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D is for Decan Today I will continue with my Astrology A to Z series. The other posts in this series can be seen here: A is for Astrology B is for Birth Chart C is for Cardinal D is for Decan (or Decante) Each Astrological sign takes up 30 degrees of the wheel: 30 degrees x 12 signs = 360 degrees - a full circle Additionally, each sign is divided into 3 sub-divisions, a 10 degree segment of each sign. These are the decans. There is a first, second, and third Decan of each sign, giving more insight into the operation of that sign's energy depending on if it is the beginning, middle, or end of that sign. The First Decan, 0 - 9 degrees As a planet moves through a sign, it enters at the first decan (0 to 9 degrees) and the "beginning" or start-up energy of that sign. The first Decan of a sign is very "Cardinal" in nature - it is bold, innovative, "excited" to start the new journey in this sign's energy. It is like when you first move into a new house or start a new job - you want to "show off" a bit and so you might exaggerate the expression of this "new self" that you have discovered. If you wish to relate the three divisions of decans to the moon cycle, you can think of the first Decan of a sign as the New Moon and Crescent Waxing phase - or the "Maiden/Child" energy of that sign. The Second Decan, 10 -19 degrees. As a planet moves through the second decan of a sign (10 to 19 degrees), it is more settled in the energy of that sign. It has found a sense of how it operates here, and it begins to exude a more "Fixed" energy. I think of this as similar to after the newness of the new job or home has passed . . . you are comfortable with what you are doing, secure; not trying as hard to prove yourself to others because you know you belong here and have a stable confidence in how you go about your expression. In a moon cycle, this Second Decan could be related to the middle of the moon phase - Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, and Waning Gibbous - or the "Mother/Provider" energy of that sign. The Third Decan, 20 - 29 degrees As a planet moves through the third decan of a sign, it is carrying with it the lessons of the first and second decan, and begins preparation to move into the next sign. It carries the wisdom of all it has learned to express as it journeyed through a sign, but begins to have a more "Mutable" view in thinking about how it will carry these lessons forward into the next sign. This is like a period of time when you know your time in your home or job is coming to an end. You are training your underlings, wrapping up your affairs, or beginning to make preparations to move to whatever is calling you next. In a moon cycle comparison, you could compare this third decan to the Balsamic Waning and Dark Moon Phases - or the "Crone/Teacher" energy of that sign. A Note on Cusps People who are born near the final degrees of a sign or the first few degrees of a sign might say they were "born on the cusp" of two signs. This is true, and there is a different energy signature at the very beginning or very end of a sign. But it does not mean that your Sun is "in both signs" or "has the energy of both signs". Someone born on the Cusp may feel like they don't fully relate to descriptions of their Sun sign... but look and see the energy signature of the First and Third Decan to understand why you might feel this way. Your sun has either "just arrived" in this sign, or it is wrapping up and preparing to leave this sign. You likely have other planets in one sign or another that are adding to your identification with one sign or another, or aspects to other planets in other signs that are influencing your energy expression. I just say this to clarify that if you are born with your sun on a Cusp, it does not mean your "sun is in both signs", but to take the Decan of the Sun into account as well as other planets in your chart. Decan Planetary Rulerships Beyond understanding the Decans as "beginning, middle, and end" of each sign, each Decan is also assigned a Ruling Planet. These planets are seen as Sub-Rulers of each sign, and help further deepen our understanding of each sign and decan. When we can layer in the meaning of each decan's ruling planet, we can get a fuller picture of the energy of each sign and the progression of energy within it. For each sign you have the Ruling Planet, and then three Sub-Rulers or Secondary Rulers related to the decans. For the rulers of the Decans there are two main schools of thought - the Chaldean Order or Modern Decans. I think both of these have value for different reasons. Mostly I use the Chaldean Order, but I also find value in the Modern Decan rulers as well. (There is also another system of decan rulership - the Ptolemy Table, which I am less familiar with so I am not showing it here today) The Chaldean Order This is the system created by ancient Babylonians and seen as the "original" Western Astrological System of Decan Rulership. It follows an order of planets that repeats through the signs, related to the movement of planets from slowest to fastest. The Chaldean Order is Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon and this order repeats with every seven decans. The Tarot Card system of relating minor arcana cards to planets and signs is based on the Chaldean Order. SIGN RULING PLANET 1st Decan 2nd Decan 3rd Decan Aries Mars Mars Sun Venus Taurus Venus Mercury Moon Saturn Gemini Mercury Jupiter Mars Sun Cancer Moon Venus Mercury Moon Leo Sun Saturn Jupiter Mars Virgo Mercury Sun Venus Mercury Libra Venus Moon Saturn Jupiter Scorpio Mars Mars Sun Venus Sagittarius Jupiter Mercury Moon Saturn Capricorn Saturn Jupiter Mars Sun Aquarius Saturn Venus Mercury Moon Pisces Jupiter Saturn Jupiter Mars Image: The Chaldean Decans with associated Minor Arcana Tarot cards - Modern Decans This is a reformulated modern system which assigns Planetary rulership based on the elements, and includes Modern planets such as Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. This system has the first decan of each sign sharing the same planet as the Sign's major rulership, and the other two decans assigned planets by relation to the element of Fire, Air, Earth or Water. There is no repeating pattern or order of the planets by Decan. SIGN MODERN RULER 1st Decan 2nd Decan 3rd Decan Aries Mars Mars Sun Jupiter Taurus Venus Venus Mercury Saturn Gemini Mercury Mercury Venus Uranus Cancer Moon Moon Pluto Neptune Leo Sun Sun Jupiter Mars Virgo Mercury Mercury Saturn Venus Libra Venus Venus Uranus Mercury Scorpio Pluto Pluto Neptune Moon Sag. Jupiter Jupiter Mars Sun Capri. Saturn Saturn Venus Mercury Aqua. Uranus Uranus Mercury Venus Pisces Neptune Neptune Moon Pluto Astrology Students: Look at the planets in your birth chart by degree and apply the understanding of the Decan as well as the influence of the planetary ruler of the decan. How does this inform your understanding of that planet in the sign? Do you prefer the Chaldean Decan ruler system, or the Modern Decan Ruler system? Can you incorporate wisdom of both or do you wish to use only one or the other? There are no "wrong" answers here, develop your own relationship with astrology! Visitors - do you enjoy my public content? 