Sun Sign Basics.

The sun sign is what western astrology is based on. It's the sign you reply with when someone asks you what your sign is. It's where the earth is, in relation to the sun, the day you were born. Every birthday marks your solar return. That's where the expression, "and many happy returns!" comes from.

I'm thinking I'll list the signs, ruling planet(s), and anything off the top of my head I can think of. 

Aries: Ruled by Mars, the red planet. This energy is independent, assertive, with a strong sense of self. Not afraid of, may even willingly hunt for and take on, challenges.

Taurus: Ruled by Venus. Taurus is characterized by love and beauty in nature, environment, in general. The definition of such, will of course vary. Security. Finances. Steadfastness. (Some may say stubborn... what?)

Gemini: Ruled by Mercury. Intelligent, a bit erratic, unique. That brain is always thinking, always going, sometimes multiple trains of thought at once!

Cancer: Ruled by the moon. The moon waxes and wanes, and especially influences the emotional states of those with Cancer prominent in their charts.  

Leo: Ruled by the sun. This energy is obviously warm and expansive, but wants/needs attention and recognition for all that they do. Also generally affectionate and generous.

Virgo: Ruled by Mercury, as well as Gemini. The energy is expressed differently in Virgo, though. Virgo is characterized by a strong work ethic and "purity of purpose" in their ideals (some may say "perfectionist"). Also loyal and truthful.

Libra: Ruled by Venus. This sign is all about relating, to themselves and to others. It also rules beauty and is intellectual in approach and nature. Balance is especially important for Libra types.

Scorpio: Ruled by Pluto, but before Pluto was discovered it was ruled by Mars. Scorpio's energy is deep and intense, and this power can be used for good or otherwise. They have potential to be great healers.

Sagittarius: Ruled by Jupiter. Expansion in all areas of life is a focus for Sadges. Travel, philosophy, education (formal or not), spirituality, art, and the like- these are all very important to this sign.

Capricorn: Ruled by Saturn. Very capable energy- they can do anything. May at times feel fearful of expanding, but this is the lower vibration. The sea-goat wants to keep ascending, and again- are EXTREMELY capable of doing so.

Aquarius: Ruled by Uranus, and was ruled by Saturn before Uranus was discovered. Aquarians are VERY independent, but in a different way than Aries. Aquarians just have to be, whoever they are. Period. To others this may seem rebellious, erratic, or weird, but Aquarians know that what others think doesn't really matter. ;)

Pisces: Ruled by Neptune, and was ruled by Jupiter before Neptune was discovered. Pisces energy is subtle but deep. Their lives may be lead more by intuition than they realize. Art, spirituality, and that which is unconscious, like dreams, interest them. Prone to confusion and escapism, however!

So there's my round up. What do you think?

From adventures in Eastport, Maine.

10th house and career

Lately the subject of career has been coming up, and I've been thinking about mine, too! So I figured I'd write about what different planets in your 10th house- which rules career and your public persona- might look like. Let me know if it's accurate, I'm new at this! ;)


This is how I find a chart and transits (it's under 'free horoscopes,' then 'extended chart selection,' then 'natal chart and transits' in the drop down menu... or you can ask me to find it for you, I don't mind ;) ). Around the outside of the charts, the symbols for the planets are in green... that's where the current planets fall in your chart! Like this... so, this made up person has the moon transiting their 10th house.
 


(note- if you sign up at astro, you can save chart info so you don't have to enter it every time)

The sun here is going to illuminate the subject of career in your life- will bring to light what's working, and also what isn't, and you may be able to glean some important information. You'll probably want your efforts to be recognized and appreciated, perhaps through a raise, some other sort of perk, or maybe leaving a place that takes you for granted for a better fit. Just keep your ego in check!

The moon rules emotions and nurturing, among other things, so every approximately 28 days for about 2 1/2 days (the moon's cycle and time in each sign, respectively), you need to take some you time and decompress. Care for yourself as much as you care for others in whatever your work is- and that could be anything, not necessarily a job you get paid for. After all, you can't do well at your profession if you don't have yourself together, so do what you need to do to really relax. :)

Mercury is all about communication, words, and work, but the word work could mean different things for different people. ;) I see this as either helping communication or revealing professional relationships that are weak in this area. Either way, this is a good time to get info on careers you are interested in and explore your options. Mercury loves to multi-task!

