here to Read Part 1 – Mars in Aries through Virgo

Image from: http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/participate/funzone/

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Uranus in Aries wakes up your Mars!

 

As Uranus moves through dynamic, restless Aries, it continues to wake up and shake up your natal Mars. It challenges you to act true to your Mars sign and aspects, to use your Mars energy, vitality and assertiveness in an authentic way. The following I wrote and posted in 2010, but it's well worth a revisit now. How is your Mars doing?

Uranus in Aries is an exciting transit of fast forward movement, sudden change, spontaneous happenings and exciting breakthroughs. Because Mars rules Aries, your natal Mars will be stimulated by Uranus in Aries, so here’s a look at Mars through the signs and how Uranus in Aries might affect it.

Mars in Aries

If you have Mars in Aries you have a tendency to be competitive, direct and impatient. You like to take the initiative and lead from the front. Decisions are made impulsively and followed up on quickly, often without considering the consequences. You tend to act on hunches, on intuition and while your actions might seem risky and ill considered to more cautious types, they often pan out quite well! If they don’t, then you tend to have the resilience to bounce back quickly and carry on regardless.

Mars in Aries blends well with the energy of Uranus in Aries. Change is in the air and you are ready to dive in head first embrace it with open arms. Uranus awakens your inner warrior and you’ll be un-phased by any obstacle that stands in your way. You’ll probably be more impatient and excitable than usual, so try not to waste a good opportunity by behaving too recklessly. With lots of excess restless energy to burn, taking regular physical exercise is very important during this transit.

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will conjunct your natal Mars. While the conjunction is active, the Mars in Aries-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced. Life is about to get exciting, so go for it!

Mars in Taurus

If you have Mars in Taurus you use your energy very steadily and like to take your time over things. This however, makes for incredible stamina. You really can carry on long after the others have packed up and gone home! You like to put your energy into things – jobs, relationships etc - which will bring you material and emotional security. Tasks performed seem pointless if they don’t produce tangible, measurable results. A lover of simple, down-to-earth pleasures, you like your sex and your meals long lasting and slow.

Mars in Taurus has difficulty seeing eye to eye with Uranus in Aries. You see, Uranus in Aries wants fast forward radical change, but with Mars in Taurus you tend to put your energy into stubbornly resisting change and trying to keep things just the way they are. This could cause you some stress. Imagining yourself as a tall strong tree might help. While you can’t control the fact that your upper branches are swaying in the winds of change, your roots are strong, deep and solidly fixed in the earth, so the tree (you) can remain stable, strong and grounded, whatever comes its way. Certainly, at this time of change and uncertainty, the world needs people like you to hold the fort and help keep things sane and grounded. Finally, Mars in Taurus people like to bring a bit of beauty into the world and often have a marked artistic/creative streak. Under Uranus in Aries, you could well find that streak stimulated in new exciting, ways!

Uranus won’t make a significant transit to your Mars while it’s in Aries.

Mars in Gemini

If you have Mars in Gemini you use your energy to follow many and diverse paths. You are flexible, curious and need to feel constantly stimulated and you do this through communicating, making connections with others and exploring new ideas. You may be easily distracted and change your mind often, directing your energy towards your latest new goal, idea or project, leaving other things unfinished. While you are very skilled at juggling lots of different things at once, you need to learn to follow things through to completion and not leave too many balls hanging in the air! Fortunately, you are mentally and physically dexterous enough to cope with many things at once and that feeling when everything magically seems to come together is a feeling to savour.

Mars in Gemini blends well with the energy of Uranus in Aries. Your open mindedness and enthusiasm for change will serve you well over the next few years. You will have heaps of positive energy to pour into new projects and into making exciting connections with others. This is a good time for developing new skills and exploring new ideas, as recent constraints on your ability to move forward begin to fall away. You will be restless for change, so be careful you don’t simply initiate change for change’s sake and try not to spread yourself too thin.

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will sextile your natal Mars. While the sextile is active, the Mars in Gemini-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced and new opportunities will come your way, so long as you are ready, willing and able to make the most of them.

Mars in Cancer

If you have Mars in Cancer you tend to act indirectly and sympathetically, sensitive to the feelings and reactions of others. That said, when backed into a corner or when your own or a loved one’s security is at stake, you can be indomitable. There is a lot going on under the surface with Mars in Cancer as you process things internally at a deep level before you act. Because of this, your actions are often guided by instinct and intuition. You need to feel physically and emotionally safe and because of this you pour a lot of you energy into protecting yourself, particularly in situations where you feel vulnerable. You don’t open up easily to others, but the people you love and trust the most are very fortunate, because you would do anything for them.

Mars in Cancer blends dynamically with the energy of Uranus in Aries, bringing challenges into your life. When challenges come along which threaten your sense of security and your place in the world, you are on the defensive and ready to put up a fight to protect what is yours. However, some Mars in Cancer people could face very challenging changes during this transit – be it in your career, your home life or in your relationships – and while this may be deeply upsetting, at least a part of you will understand the necessity of what is occurring. Becoming aware that change needs to happen in your life and consciously letting go of old, worn out dreams, goals and emotional attachments is the key to unlocking the powerful personal growth and development opportunities available to you at this time. If life feels like a series of endings, remembering that endings come before new beginnings will help you to embrace the new and exciting developments that are possible in almost any sphere of your life these next few years.