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Continuing with my weekly "Astrology A -Z" public posts, this week is the letter C. C is for Cardinal All 12 signs of the zodiac are divided up into different sign types, by element and quality. The Qualities (also known as Quadruplicities) are Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. When the wheel is divided into four segments (quarters); each quarter represents a season of the year. The Cardinal signs mark the beginning of each season. Aries - Cardinal Fire - beginning of Spring (Fall in Southern hemisphere) Cancer - Cardinal Water - beginning of Summer (Winter in Southern hemisphere) Libra - Cardinal Air - beginning of Fall (Spring in Southern hemisphere) Capricorn - Cardinal Earth - beginning of Winter (Summer in Southern hemisphere) You'll notice there is one Cardinal sign for each of the four elements (Fire, water, air, earth) Signifying the beginning of each season, the Cardinal signs carry the energy of being leaders and initiators. Each of these signs are influencers with strong leadership qualities - they are passionate, competitive, determined and visionary; often with bold ideas and unique fierceness. These signs tend to be proactive, leaning into each challenge they face and pushing for the next new experience or period of growth. Despite all being leaders - each Cardinal sign does so in it's own way, combining the Cardinal energy with the Element of that sign. Aries leads with action, taking a direct approach. Cancer leads with feeling, guided by sentiment and intuition. Libra leads with vision, weighing the pros and cons of each situation. And Capricorn leads with strategy, holding high standards for structured progress. If a person has planets in the Cardinal Signs in their birth chart, those planets will express their energy strongly and naturally "lead" the other planets in the birth chart. Cardinal Squares & Oppositions Square Aspects occur when two planets are 90° away from each other. If the wheel (360° ) is divided into four quadrants, each quadrant has 90° in it, so the Cardinal signs all form either Squares or Oppositions to each other. (Oppositions are aspects of planets that are 180° apart - opposite sides of the wheel) Squares are traditionally seen as "hard" or challenging aspects - the planets involved have some kind of tension or friction between them that creates discomfort. However, this discomfort is what urges us to take action to make change or improve our life situations. Squares have a natural expression of a very Saturn-like energy, as well as Uranus - they cause us to notice our boundaries and restrictions and then we decide whether to push back or find compromise. When it comes to the Cardinal Sign Squares - it is a feeling like there are too many leaders fighting for control of the situation. While an Aries planet may be pushing to lead with Fire (direct action), a Capricorn planet is pushing to lead with Earth (stability and slow progress) The individual with Cardinal Squaring planets in their birth chart will need to learn to balance these inner conflicting drives - knowing when to apply fire or earth, or when to compromise. Cardinal Squares teach us about boundaries, limitations, and rules; and then when to step forward as leaders to either enforce boundaries or break free from them. Opposition aspects can be challenging as well - but they also bring an opportunity for balance and integration. The Cardinal Oppositions are the axis of Aries/Libra or Cancer/Capricorn. The Aries/Libra axis pushes for balance of Cardinal energy of Fire and Air - and the integration of leading for the Self vs leading for Others. The Cancer/Capricorn axis pushes for balance of Cardinal Water and Earth - and the integration of leading for Inner Comfort vs leading for Outer Success. Angular Houses Cardinal energy can also be found in the Angular Houses - houses 1, 4, 7, and 10. These are the houses naturally ruled by the Cardinal Signs, beginning at the important angular points of the chart. The 1st house begins at the Ascendant (Ac), the 4th House begins at the Imum Coeli (the IC). The 7th House begins at the Descendant (Dc), and the 10th House begins at the MidHeaven (Mc). These houses are considered the "strongest" houses; carrying a forceful and ardent energy and having a very strong influence on the natal chart. These houses are the "influencers" and "leading houses" of the birth chart - even if they do not hold Cardinal signs they will have a natural Cardinal influence on whatever sign they hold. Personal Chart Exploration: How many planets do you have in Cardinal signs in your Natal Chart? What about the Angular Houses? Do you have Cardinal Squares or Oppositions? What about Angular House squares or oppositions? As of 9/22/2020 we are about to begin Libra Season; and the lunar cycle will bring us significant phases of the moon occurring in Cardinal signs, so there will be an emphasis on Cardinal energies through this next month. ----------------------- If you enjoy my posts, consider signing up for my Patreon! My Blog is moving to my Patreon page and you can find this and other Public posts there. I have a $5/month tip jar to help support my writing & Astrology updates here on my Patreon blog and on Social Media! There are also higher tiers for exclusive content & Astrology lessons. Your support helps me continue to bring you posts like this one!