Venus rules beauty and the arts, I see this as a time when you can improve your current career space (and yes, this could be by quitting and starting a new path) so it better suits you and your needs, and/or make time to do the things you love- maybe to make it your life's work, maybe just to feel more balance in your life because you've been working too much lately and need to reconnect with the rest that life has to offer. :)

I think of Mars as bringing a boost of energy to whatever house he is visiting in your chart! So think of this as the time to really get shit done to reach your goals, short and/or long-term. It's just that- an energy boost. Savor it, but remember to still take care of yourself, and get enough sleep so you don't burn out.

I view Jupiter as expanding this area of life- bringing new opportunities, or showing advancement of some sort in whatever it is that's your career/what you're trying to make your career. Depending on the sign these opportunities may be hidden, but they are there! :)

Saturn is going to bring the principles of hard work and discipline into your career path. You may have a vision, and have the necessary training and are just trying to earn money/get ahead in your line of work. The time you bring in will also bring you reward, especially if you're not just phoning in your efforts.

Uranus brings a shakeup of some sort. Maybe an opportunity out of nowhere, or a shake up at your current employment. Maybe you'll suddenly just go in a new direction altogether, and forge your own way. A good time to show and live independence, especially in the area of career! I'm thinking that this is something that others will really take notice of, as well.

Neptune is going to help your dream job vision, if you let yourself go there! ;) I'm seeing this as a great time to pursue your interests and make time to do the things you truly enjoy, in whatever propensity is doable. Just revisiting, or doing more of, these things, you will bring inspiration!

Pluto may bring a shake up, but a different kind than Uranus. I see this as a time where you may have to regroup and strategy. What are your values? And not just in the career world, but in real life. Is whatever you're doing living up to those values? What can you do to change that? Look inside yourself and learn.

If you don't have a planet in your 10th house right now, worry not! Something will be there soon, and besides, other areas of your life may be taking front stage right now. You can always look at the sign that starts the 10th house (and the corresponding planet- for example, in the chart, Sag is the beginning of the 10th house, and it's ruled by Jupiter), and see how your attitude in work may be in general. :)

happy solstice (one day late)

sun, moon, and mercury all in cancer this morning... happy summer :) since mercury has been in cancer i've had a renewed interest in my oracle cards, i think because they help me put meaning and words to feelings, something which can escape me. they're so handy for helping me to evaluate current states of mind/feeling, suggestions on problems i face. If you're interested, this is what they look like...

My sister in law has Angel oracle cards, which we played with while she was visiting this week, also very insightful, but with different imagery. So it gets at different facets. I'd actually like to invest in some Angel cards sometime soon, get more familiar with them. :) I've always been interested in Tarot, too, but I feel intimidated by it as well... I've had it done for me less than a handful of times and liked it, but I'm just not there yet for using it myself. Maybe someday! I think this Mercury in Cancer, all this water in general right now is activating mine- (sun, mercury, pluto)- but also my moon, since cancer rules the moon. And my moon is in Taurus, which is a fixed sign and can be stubborn but more accurate a description I think, is that Taurus needs to be able to move at it's own pace, live life it's own way, what feels right, etc. The moon and mercury will be sextiling (like a soft trine) my Taurus moon later today, and in a few days, respectively, but they are in the ballpark now so I'm hoping for some... clarity? Don't know if that's the right word... I think this transit is helping all of us feel more in touch with our own moons, which is the hidden side of us, the part that's so strong and yet subtle that we don't even recognize it sometimes.


Also, all of this Cancer is in my 10th house, associated with career, professional image, etc. Capricorn is the 10th sign of the zodiac. My chart has everything in the sign of it's opposite, since I have Libra rising, which is the start of the second half of the zodiac. Anyway, I'm hoping for a boost of sorts- but just writing this feels good. We will see what comes of it.

