Friday 23 July 2010

Jupiter Retrograde

Today Jupiter moves retrograde…

Jupiter joins Uranus in retrograde as they continue their sacred dance around one another this summer. Jupiter’s qualities of growth, expansion, wisdom, abundance, luck and possibilities are being internalised to help each of us to explore our full potential and to realise just how much we do have in life. It is all too easy to focus on lack and those things we either don’t or can’t have; yet, in order to truly understand Jupiter, we need to be thankful for those things that we do have, however small or seemingly mean-less.

It is time to celebrate the abundance in our lives and to feel blessed by this. This summer is a time of great change leading towards deep enrichment and the attainment of joy; therefore we need to focus on the positive to create an ever growing flow of positivity and abundance in our lives.

Jupiter can help us to tune in to our inner resources of strength and self-belief, to bring our dreams alive and to see just how much abundance we have. The more we can focus on this, the richer we become emotionally, spiritually, physically and psychologically, and the more content we can be in life.

We are being challenged to go within, to let go of our fears, to find our inner strength, to listen to Spirit and to follow our destiny. It is time to be truly centred, to tap into that vast inner well of love, compassion and strength. It is time to not be afraid to let the world see the core of who we are, to face our fears, our inadequacies and to realise that we are all here for a reason. That reason is becoming clearer, and it will soon be time to step into the unknown, into infinity and beyond to realise our full potential. There is a choice though; the alternative is to stay put, to not take that risk, to avoid jumping into the spiritual watery depths of the unknown feet first.

The unknown is scary, and we need to have faith and self-belief to trust that we will be taken care of. There are, sadly no guarantees, but when in a place of trust and Truth, we can face challenges easier and we can deal with setbacks easier. When in a place of trust and Truth we can go with the flow and gain a clearer perspective allowing each of us to make the most of the opportunities that life presents us.

This phrase came my way a few days ago ‘I am infinite potential’. This fits Retrograde Jupiter so well. There is power in these words, and even if the true meaning is beyond knowing, the words resonate deeply. So, for the coming days and weeks use this as your Mantra:

‘I am infinite potential’.

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Saturn in Libra

Saturn moves back into Libra today, after a spell in Virgo due to Saturn’s retrograde phase earlier this year. We had our first taste of Saturn in Libra in October 2009, so this we have already felt his presence in the sign of the scales, but now we finally get to feel the full force of this mighty planet...

Saturn has over the years been given a bad reputation; he is the planet that so many people dread. He was described as the Greater Malefic – the Big Baddie, which reflected his reputation as a planet of restriction, hard work and a lack of joy. I tend to see Saturn as a cantankerous old man, somewhat set in his ways but when you look beneath the grumpy exterior there is actually a great deal of wisdom there.

The fact that Saturn is so feared has actually created the problem in the first place - fear creates fear. Yet if we see the good in Saturn, he works with us helping us to achieve our hard-earned goals. Treat him without respect and he will not support or guide.

It is a time to roll up the sleeves and get some work done, and it is time to stop procrastinating and get on with things.

Saturn is exalted in Libra, which enables this powerful planet to filter through in a balanced way. And balance is the key over the coming months – achieving balance in all areas of our lives.

The challenge is to make some decisions and to move forwards with confidence. Live in fear, and they will build up creating obstacles. So, it is time to face our fears head on and to believe in our ability to succeed. Yes, the work may be hard and a little relentless at times, but if we keep the end goal in sight, we can tap into the inner strength within to keep us going and to help us to see things through to the end.

Saturn in Libra is closely related to the drive towards perfection, this can be hard to overcome, as the reality is that perfection is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve all (or even, any!) of the time. So, there is a need to relax the ‘tick box’ a little and to take a slightly more realistic and pragmatic view of things. Try not to see those little imperfections as failures, and certainly try to avoid seeing them as a reason to reject or berate...

What also seems clear is that clearer definitions of right and wrong will once again start to re-establish themselves as individuals start to speak up for their rights and the rights of others. The division of humanity by culture, religion, colour, wealth and gender are likely to see a great shift as the collective starts to draw closer towards union and harmony. The ‘blame culture’ in which we live will start to shift towards individual accountability and responsibility once again, that is taking responsibility for our own choices and decisions.

It is a time to think what we can do for both ourselves and for others, and less so what others can do for us. This is liberating and freeing, and will help each of us to take some big steps forwards in our lives.

Saturn is likely to challenge each of us on many levels making us question our belief systems, our paths in life, our relationships and our choices. Yet, without this we are unlikely to grow, develop and evolve.

It seems clear that if we are prepared to work with Saturn, then he will work with us and support us towards finding greater inner strength and resolve, and finally feeling like we are the masters (or mistresses!) of our own destinies...

Sunday 11 July 2010

Total Eclipse of The Heart

Today is a Cancer New Moon and a Total Eclipse of the Sun (at 09.40 GMT, 09.40 BST) visible from the Southern Pacific and Southern South America. Despite most of us being unable to witness this event, it is still incredibly significant as it suggests yet another energetic shift in our lives.

Eclipses were often seen as harbingers of doom (our ancestors must have wondered who put out the Sun!), and whilst they are often challenging, they are usually catalysts for great change and movement in our lives.

This change and movement seems connected to an emotional release or shift within each of us (as the Moon is in Cancer, its home) as we journey through this somewhat tumultuous cosmic summer. Therefore each of us should try to take some time out for reflection and contemplation today. We need to let go of any emotional ‘baggage’ so we are clearer vessels to let in Light, joy and compassion.

