Jupiter / Expansion / Magic

We're almost two weeks into 2014. Whoa. I feel like I'm still settling in, getting my bearings back from the holidays. Our house is a wreck (although it did get some attention today, and I'm pleased to announce that the kitchen is no longer gross), and a lot of things seem up in the air. But it feels more focused  than it did last year. I feel like I have more of a sense of where I want to go. And most days I'm lucky if I make a baby step, the smallest of small, on that path. Sometimes it's just a thought, a reminder, a sentence I speak out loud. Obstacles intimidate, but thinking of Neptune, of Pisces here, and dissolving them or maybe just swimming around, over, or through...

The point I'm trying to make here is that I've been reading, noticing, people saying lately to focus on what you want to expand it, instead of fighting what's no longer working. This is very Jupiter. I'm in the midst of this amazing book that I would recommend to anyone, called Making the Gods Work for You, by Caroline Casey. I just finished the Jupiter chapter (yes, each planet gets a chapter, and there are also rituals to do for the witchily-inclined), and she talks about how Jupiter expands what it touches. Regarding things you would like to be rid of, she suggests:

"Jupiter tells us not to trouble our pretty little heads about how we are to be rid of our burdens. When we ritually place these things on the curb of our psyche, so to speak, Jupiter's Removal Service will take it away. We do not have to worry about the removal process. We just have to imagine putting it in bags..."

I think another point made by this is how by visualizing these things in their trash bags, it declutters our mental space and makes room for us to grow what we desire. Expanding it. Going with the flow instead of wrestling to get to that space.

So what do you want to expand? What do you want to draw in? What do you want to DO? Jupiter is in the sign of Cancer now, helping us to get in touch with our feelings and thoughts, the ones we cherish and protect under the crab shell... unintentional living won't fly here...


OH and this blog post by Tonya Leigh from French Kiss Life was a wonderful supplement to all this Jupiter talk, I thought... She says to fill up your life with what you want so there's no space for the shit... but much more eloquently. :)


Thanks for reading :) Maybe I'll be back again soon. Here's some photos from my neck of the woods. If you want more, find me on instagram @sightsofmaine 

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. :)

Neptunian

Wow, did today turn super cranky for me. Figuring out where to go on these trails of life can be so hard sometimes. I mean every age and stage is both strange and wonderful, but there seems to be something about mid-20s life that's confusing. I feel pulled in so many different directions, and therefore feel like I'm getting nowhere. Not to complain, it's just a source of frustration for me when I have time, like I do at this moment, to think about it. Now how to tie this into astrology? Neptune has been traveling retrograde for quite a while now. Neptune is a different energy; both illusions and dreams that can be realized, higher selves and the most selfish of lower vibrations. It's the ruler of Pisces. Astrologers say that retrograde Neptune is like being in a fog, a mist, basically not clear headed. And I'm feeling that. Sometimes it can be challenging to know what's real and what isn't, from thoughts to situations to relationships to communication.

However! It is going direct soon. Real soon. November 10th! The thing with Neptune is because it's such an out there planet (in more ways than one), it's influence is kind of a general, less obvious one. It's not in your face, it's just kind of in the background, fading in and out of influence with anyone's particular chart. Going back into a direct motion should help things that have felt so fuzzy become clearer, help us to better see, or create, our paths. I'm going to go with that. ;) And in the meantime, get my stuff in order, maybe make some lists, remember to breathe, and try to convince myself that sometimes baby steps really are the best way to reach a goal you really care about. Even when it seems really intimidating and unobtainable at the present moment.

Okay, so that was a ramble. We also have Venus and Mars in Sagittarius right now, which is always fun. You might be feeling the urge to travel, exercise, read/learn more, or just get outside and feel the air. Fun dates and having a lighthearted, upbeat connection with romantic partners sounds good. Good for sexy time too. ;) So basically, enjoy this influence and maybe let it distract you, just for awhile, from all the other not so fun stuff. Keep it in check though, so you don't overindulge and end up in a not so great space.

Peace, love, and whatever else tickles your fancy!

{aurora borealis, as seen from greenland. photo courtesy of the free app, astropix} {yes, i'm a huge nerd.}