Speaking of writing, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my blog(s) situation- just post everything to here (even though it's not always astro-related), or put non-astro posts on here to keep it separate? Ehh.. I just don't know. I don't think many people read this currently, but if you have any insight please do share...

New Moon Love

It seems as though many people I know struggle with knowing what it is they truly want out of life. Or they know it, but have challenges in meeting it. There are often barriers to getting what we really want, which is where hard work and determination come in, of course. But often I personally have trouble just narrowing my focus, you know? Like, I can see all these avenues I could venture down, but which one? Anyway, I'm rambling. The point is, we are super close to a new moon in Aries (meaning the moon and sun will both be in the same degree of Aries just a little later this morning). Aries is the beginning of the zodiac (it corresponds with the beginning of spring). There's also a lot of other planets in Aries right now. So, basically, now is a great time to visualize and plant the seeds of what it is you want to achieve. And just to make a small step toward it, in your busy life, to find just moments or extended moments where you can do what it is you really want to do. Sorry if this sounds vague, I'm slightly distracted by the sounds of "Curious George" right now... and thinking of the billion things I have to do today. But think about it. If you're lacking clarity, ask for clarity. Visualize what you see blocked as becoming released. And if you only have some inkling, move in the direction toward it. Trust yourself, because that inkling I think is probably correct. Even if there's more than one, they may all go together and you just can't see it yet. I think this will be supported by Mercury going retrograde (backward); at this moment it's in Aries, but will be going back to Pisces very shortly. I think this will be good for introspection and reevaluating things to make sure we're going in the direction we want. I think it will also be really good for meditating/prayer too, especially with Neptune in Pisces and Uranus in Aries- I'm thinking, flashes of knowledge, intuition, that seem to come from nowhere, if we're paying attention. I've been getting some of that stuff while I'm drifting off to sleep, but I'm still conscious, so I realize it and am like, woah! But then I get sleepy and fall asleep and only remember a sliver in the morning. Guess I need a dream journal. ;) Also this retrograde brings my Mercury return, because of course I was born during a crazy mercurian time. ;)

*Also inspired by moonplutoastrology.com to draw some cards... I use oracle cards as opposed to tarot, but I thought I would draw the three for this new moon and I'm happy with the ones I got, they all seem to go with what I've been thinking about... psychic gifts, being creative & creative action, and optimism. Love how they all seem to go together...
Peace & Love

fire retrograde

Ah, Mercury retrograde. There's a lot of bad hype that surrounds these transits during which, from Earth, a planet appears to be moving backward through space. Offenses include: general misunderstandings, faulty communication, and technical mishaps (also not the ideal time to purchase new electronics). But it's not all bad, and I am really trying to be positive about this upcoming Mercury retrograde. Mercury (planet of communication) will be traveling backward through Leo. Leo is ruled by the sun- the center of our solar system- which can translate to this retrograde focusing around the self. A fantastic time for self-reflection, starting a new healthy habit or breaking an old one, or just trying to refocus and refresh yourself mentally, spiritually, and physically. Since Mercury rules the nervous system, and is very language oriented, now can be a really good time to do some writing to get thoughts and emotions that have been bothering out of your brain and make them more tangible; from there you can see if you're being neurotic and just need to give them less power, or if it's an issue you should try to address in real life.

Retrograde is a good time to reevaluate recent happenings in your life, and I think also to take a little chill time on big decisions or other big events that are stressing you out. Obviously, this can be completely impossible at times, so if such a situation arises, you can know that you shouldn't rush yourself when trying to figure it out, and let yourself take a step back and see everything clearly before making a decision. Rushing will make you clumsy. Also, past issues can arise (that perhaps you never fully resolved), to push you to find a resolution, peace of mind, and the ability to move on. As difficult as it can be, try looking at it as an opportunity to move forward instead of a burden to procrastinate dealing with. I've also heard that, especially during this time, you may see people from the past cropping up, in seemingly the most random of places.

Don't get too stressed out by small annoyances- they will pass- look for solutions in new places- and sometimes things just need to be turned off and back on again...