Part of what I enjoy about Astrology is the simple, structured division of time it gives us. Our planet is so unique in that it exists right in the perfect zone for life to have formed and be maintained, but the planet also has a tilt that gives us the seasons. This tilt is so close to a 25 degree angle that we can nearly perfectly divide a year into four quarters. And in Astrology, that's what we do. We measure a year based on those four seasonal points of the earth tilting on it's axis, giving each quarter an astrological season. I think that understanding these Astrological Seasons as different from the Cultural and Weather-related seasons of different regions will help people understand The Wheel of The Year - which is an Astrological Calendar of Solar Holidays that mark the beginning and middle of the seasons. For example, in the United States, we tend to think of "Summer" as June, July and August. Astrological Summer, however, starts at the end of June and lasts until nearly the end of September. In some regions it is certainly "hot like summer" before the end of June, and perhaps Early September already feels like Autumn in some places. So, it can be confusing to some to celebrate "the beginning of Summer" on June 21st. Therefore, we need to understand that the Solar Holidays are Astrological Calendar points rather than weather-related or culture specific. I have made this diagram to help break down the four Astrological Seasons; ASTROLOGICAL SEASONS The Astrological Wheel is divided into Four Seasons Each Seasonal Quadrant is ruled by an Element. The Element is determined by the Sign in the MIDDLE of that Season (The Fixed Sign) SPRING - Approx. March 21 - June 20 Aries / Taurus / Gemini Ostara (Spring Equinox - beginning of Spring) March 21 Beltane (Middle of Spring) May 1 SUMMER - Approx. June 21 - September 20 Cancer / Leo / Virgo Litha (Summer Solstice - beginning of Summer) June 21 Lammas (Middle of Summer) Aug 1 FALL - Approx. Sept 21 - December 20 Libra / Scorpio / Sagittarius Mabon (Fall Equinox - beginning of Fall) Sept 21 Samhain (Middle of Fall) November 1 WINTER - Approx. December 21 - March 20 Capricorn / Aquarius / Pisces Yule (Winter Solstice - beginning of Winter) December 21 Imbolc (Middle of Winter) Feb 1 The Year can be divided into "Light Half and Dark Half" or times when the Sun and Day are the Dominant energy - vs times when the Moon and Night are dominant forces. Many modern Pagans see this as the natural balance - there is an equally divided year. I share this as just a Primer and some Basic information about the Astrological Wheel of the Year. If you are drawn to honor or recognize the solar seasons Spiritually, or just as calendar points to mark progress through an Astrological Year, I invite you to subscribe to the blog or sign up for my website membership (free) so we can explore and experience The Wheel of The Year Together ** please note - I am using Tropical Astrology and I am speaking of the seasons for people in the Northern Hemisphere.

Continuing with the Astrology A-Z series, we are now at Letter G! Galactic Center: The center of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, currently located at Sag 27°00'. This point, predicted in 1918 and discovered in 1932, is a gigantic radio source (called Sagittarius A) surrounding what is thought to be a supermassive black hole (Sagittarius A*) with the mass of some four million times that of our own Sun. It has a significant effect when aspected by personal planets in the birth chart, inclining people to take a central role in life and to have a sense of cosmic destiny. Since we all have the Galactic Center in the same sign and degree in our charts, it is usually interpreted based on what house it is in an any aspects it makes to other planets. Most astrologers look at the Galactic Center as an indication of how you align with Cosmic Forces and what relation you have with a Universal search for Truth, Justice, and Wisdom. Since the Galactic Center is center of our Galaxy - it is akin to "the source of all matter" and probably the central point of The Big Bang. So this point can be seen as "The Source", some might even call it God (or the Home of The Gods). Sagittarius is related to Wisdom, Understanding, and Justice - ruled by Jupiter who is named after the Roman counterpart of the Greek god Zeus - King of the Gods. Personally, I sometimes imagine the Galactic Center as Olympus - home of the Gods from where Zeus rules and sends out his judgements. A Harmonious aspect to The Galactic Center (Trines and Conjunctions) will thus show a planet that is connected to Cosmic Source or "the will of the Gods". A Challenging aspect (Oppositions and squares) will show a planet that is at odds with the Cosmic Source, or struggles in some way with feeling aligned with Cosmic Forces. Aspected Points to the Galactic Center: I would personally allow no more than a 5 degree orb for an aspect to the Galactic Center to have much influence. (So, the area of 22° Sagittarius to 2° Capricorn) Generally I would look to the Inner planets to have the most profound effect. Outer planets still have relevance but this will be a generational impact and have personal relevance related to the Houses of the planets involved. Conjunction - a planet within 5 degrees of 27° Sagittarius Opposition - a planet within 5 degrees of 27° Gemini Square - a planet within 5 degrees of 27° Virgo or Pisces Trine - a planet within 5 degrees of 27° Aries or Leo Do you have any planets in your chart that aspect The Galactic Center?

"I am open to the notion that emotion is devotion and everything I feel in every moment is Divine. And in the sanctuary of this moment I am safe and held, in the sanctuary of this body I am home." ~ Ari Moshe Wolf, "Emotion is Devotion" ( from the album Freedom Is My Holy Name, available on BandCamp - https://arimoshe.bandcamp.com/track/emotion-is-devotion ) As I was meditating on the asteroid Vesta moving through the sign of Cancer, I remembered this song by my friend and astrology mentor, Ari. What a perfect song to express the energy of Vesta - asteroid of Devotion, moving through the sign of Cancer! The asteroid Vesta is named for the Roman Goddess of the Home and Hearth Fire. The asteroid represents a place of devotion and dedication in the chart - it is where we are tending an inner Sacred Fire. Fire needs tending, care, and mindfulness so that it doesn't burn out; or burn too hot and get out of control. When it is well tended, the Sacred Hearth Fire provides warmth, light, comfort, and and a place to make offerings to the gods as well as to cook the nourishing foods we need to survive. Vesta has been in the sign of Cancer since June 3, 2020 and will finish her journey through the sign of Home, Mothering, and Nurturing on August 11 when she moves into Leo. She is currently reaching the mid-point of her journey through Cancer, and was in harmonious conjunction with the Sun at the time of the lunar eclipse on July 4th. The sign of Cancer is the sign of emotions and a desire to be nurtured, cared for, and appreciated. Cancer also brings empathy and compassion for others, but as a sign of emotions and the Heart Chakra, we also know that deep love can be potentially very rewarding, OR very painful if it is not tended to properly. Asteroid Vesta represents a sense of Sacred Devotion to a cause, she is the Keeper of The Sacred Fire; a Goddess who sacrificed her own personal needs or desires to be the Keeper of the Flame and maintain the fire that brings comfort, purity, and order to the world. Vesta's placement in our birth chart can show us a great deal about what we are devoted to, how