early bird

it's what i am today. also yesterday- woke up hours before my boys, they are still sleeping as i write this. however, the fact that i decided to do something productive with this rare time most likely means that someone will come out into my writing space any time now... 

it's a gorgeous morning. my desk faces a window, and out it i can see the pale moon in the blue sky, see a green, green field and trees, and hear some birds and other critters running around. oh, and my coffee just finished being made, so.

what's up today? moon in pisces, 17* now, so a little more than halfway through. this makes a nice trine to the sun as i type this. the sun is our true self, the moon our hidden, emotional self, so when they trine- either by transit, or if you have this aspect in your chart- it's harmonious. your wants and needs match up, you feel comfortable with yourself and have a strong sense of self. and right now, i feel oddly calm and awake for 8:23am on a sunday. 

i've been thinking about shadow sides (polarities, aka opposite signs) somewhat lately, and how i am affected by mine. i'm a pisces and so my polarity is virgo- i talked about this once here. it's funny because for so long i wasn't aware of the virgo side of me at all. i just couldn't relate because it wasn't there, or so i thought. then, when mars the past 6 months has been in and out of my 12th house, which is ruled by virgo, i started... seeing it. i couldn't not see it. something that had been hidden (12th house rules this), had been revealed. and now it's there, and i'm working with it. trying to. never realized how controlling i could be, how detail-oriented, scrutinizing, fault-finding, obsessive, and such a perfectionist i could be (the detrimental kind, where you feel defeated all the time).

 (and yes, these are all lower qualities of virgo itself. the higher qualities of virgo are amazing- selfless service, nurturing others, spiritual, focus on health, manifesting their visions for themselves and the world. and i feel like virgo is also a transformational sign. they can go through hell and come back with the same positive outlook, just wiser. oh, and they're also known for having an insane work ethic. i love virgos!)

so i'm trying to transform some of these lower qualities into higher ones, and it is a bitch. but i'm thankful to see it. thankful to see the start of the roots. i realize that anxiety fuels much of this. the other night while laying down in bed but before sleep i cleared my chakras, which helped, but i could still feel anxiety in there. so i started taking deep breaths, and i pinpointed it. the very front of my stomach felt this very tangible anxiety. so i breathed very deeply into that space, visualizing the breaths dissolving it. then i did a short visualization of pulling the cord of anxiety out from that place (my virgo sister-in-law just took a class where she learned, among other things, how to cut cords and she taught me how to do it). right after i did it, i got a sudden jolt in my right forearm. like, it actually hurt a bit, but was very quickly gone. and it helped. meditation is healing, and i know how much i benefit from it, but i still don't do it every day. 

anyway- that was a tangent. i was going to say, i have to keep reminding myself to step back a bit, relax, not get riled up. because it is futile. and so, writing more. photography more. attempting to create/find a meaningful job. 

i think next time i will write a little bit about chakras. also, i have a post that i'm working on that isn't coming to fruition as quickly as i thought it would that's about a card reading i did. en route. 

i think that's all for now. enjoy this day, wherever you are.

Happy 4th

Welp, the layout/spacing of this post is not the way I was intending it to be, but I guess it's just not going to happen that way tonight. Something to learn!

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised the other night, going out for a drive. The weather and sunset were both beautiful, and I happened to be out at the right time, which doesn't happen enough! I'm still surprised by beautiful weather, my mind is back in early spring. 

And then I instagram'd it and some orbs showed up. :)

(carolinedilz if you'd like to follow me there <3)

     

And this... is totally not me. ;) I got it from here, which I discovered while looking for the band Stars. Both very good things.

That's all, really. It's all rainy and a thunderstorm just passed through. I'm glad we BBQ'd when we did...

PS America is a Cancer (or as one Cancer I know prefers to be called, and I actually prefer as well, Moonchild)

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...

musings on gemini and cancer

Signs going through- where did Gemini go? So fun so fast so head spinning! Is it like that after having a Gemini in your life for so long then leaving, for whatever reason? And now cancer.... already more subdued, introspective, plus the moon and mercury... my head's spinning in a different direction. Cue existential crisis.

Literally this morning /early afternoon was great for me. Was in a great mental space, things were going my way even tho I was just doing everyday things like going to work. Noted it was the new moon, but didn't have the exact time. By the time I got home from work, that mental space had left  , so I checked the moon and yep, 2* cancer. Felt anxious and stressed. Did a cooldown ritual ;) feel a little better but mostly I am going to fight this urge to just take a Xanax ;) heh...

It's really nice outside right now. Belts of Venus are setting. Hear birds chirping, some people talking in the distance but I can't make out what they're saying, and see the small trees and leaves starting to silhouette against the early evening sky.... beautiful June in Maine. Happy almost summer solstice. :)

traveling moon

the moon's in Aries today, so although it's not the beginning of this month's moon cycle (which is the new moon), it is the beginning of the zodiac, so I suppose it's as good a time as any to start tracking it. again. I started last month but only got five or six days in. All you do is look at the moon every day and see how it aspects your chart. That's it. This helps you to understand how different signs, transits, affect you. Since the moon is the fastest moving "planet" in our solar system (goes through all the signs of the zodiac in 28 days), it's the easiest to see the effects.