Today is a day to honour our emotions and to allow old pain and trauma to heal. Each of us can find true compassion from our pain, and find the courage within to move through the pain to a place of true joy and strength. Of course, this is easier said than done, and some of the pain that we have experienced can be hard to release. Yet this is not about forgetting, it is about finding strength from our suffering, and being able to live in joy.

The Total Eclipse of the Sun gives each of us the chance to look deeply within as the Sun (our ego and personality) is temporarily blotted from view to allow us to look at the real core (heart) of what the Moon represents – our psyche’s and emotions. This is not something to fear, and whilst it might cause a few tears as we face up to our vulnerabilities and expose our true feelings, the more in touch with our Selves we can become, the more chance we have of living joyfully.

Of course, the polar opposite of pain is joy, and therefore as well as honouring the pain, we also need to honour and embrace more joy in our lives. We need to see more joy, and to feel confident to laugh, cry and to speak from Truth about how we feel.

Yet this is not a day for outer confrontations, it is a day for quiet reflection and inner healing. It is a day to honour our past so we can grab the present (and so our futures) with both hands, and live life to the full, exploring our full potential and allowing our own unique music (from the soul) to play loudly and vibrantly...today is a day to feel alive!

***

‘What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us’ Oliver Wendell Holmes

‘Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out’ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Monday 5 July 2010

It Seems That Lightning Can Strike The Same Place Twice...

Uranus moves retrograde today, marking an intensification phase of the T-Square between Uranus/Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto. Uranus helps us to honour our individuality and to stand in our truth helping us to become free...

Uranus (originally Ouranus) translates as ‘the sky crowned with stars’ and this powerful outer planet represents the light of consciousness. I have written before that many of us believe that we are afraid of the Dark, and strive to be in the Light. Yet, Uranus shows us that it is more often the case that we are afraid of the Light.

Unless we are ready to receive truth, we tend to shun it or turn our backs on it (think about the torture of witches and sages throughout time). Uranus is not about judging how we deal with truth though, he simply shines a light on Truth and consciousness for all to see (only in small doses though, for the full current and power can burn and overwhelm). It is those who genuinely have their eyes wide open that can see beyond these judgements to the core of the matter, towards a state of Knowing.

Also known as The Lightning Strike, Uranus is the bringer of Truth that can strike right to the core of an issue. The lightning can bring about flashes of brilliance and insight making Uranus the innovator and inventor (look at the industrial, technological and spiritual revolutions seen since his discovery in 1781). Uranus is always looking ahead, thinking outside of the box.

Uranus is something of a free-thinking rebel who strives to be an individual and something of a cosmic hippie. He will not conform for anyone, and works towards destroying outdated and outmoded beliefs, ideologies and theories. In addition, Uranus awakens our sixth sense and gives us the gift of intuition.

Many of us fail to see the wisdom of Uranus, we simply see an ageing hippie with often outrageous ideas that we choose to ignore as they do not fit into our lifestyles. Yet Uranus is the oldest God, and without him we would not evolve, develop or grow. Without him, we would not even be aware of consciousness, energy or intuition. I guess one lesson with Uranus in retrograde is never to judge a book by its cover – stop seeing an eccentric hippy, and start to listen to what he says, thinks and does.

In other words, this is a time to embrace our individuality and to honour the hippie that resides within us all. This is not about braided hair, bare feet and lentils (although if that floats your boat, then fabulous!), this is about seeing the Truth of who we really are, seeing our own uniqueness and individuality, and having the self-belief to stand up and be proud of ourselves and our achievements in life.

Our inner hippies want us to break down the barriers within that stop us from living in Truth. Many of us live our lives with a constant flow of ‘should’s, ought’s and must’s’, which dictate our choices and our ability to follow our paths ahead. Uranus will challenge our inner dialogue to allow us to be the free spirits that we all are.

Uranus is The Fool in the tarot who needs to have faith and belief to step into the unknown to whatever lies beyond. It is time for each of us to affirm what is truly important to us and to have the courage to let go of all those things that no longer serve us. The log jam of energies in the T-Square are overwhelming and confusing, yet if we stay connected to the core of our Beings we will find strength, courage, inspiration, creativity, clarity and vision.

Retrograde Uranus is helping us to become more enlightened and more awake! It is time for each of us to re-write the stories of our lives and to be proud of who we are (warts and all!). When we stand in the full truth of who we are, we can follow our dreams and fulfil our aspirations. Nothing can pull us down when we remain centred and immersed in love.

Uranus is challenging each of us to have the courage of our convictions to honour our gifts and talents, and to step into the unknown having faith that our needs will be taken care of. Uranus wants us to see that we can find joy when we have the strength to follow our dreams.

Over the coming weeks and months (Uranus remains retrograde until December!) we are likely to see a need for change both within and without, individually and collectively. It is a time to expect the unexpected and to keep an open mind.

As for the heading ‘Lightning Does Strike The Same Place Twice’? Well, all of the challenges Uranus looks set to throw in our general directions are ones we have seen before. These will continue to rumble around and occasionally erupt until we can learn our lessons and truly become the masters of our own destinies...

So, I think we can expect the roller coaster ride to continue for some time to come...!


‘The important thing is not to stop questioning’. Albert Einstein