we sacrifice ourselves for this devotion, and what energy we bring to the Sacred Fires of community and home. There can also be a great deal of inspiration and direction gleaned from watching the transits of Vesta; what influence does the Goddess of The Hearth Fire bring into our lives as she moves around the zodiac? As Vesta has moved through Cancer, there has been a call for us to tend the sacred fire of our emotions. I have been reminded of the importance of self-care practices for my physical and mental health, and I have seen lots of references to this on social media as well. With Vesta's Sacred Fire in the sign of Cancer it is a good time to examine how we tend to our emotional needs and responses. There is a need for balance (as with all things) because emotions can run hot or cold, and adults need to properly manage their emotional states and responses. Currently, our world is in a state of ongoing crisis - from the pandemic, to civil unrest and political upheaval worldwide - it is easy to feel emotionally overwhelmed with day to day life. A lot of us don't know the tools or methods to help us deal with ongoing emotional crisis, and that has made this year incredibly difficult for so many people. Without balance, it seems like the only choices are; to be in a constant state of emotional distress, or to disconnect from the feelings altogether. Vesta in Cancer offers a different way. She says that your emotions - your heart - are Sacred and Divine. All the emotions, not just the tender sweet ones - but the anger and frustration too - are Sacred. All these feelings just need acknowledgement and tending to, in the same way that a fire can be a source of comfort or a source of destruction - Vesta asks you to simply mindfully watch over that fire. Be aware of what you are feeding the fire. When does it need more wood because it is dying down and cooling? These are times the fire might need coaxing - a little poke here and there and some energy & fuel sent to enliven it and stoke the coals. When it is burning too hot, there's not much to do but wait and let it burn down, attempting to safely control it and not add more fuel until it has settled. Vesta's advice: Tend to your home - creating a sanctuary for yourself to feel all the beautiful feelings that arise. Give yourself permission to feel those emotions. Identify them, acknowledge them, observe the type of "fire" that they create. Find ways to increase your feelings of safety and comfort, and outlets for the times you do not feel safe and comforted. Find ways to do small acts of service for others - even just reaching out with loving words to a friend can be a powerful act of service. You are learning and growing, becoming more resilient AND more tender, and ALL your emotions are sacred. "I am open to the notion that emotion is devotion and everything I feel in every moment is Divine. And in the sanctuary of this moment I am safe and held, in the sanctuary of this body I am home." > > > More about the Greek Goddess Hestia and her Roman counterpart Vesta HERE +++ Hestia and Vesta Devotion Course information HERE >>> This is a SNEAK PEEK of content that will be available on my Patreon for subscribers of the Hestia Devotion tier. You will have access to exclusive posts about the asteroids Vesta and Hestia, and monthly devotionals to Hestia. Subscribe before August 1st to receive a FREE Tarot or Oracle Card reading! www.patreon.com/hestiasmuse

We are preparing for the Full Moon in Capricorn on July 4th, 2020. The Full Moon will be at 8:46 pm PST, with a prenumbral lunar eclipse that peaks at 9:29 pm PST. This is the final eclipse of the Summer 2020 Eclipse Season and this full moon carries some very potent energy. Full Moons are always about balancing opposing energies and areas of life. The full moon takes place in the opposite sign of the sun, highlighting and reflecting from the polarity point of the current sun season. To me, the Full Moon is a powerful time to deeply reflect and work on the inner self in relation to the axis of the opposing signs that are in play. Each sign has an opposite sign that reflects to polar opposite energy.... but these signs are deeply connected as pairs. They are like two sides of the same coin, and a balanced life will have the energies of these two opposite signs working in harmony and well integrated. The Full Moon is an excellent time to check in and review these two opposing energies, to explore whether they need to be better balanced and more fully integrated in your life. You could say that one cannot really enjoy the benefits of one sign's energy and lessons if you are out of touch with the opposing sign's energies. The Full Moon reflects back to us the light of the sun shining from the opposite side of the zodiac, illuminating far side of the wheel and reminding us that both sides have beauty and value. The Cancer/Capricorn axis highlights the relationship between the deeply personal and the broadly public aspects of our lives. Cancer is the sign of the deeply personal life - our emotional selves, our home life, our desire for nurturing, comfort, safety, and unconditional love. Capricorn is the sign of the deeply public life - our career, social status, our legacy, and our desire to be recognized and acknowledged for our work and achievements. One can easily see how it is important to have these two areas of life harmonized and balanced. If you are overly focused on your work life and social status but lacking in a comfortable, safe, and nurturing home life, you will probably feel great imbalance and discomfort in your life. On the other side of the spectrum, you can have a safe and nurtured home life; but without the stimulation of satisfying work and external creation, you may feel unfulfilled. The energy of the Cancer/Capricorn axis can be understood through the archetypes of the traditional Mother-Father dynamic. (This is not to say that I encourage or promote these somewhat archaic traditional gender roles, but simply they are given as examples of archetypes that most people are familiar with). The Mother archetype (Cancer and the Moon) is the nurturer who cares for the home - cooking the nourishing foods and providing for the emotional needs of the child. The Mother archetype encourages the connection to emotions, teaching care for others through empathy. The Father archetype (Capricorn and Saturn) is the provider of external needs, working outside the home to provide income. The Father archetype is also the one who encourages the child to eventually take responsibility for their own care (enforcing rules and restrictions) - and setting expectations for the child to go out in the world and succeed at their own path and create their own legacy. The Cancer/Capricorn axis holds within it the age old conflict between Matriarchy and Patriarchy - and the opposing forces of Liberal Socialism and Nationalist Authoritarianism. On a global, impersonal scale we are seeing these archetypes in conflict (seeking balance) in terms of a strong public outcry for nurturing and empathy while governments seem to be doubling down on restrictive and authoritarian policy. This theme has been predominant for the past year; related to the transits of Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter through the sign of Capricorn. For the United States, this is particularly potent as the country experiences its Pluto Return (Pluto returning to the place it was at the "Birth" of the country - in Capricorn) and this Full Moon falling on America's day of Independence - this country has a natal Cancer sun, after all! the Chart for the Full Moon on Saturday night could almost