I usually end up noting some other aspects in the sky or in my chart, just because. A couple terms I'll use are transiting, which just refers to the current sky- where all the planets are right now, like what you see to the right of this post. The other is natal, which refers to my particular chart.

Anyway- right now, the moon's at 7* Aries. This almost exactly conjuncts my Venus in Aries, and roughly my sun and mercury (they're both in Pisces, but within 10*).

The moon is going to exactly conjunct Uranus soon, which is at 8* Aries. Uranus is known for being erratic, distant, independent... and in Aries, all that energy is on fire. As the moon gets nearer to that degree, it gets more intense. If you're moon-ruled, I'm guessing you'll be feeling this. Even if you're not. Not necessarily bad, but I could see hastiness being a side effect of this, (be safe driving/walking/getting around), with decisions, or whatever. It could also be a really great day to start something new, if this energy is feeding you. Doesn't get much more cardinal than Aries- I'm seeing today as a go day for the next step you want to take in whatever area of life.

What else... Transiting Venus is in Gemini, but retrograde. Venus rules relationships, love, relationships, pretty things... And retrogrades are all for reexamining our relationships, maybe you're revisiting an old issue within one, maybe you're taking some time apart, maybe you've run into someone from the past... Maybe you're trying to figure out how you want to live. This is all happening for me in my 9th house, which is focused on travel, higher learning, spirituality. And I did do some extensive traveling a couple weeks ago. :) And I just want to do more... insatiable. I've also noticed how I've been slacking on things I love doing... creative things... photography, writing, other stuff. Blogging. So I'm trying to do more stuff. :P

Okay, so I didn't really write too much about how the moon's affecting my chart. I'm feeling really tired out think I need to make some coffee and have a snack... Did a LOT of running around all day. Now I'm sitting in my recliner writing this and I kind of feel like I'm floating... taking it as a sign to do something else. ;) I'm not sure how clear all this is, so any questions/comments, let me know.. :)

somewhere in new mexico

musings inspired

*My dudes watching last weekend's Scorpio full moon... yay for warm nights!

*I'm cross-posting from everyday adventures (my totally unfocused, whatever blog), but will add a little extra here as well!

*To better understand astrology and myself... I have began keeping a celestial journal, of sorts. (I ordered one on Amazon, and I was so happy to get it in the mail today... but I ordered the 2011 edition instead of the 2012! d'oh... but in my defense, why were they even selling 2011 anymore?!) So, I will return that one, and will get a 2012 one, but until then just have my own.

*I am focusing on the transits of the moon. I was reading on skywriter (amazing site, btw) that, because the moon runs through all the signs so quickly, you can observe how you feel when certain aspects are made with your personal planets. Get an idea of how you're affected. Like, when I felt insane the other night? Oh look, Scorpio moon directly opposing my natal moon in Taurus, in the 8th house. And it passed quickly, like the moon through degrees, but when it was exact, it was intense. Feeling inadequate, lost, unloved. I found this out after the fact, by the way. There's a quote about this, about not being controlled by the stars, but rather being freed by them... Astrology helps me like that. Helps me to understand certain influences, and that even when I'm having a crazy Caroline moment, that it's temporary, and I can choose how to behave... or something.

*Anyway, today my 3rd and 6th houses are really being activated by the moon. Communications, work, writing. I've been studying for about an hour, got my journal all organized, cleaned around the house, story time with the babe, who is now napping. Talked to and firmed up plans with an old friend I haven't seen in... years! :) Moon on my Mars today, in the 3rd=action from communication, with an old friend=very Sagittarian. :)


*And yesterday, it was funny, day two of this journal and early in the day the transiting (current) moon was conjunct (right on) my Saturn, in the second house. Now, one of the themes of the moon is home. Saturn is all about duty, work, achievements. Well, I woke up, had some coffee, made my kid breakfast, and did a MAJOR house(apartment)clean. Stuff had gotten really messy. Then later on in the day when I did my journaling, I find that, oh, well that makes sense, as together, Saturn and the moon, that I want to work on my home. Just funny things like that. :)


*If you want to get an idea on your transits, it's quite easy to find. I use a combo of sources... here on astro, next to "Please select the type of chart you want," select "Natal charts and transits." It puts all the transiting planets on the outside of your chart. Also, if you have an iPhone or iPad, you can get Astrolabe's app Celeste, which after you put in your chart you can select "weather" and it tells you aspects that the transiting planets are making to your natal ones. (aka the ones in your own chart.) If you're interested in doing this but are having trouble, let me know! I'd be happy to help... I'm also happy to do short readings, for now, for free, as I am still learning, and you would totally be a guinea pig. :)


*That's all for now... maybe more later.