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will square your natal Mars. While the square is active, the Mars in Cancer-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced. This will certainly be a challenging and unpredictable transit, but it will also be incredibly energising and if handled well, could bring out the very best in you.

Mars in Leo

If you have Mars in Leo you assert yourself proudly, warmly and from the heart. Your actions may be dramatic and self-seeking, because you seek attention and recognition. Pride can sometimes get the better of you and if your will is too stubborn and self-centred, this can lead to problems, especially if you don’t get the compliments you feel you deserve for your unquestionable prowess! When this happens you can become pushy, overbearing and domineering. At best though, your natural confidence and sunny disposition is shared generously with others and your cup runneth over with creative flair and positive vitality.

Mars in Leo blends well with the energy of Uranus in Aries and this should be a time when your creative energies flow easily. Your physical energy will also be enhanced by Uranus in Aries, perhaps bringing exciting and unexpected encounters! Certainly you can gain positive rewards from any endeavour you pour your energy into at this time. However, the danger is that you will simply rest on your laurels during this time. Fine, be lazy if you must – just ‘be’ if you like, but wouldn’t it be a shame to let this time pass you by without actively making the most of your abundant natural energy, talent and ability?

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will trine your natal Mars. While the trine is active, the Mars in Leo-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced.

Mars in Virgo

If you have Mars in Virgo you assert yourself modestly and discriminatingly. Your mission is to serve others, work hard and be helpful. You put your energy into practical tasks, but not before carefully mulling over exactly how you are going to put those tasks into action. Steer clear of being over-critical of yourself and others and avoid unnecessary stress by remembering that the world and the people in it are far from perfect!

Mars in Virgo sits awkwardly with the energy of Uranus in Aries and you may find yourself having to adjust to new circumstances you are not totally comfortable with. This can be irritating and frustrating. In particular you may find the balance in your relationships shifts, as significant others go through major life changes and you have to adjust accordingly, even if you feel as if they are acting selfishly. Or it may be that your life is undergoing big changes and you feel as if you are stuck on a see-saw going back and forth between the old and the new. Your task will be to find and maintain the balance, making small adjustments as you go along, until eventually you can find a way to more comfortably integrate the new changes into your life. Tapping into your innate flexibility, practical intelligence and hard working nature will help you enormously during this time.

At some point over the next seven years, transiting Uranus will quincunx your natal Mars. While the quincunx is active, the Mars in Virgo-Uranus in Aries dynamic described above will become more pronounced.

Part 2 – Mars in Libra through Mars in Pisces - coming up next.

How do I find out what sign my natal Mars is in?
You can quickly and simply draw up your birth chart at http://www.alabe.com/.  Make a note of the sign that Mars is in and also the degree it’s in.

You say that Uranus in Aries will make an aspect to my natal Mars – when will that be and how long will it last?
The earlier your Mars is placed in its sign, the sooner you will have the aspect. For example, if your Mars is at 0 degrees of Capricorn, Uranus in Aries will be forming a square aspect to it right now. Or, if your Mars is at 25 degrees of Libra, Uranus will form an opposition aspect to it in 2017.
Uranus transits can last for anything from a few months, up to a year or so. To find out exactly when Uranus will transit your Mars and for how long, you will need to consult an ephemeris or have your transits calculated on professional astrological software.
Please also note that Uranus will be back in Pisces from August this year until March next, so if your Mars is in the last three degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces, Uranus in Pisces will make a dynamic transiting aspect to your Mars during that time. Uranus in Pisces is a very different dynamic to Uranus in Aries, but unfortunately there’s not scope to discuss it here.

I read the description of my Mars in its sign and it didn’t feel like the whole picture, why is that?
Most likely your Mars is aspected by other planets in your natal chart. This will colour how your Mars energy expresses itself. For example, with the Sun in aspect to Mars, the Mars energy will be dynamically illuminated and intensified. With the Moon in aspect to Mars, your energy is expressed emotionally, reactively, instinctively. In aspect to Mercury, your Mars energy will be stimulated and expressed through a diverse range of ideas, opinions and activities. When Venus connects to Mars, energy is expressed more diplomatically and creatively and your actions are more relationship focused. Jupiter in aspect to Mars will exaggerate and expand the Mars energy, making you more adventurous and goal driven. Saturn in aspect to Mars may dampen your enthusiasm but will give you patience, discipline and focus. Uranus in aspect to Mars focuses your energy on the need for excitement, originality and independence. Transiting Uranus in Aries will bring out these qualities in you, whatever your Mars sign. Neptune in aspect to Mars will focus your energy on idealistic, creative or spiritual pursuits. Pluto in aspect to Mars will make your energy more concentrated, powerful and intense.

A final note about Uranus transits
Uranus transits, while exciting and sometimes stressful, can be very unpredictable. This makes Uranus transits difficult to predict. They often manifest in exciting and often surprising life events and changes. Sometimes these are initiated by the person having the transit and other times they seem to come at you from the outside. Sometimes, they can represent inner journeys that see you change from the inside out, but aren’t obviously apparent in the external circumstances of your life. Expecting the unexpected is a good way to approach your Uranus transit.

Enjoy the ride!

With love,
Mandi
http://www.mandilockley.com/

Image from: http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/participate/funzone/