double as a Solar Return chart for the 2020 "birthday" of the United States, and as such - this particular Full Moon will influence the energy of the United States for the rest of the solar year until next July! Returning to the personal, let's look at how you can use this Full Moon for some powerful self-reflection and self awareness. There is a potent opportunity here to allow yourself to work on balancing and integrating the Cancer-Capricorn energies within your own life. Is there balance between your home life and your work life? Are you feeling worthy of both unconditional love, and for recognition for the things you work hard at? Below I am breaking down some ways to explore these energies - you can write in a journal, meditate, or use these as discussion topics with partners or friends. Cancer Energy Exploration How is your home life? Are you feeling safe, nurtured, and secure in your home environment? Is there anything you can do to increase the level of comforting and nurturing you have at home? What kind of self-care practices do you have? Are you open to receiving unconditional love? Love that is not dependent on external factors like what you do or how you act - but simply to be loved for who you are? Are you willing to give yourself this kind of love? Meditate on the tarot cards The Chariot (Cancer) and the Three of Cups (13 degrees Cancer). What do these cards mean to you? How can you embrace and embody the energy of these cards? If you read tarot, you can give yourself a reading with these cards as significators and ask for further advice in accessing the lessons of Cancer. Look to your birth chart to find your moon sign. If the moon is your inner Mother Archetype, how can you access this energy for mothering yourself? Your moon sign shows you the type of nurturing and emotional support you seek - and also the type of nurturing and emotional support you give to others. Look at your birth chart to find what House the 13th degree of Cancer is contained within. This will show you the "area of life" in which the sun in Cancer is occupying during the Full Moon and lunar eclipse. This can hold clues as to what area of life you may need to channel more nurturing, comfort, and unconditional love. Look at your birth chart to find your Fourth House. What sign rules this 4th house and are there any planets there? This can show you the type of home life you desire, and how you best express your own nurturing comforting energy. Capricorn Energy Exploration How is your Work life? Are you feeling acknowledged and appreciated for the work you do? Are there ways you can create a better work environment for yourself? What other projects and goals are you working on that give you a sense of satisfaction and purpose? Are these efforts acknowledged and appreciated by your peers? Where are you feeling restricted or facing boundaries or limitations in your life? How do you respond to rules and restrictions that are enforced by society or family? Are there any boundaries that you feel you need to actively fight against or overcome? In what ways do you need to enforce or uphold your own boundaries in order to succeed? Meditate on the tarot cards The Devil (Capricorn) and the Three of Pentacles (13 degrees Capricorn). What do these cards mean to you? How can you embrace and embody the energy of these cards? If you read tarot, you can give yourself a reading with these cards as significators and ask for further advice in accessing the lessons of Capricorn. Look at your birth chart to find your Saturn. Saturn is sometimes seen as the stern father archetype of the planets; here you will find the types of boundaries and restrictions you face in life. Your Saturn can show you how you respond to rules, restrictions, and limitations, as well as areas of life that you need to hold boundaries or create order. Look to your birth chart to find what house the 13th degree of Capricorn is held within. This will show you the "Area of life" that the moon will occupy during this full moon and eclipse, and can show you where you might need to focus on balancing your work, social status, or personal boundaries. Look at your birth chart for the 10th House. What sign rules this house, and are there any planets there? This house can show you what kind of career you desire, or where you wish to be publicly recognized for your projects and effort. Some further Astrology to be aware of for this Full Moon (see chart below) Pluto, Jupiter, and Saturn all in Retrograde in the sign of Capricorn. This is bringing a lot of change and introspection to the Capricorn energy, and some frustration as the retrogrades cause feelings of blockages or that efforts are not moving forward. There is progress and change happening here, but most of it is currently unseen or beneath the surface. Trust that there is change happening, though the results may not be seen until after the retrogrades are over. The Full Moon and eclipse (13 degrees) is happening just 10 degrees away from the Pluto-Jupiter conjunction at 23 degrees. After the eclipse the moon will move closer to these planets, and pass over all of them on it's way out of Capricorn on July 5th. Mercury retrograde in Cancer at 9 degrees, just 4 degrees away from the Sun at the time of the Full Moon and the eclipse. Be aware of the possibility of miscommunication, travel delays, and mistakes in monetary transactions. The asteroid Vesta in conjunction with the sun, both at 13 degrees Cancer. Vesta is the Roman Goddess of the Hearth Fire, related to her Greek counterpart Hestia- Goddess of Home and Hearth. The asteroid Vesta brings a strong sense of devotion to a personal cause (what fires are you tending?) and a willingness to make personal sacrifices for the greater good. Vesta joining in with the sun during this eclipse will strengthen the desire to care for the home environment while also activating a sense of duty related to whatever it is that you are dedicated to nurturing. Earlier in the day, before the eclipse the moon will square Mars in Aries, followed by a square to Chiron. As emotions run high there is a chance of feeling angry or reacting to situations out of anger, especially if you feel disrespected or encounter triggers related to past traumas. Be aware of this and be gentle with yourself. Your anger and pain are likely justified, but a measure of control in how you respond to those feelings will go a long way. Moon in Capricorn trine Uranus in Taurus - there may be a desire to indulge in some material comforts. This is fine but watch out for overspending, and keep an eye on your bank account in case of mistakes. Wishing you many blessings for this Full Moon! I hope that this post has brought you clarity, guidance, and a focus for your journey through this powerful full moon and eclipse. Blessed Be, friends!! ANNOUNCEMENT! This post is a FREE SNEAK PEEK at some of what will be offered on my Patreon. At the "Apollo and Artemis" Tier ($25 per month) you will have access to posts like this one through the month. Designed to be a full Astrology course you will learn about each astrological sign, ruling planets, houses and more. There will be guidance like in this post to help you make the most of each Full Moon and New moon, along with other content, discounted readings and special offers. Please check out my Patreon and the available tiers to learn more about ways you can access these teachings and help support me in doing this work. Beginning August 1st, posts like this one will be available for Patreon subscribers only. Everyone who subscribes to the Apollo and Artemis tier before August first will receive a FREE tarot or oracle card reading.

Continuing my A to Z Astrology basics, today's post is about the Birth Chart - also known as a Natal Chart. Astrologers study the placements of planets and asteroids for a variety of reasons, as explored in the previous post, "A is for Astrology". A Birth Chart is an event chart calculated from your date, place, and time of birth. It allows the astrologer to look at the planetary influences and energies that were present at the moment of your birth. Through examining a person's Birth Chart, we see a sort of map of that person's inherent or predisposed personality traits, life lessons, and even their soul's purpose in this lifetime. This is not to say that your birth chart defines who you are and every experience that you will have; but rather it serves as a guide for understanding the energies that motivate and influence your behaviors, thoughts, and ideals. A Birth Chart, like any event chart, can help us examine what was happening in the cosmos at a specific time and then interpret how that energy plays out in events of that day - or in the lifetime of a person born at that moment. Astrology works on the principle of "As Above, So Below" - or what happens in the Macrocosm is also reflected in the microcosm. Therefore, the study of a Natal Chart is the study of the Macrocosm (The Galaxy), applied to the microcosm of an individual's experiences and traits. Another way I have heard a Birth Chart described is as of your "Soul Contract". If you believe in Reincarnation with the soul's ultimate goal being to experience many different points of view and experiences over multiple lifetimes, you can see your Birth Chart as the Soul Contract that you created for this incarnation. Your soul desired to learn specific things in this lifetime in order to evolve and balance any past karmic debts, so you chose to be born at a specific time to bring in the lessons and energies of the planets in certain signs. This is a very simplified explanation, but I would recommend the book "Evolutionary Astrology" by Deva Green for a deeper exploration of this concept. In modern Western Astrology, the Birth Chart is primarily used for Spiritual and Psychological examination, but it is also used by some astrologers to help predict events in a person's life. From the Birth Chart, other chart casting methods are derived for specific purposes. A Transit reading applies the current placement of planets to one's birth chart to interpret influence of current energies on the individual. A Progressed Chart will examine the specific ways a person changes or matures based on their Birth Chart. Synastry Charts and Composite charts use two individual birth charts to examine relationship compatibility, including parent-child relationships and business partnerships. Depending on what kind of chart analysis you want, you might seek out an astrologer that specializes in a specific type of chart analysis. My personal recommendation for those who are just beginning to learn astrology, is that you develop a good understanding of Birth Chart analysis before adding in more complex layers of other types of chart readings. The same can be said for a client receiving a chart reading - it may be confusing to understand an analysis of your Progressed Chart or a Synastry chart if you have not yet understood your Birth Chart. ~~ Lilliana Blackstar of Hestia's Muse ~~ Hestia's Muse on facebook Email me or send a message on Facebook to schedule your Birth Chart analysis or transit reading hestiasmuse@gmail.com Follow Seattle Psychic's Association for our Monthly Virtual Events!

An astrological look at the #BlackLivesMatter movement and current events. Let me start by saying that I fully support #BlackLivesMatter and the protests that are currently happening as a response to continued police brutality and inequality that BIPOC face on a daily basis in the United States. I am not Black or a POC, and I recognize that my White Privilege has me looking in at all these events from the outside; and my perspective here is not in any way meant to talk over or overshadow the voices of BIPOC at this time. I am constantly challenging myself and my fellow white friends and family to Listen and Learn; to become better allies and help overthrow the systemic racism that is present in our culture and government. It is my intention here to outline the astrological influences of the movement as a means of encouragement, support, and understanding of what is happening. This content will be copyright free for anyone to share, with or without credit to me. Links to places you can donate to help the cause and support #BLM will be included; if you enjoy this content or find it helpful please make a donation to one of the organizations linked at the bottom of this page. The Birth of #BlackLivesMatter July 13, 2013, 10 pm In July 2013, millions had called out for justice related to the death of Trayvon Martin, a 17 year old fatally shot by George Zimmerman in February of that year. On the night of July 13th, a Grand Jury acquitted George Zimmerman. The collective grief and outrage was palpable, and very visible on social media as activists cried out; yet ANOTHER Black death without justice. A vocal Black Activist, Alicia Garza, wrote a post on facebook after the acquittal was announced in which she said; "Our lives matter. Black lives matter". Garza's friend and fellow activist, Patrisse Cullers replied with #BlackLivesMatter and the phrase soon became the slogan for a movement that spread across the world. Analyzing the Event Chart for the moment #BlackLivesMatter was born offers a lot of insight into the energetics behind this movement - how it operates and why it has had lasting power. The "Big Three" - Cancer Sun, Virgo Moon and Aquarius Rising. Sun in Cancer, 5th House. Cancer energy is about support and nurturing. It is the "mother" energy of the Zodiac, and it aligns with this movements deep desire to help people - and to shelter others from harm. Trayvon Martin was only 17 years old when he was killed... the Cancerian energy of a mother's desire to protect a child is highly relevant here.In the 5th house, this energy has a very public face that thrives in the spotlight; indeed it desires that spotlight because this sheltering and nourishing needs to be supported by the public in order for the message and goal to be achieved. Garza's original Facebook post began with "A Love Note To Black People" and the carried the voice of a mother reaching out to comfort a whole group of people hurt by tragedy. Moon in Virgo, 8th House. Virgo is the sign of Service, Devotion, and Health. A Virgo moon can inspire the desire for Sacred Service to a cause greater than one individual's needs. There is a strong need for both Discernment and Purification. The 8th House relates to Death and deep transformative experiences, as well as Secrets. A Virgo moon in the 8th House will push to reveal secrets and the hidden nature of structures that are obscuring concerning the cause that one is devoted to. Aquarius Rising. (Note* I don't have the exact time of Garza's original Facebook post, but her post and the resulting hashtag of Black Lives Matter was "born" after the announcement of Zimmerman's acquittal, which happened around 10 pm.) Aquarius is the sign of the Rebel and of Revolution - of thinking outside the box and breaking down thoughts and ideologies that are not serving the greater good of all. Aquarius' main function is to ask, "Does this work for the greater good of humanity? If not, it must be dismantled so we may move forward" The energy of Aquarius rising over the horizon at the time of the acquittal surely amplified the desire for Revolution and continues to contribute a strong influence to this movement's purpose. It is also interesting to note that Trayvon Martin was an Aquarius Sun. Interpersonal Planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn Mercury Retrograde in Cancer, conjunct with the Sun. Mercury is the planet of communication, thoughts, ideas, and travel. In the sign of Cancer, Mercury is concerned with expression of emotions and a desire to communicate needs for nurturing, comfort, and safety. In retrograde, this planet is pushing for Shadow Work; or the need to confront uncomfortable emotions. The retrograde of Mercury can also create difficulties in expressing these needs - such as miscommunication and barriers to communication. The #BlackLivesMatter movement has been marked by a massive misunderstanding, not the least of which is seen in people misinterpreting the slogan as if it is saying other lives do not matter or that Black Lives matter more. The resistance to #BLM is often seen by counter-protesters saying "all lives matter". If you still struggle with understanding why it is inappropriate and dismissive to say "All Lives Matter" please take a couple minutes to read this article; Why You Should Stop Saying 'All Lives Matter', Explained in 9 Different Ways. Mercury's close conjunction with the Sun makes this movement highly related to communication, while the 5th House again amplifies that public view and spotlight. Venus in Leo, 7th House, Conjunct the Descendant. Venus relates to desires and attraction. Venus in Leo brings a strong desire to be seen, heard and acknowledged. A primary goal of Black Lives Matter is to bring public awareness to the injustice present in the lives of Black people, a desire for these injustices to be acknowledged and given fair attention. These injustices are nothing new, and #BLM is a continuation of the Civil Rights Movement that has been ongoing for decades in America. Venus in Leo demands to be heard and seen. the 7th House is about partnerships and Venus here also indicates a strong desire for collaboration with a strong need for support from other groups and individuals in order to spread the message - and for it to reach its aim. What gets referred to as “the Black Lives Matter movement” is, in actuality, the collective labor of a wide range of Black liberation organizations, each holding their own distinct histories. These organizations include groups like the Black Youth Project 100, the Dream Defenders, Assata’s Daughters, the St. Louis Action Council, Millennial Activists United, and the Organization for Black Struggle, to name just a few. Mars in Cancer, 5th House. Conjunct Jupiter and Black Moon Lilith. Mars is the planet of War and Aggression, it signifies what someone is willing to fight for; where they will stand their ground and say, "this is what I am going to stand up for". In the case of Mars in Cancer, there is an additional push of anger and feelings of injustice related to emotions, nurturing, mothering, and safety. Mars had just entered Cancer within a day or two of this event chart. Cancer energy has a reputation of tightly clinging to its ideals and feelings, and Mars arriving here at this time brings the courage to speak up about and fight for these feelings and ideals. Also noting here the presence of Black Moon Lilith - a mathematical point in astrology that relates to rebellion against oppression, feminism, wrath, and spitefulness. Lilith's presence in tight conjunction with Mars and Jupiter in Cancer should be mentioned - especially since #BlackLivesMatter has had strong female leadership from the very beginning. This is another placement indicating the anger and grief of a mother attempting to protect her children and their freedom. Jupiter in Cancer, 5th House. Conjunct Mars and Lilith. Jupiter brings expansive awareness to whatever sign he is transiting, often forcing a sense of awakening and broadening of horizons or an expanded point of view. Jupiter also brings the energy of Luck, Justice, and Wisdom. This quote seems to highlight the nature of Jupiter in relation to #BLM - "Moreover, the broader cultural impact of BLM as a movement has been immeasurably expansive. BLM will forever be remembered as the movement responsible for popularizing what has now become an indispensable tool in 21st-century organizing efforts: the phenomenon that scholars refer to as “mediated mobilization.” By using the tools of social media, BLM was the first U.S. social movement in history to successfully use the internet as a mass mobilization device." From "How Black Lives Matter Changed The Way Americans Fight For Freedom" Saturn in Scorpio, 9th House. Saturn relates to Structures, Boundaries, Responsibility, Limitations, and Conditioning. The presence of Saturn in a Chart operates both to show what kind of structures or boundaries are being created, and what types of structures and boundaries are being challenged. In this respect, Saturn in Scorpio is building structures and boundaries related to deep emotional needs while also challenging structures and boundaries that inhibit deep change. The Saturn in Scorpio influence on the BLM movement is asking people to challenge and break down social conditioning (systemic racism that has been too long accepted in our society) while also asking individuals to take responsibility for their own roles in this conditioning, and the work they need to do to move beyond it. Discussions on White Privilege and White Ally-ship have been a prevalent part of the BLM movement as all people are asked to examine their roles within the structure that allows racism to continue; and take ownership of our need to challenge those structures. Saturn at 4 degrees Scorpio is in an exact trine with Jupiter at 4 degrees Cancer, showing these two planets working in harmony to bring deep, lasting change. For further exploration of the concept of White Privilege I encourage you to read "Explaining White Privilege To a Broke White Person" Outer Planets - the Generational Influence of Chiron, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto Chiron in Pisces, 1st House. Chiron is "The Wounded Healer" and shows us the nature of a deep wounding that might not ever fully heal. However it is through the Chiron wound that healing manifests - sometimes for a purpose beyond the healing itself - often it gives a deep sense of empathy that allows healing to be brought to others or the world through this point of suffering. The wound itself creates a kind of medicine forged by the painful experience and influences the type of healing that can then be brought forth for having had this experience. Chiron in Pisces relates to a collective wound; a pain suffered by many and experienced at a deep spiritual level. The event chart having Pisces in the first House brings this wound to the forefront of the movement - it is after all ultimately about acknowledging, respecting, tending to, and healing a deep collective wound of the spirit. Chiron in Pisces brings forth a type of medicine that tries to support a spiritual and emotional pain - such as the healing of a deeply embedded trauma from ongoing emotional abuse and gaslighting. Chiron is particularly powerful in this chart because of its powerful trine to Mercury. Both Mercury and Chiron are retrograde in the event chart, amplifying the need forself-reflection, shadow work and deep personal reflection in order to push the movement forward. Uranus in Aries, 2nd House. Uranus relates to the Collective Higher Consciousness, and the Collective drive for Revolution. Uranus is this event's "Chart Ruler", as the natural ruler of the Rising Sign Aquarius, so its placement is highly relevant to the movement. Uranus in Aries influenced a collective consciousness focused on revolution and change - primarily surrounding Identity Politics. Uranus in Aries brings justification to a sense of pride in one's personal identity, as well as a desire to push for and fight for justice related to that sense of identity. The collective voice of #BlackLivesMatter echoes the cries of an oppressed people who have experienced harm simply for existing with a certain color of skin - a voice that says it will not continue living this way! The resistance that BLM has met has also been influenced by Uranus in Aries, as we saw a large group of people expressing that they felt their identity was under attack as well - primarily white people in the deep south identifying with the confederate flag as a "symbol of their heritage" after Black people repeatedly asked them to stop displaying it. Uranus in Aries' influence means that this revolution feels personal to all parties. However, Uranus cares less about Personal Freedom than it does for what is better for the Good of Humankind, and Uranus' main function of revolution is always Humanitarian, not personal, by nature. Also interesting to note is the presence of the Asteroid Eris, at a 10 degree orb of Uranus. Eris represents Chaos and battle, often stemming from hurt feelings or a sense of one's pride being stepped on. Neptune in Pisces, 1st House. Neptune is in Dominion in the sign of Pisces. It relates to the Collective Subconscious - our collective Spiritual Identity. Neptune is the ruler of dreams as well as delusions and in Pisces it has brought both spiritual awakening and mass disillusionment. We can no longer pretend that everything is fine, as Neptune in Pisces has helped lift some of the veils of delusion. However, it has also brought a strong desire to disconnect from reality, and a collective need for escapism to avoid the heaviness of a reality that is an extremely harsh place for the personal ego. As this movement continues, spiritual and emotional burnout have been prevalent, and spiritual and emotional self care continue to be vital for everyone who is fighting for the cause. Neptune at 5 degrees Pisces forms a powerful Grand Water Trine with Saturn at 4 degrees Scorpio and Jupiter at 4 degrees Cancer, also bound with Mars and Black Moon Lilith. This is a strong collaboration between all the planets in Water signs that very strongly influences the mood of the Black Lives Matter movement. Neptune is still in Pisces today. Pluto in Capricorn, 11th House. Pluto moves slowly but brings deep change. The last time Pluto was in Capricorn we had the American Revolution and eventually wrote and signed our Declaration of Independence. Capricorn relates to government structures, social structures, the status quo, financial institutions, and rules or boundaries such as Authority figures. Pluto moving through Capricorn has slowly been revealing flaws in the system so that we can do the work to tear out the structures and groups no longer serving us and our current needs; to then build something better and stronger. There is a lot going on with Pluto in Capricorn worldwide, but this event chart really highlights Pluto's push for change in profound ways. First, Pluto is found in this event chart's 11th House. The 11th House is the realm of Aquarius and Uranus so any planet here is highly influential to this entire chart given its Aquarius Rising sign. Secondly, Capricorn is opposition to Cancer, so planets here oppose the Cancer planets (Sun, Mercury, Jupiter) Oppositions create tension and discomfort - but Pluto operates better under pressure; pressure and tension are what really bring change. This has an effect of pulling that 5th House Cancer activity to a "Higher Calling" of deep structural change within the 11th house Capricorn. Third, we have a powerful Pluto-Uranus Square in this event chart, highlighting yet another point of tension and pressure in the chart. Pluto is saying "Let's change this power structure" and Uranus is saying, "Yes, lets do that, but make it a REVOLUTION for HUMANITY" Capricorn energy can tend to feel impersonal but this Uranus square makes it personal and brings some fire to the Pluto's purpose. Another thing to note is that Pluto was retrograde in this event chart; Pluto is still in Capricorn today and just began his yearly retrograde period on April 24, a month before the 2020 George Floyd protests began. I am working on Part 2 of this post, which will examine this Event Chart in relation to current transits. Stay tuned and please share if you feel called to do so, and see below for Donation Links! Let me know in a comment what if you have questions about any of the placements discussed. DONATE NOW * 10 Black Lives Matter Organizations You can Donate To Right Now - a list of organizations recommended by Patrisse Cullors * Bail Funds for Protesters Across the Country * Split a Donation between 70 Different Bail Funds

as·trol·o·gy /əˈsträləjē/ noun 1. The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world. --- Oxford Dictionary The word astrology comes from the early Latin word astrologia, which derives from the Greek ἀστρολογία -from ἄστρον astron ("star") and -λογία -logia, ("study of" or "account of the stars"). Astrologia later passed into meaning 'star-divination'. In ancient times, Astrology and Astronomy were interlinked yet eventually the two practices became distinctly separated - Astronomy focusing wholly on the scientific method and Astrology becoming labeled as a pseudoscience. I find it interesting to point out interpretations of the two terms Astronomy and Astrology. Astronomy being rooted in Latin from "nomia" can translate as 'Naming The Stars"; while Astrology being rooted from the Latin "Logia" can be translated as "The Stars Speaking". Astronomy is the study of the properties of the stars and celestial bodies from a scientific standpoint, while Astrology is the practice of "Listening to the Stars", or interpreting meaning from the movement of celestial bodies. The History of Astrology Mankind has always studied the stars. Archaeologists have found paintings and carvings with maps of the stars and evidence of tracking Lunar Phases dating as far back as 30,000 BC. The study of the stars was our earliest method tracking of seasonal changes, as well as tracking our location using star maps. Archaeological records and Hindu Scriptures show the earliest development of Astrology in India beginning around 5,000 BC. This Astrological System has been developed and used for thousands of years and is still in use today; known as Vedic Astrology. The Sumerians in Mesopotamia made impressive star maps dating back to 6,000 BC, noting the movement of planets and creating detailed calendars. The Babylonians continued the work of the Sumerians, and between 2,400 BC and 331 BC they develop a detailed astrological system including the Zodiac Wheel we use today (with planets and houses) and the oldest known Horoscope (Birth Chart) dated to 409 BC. Around 331 BC Alexander The Great conquers the Sumerians, and the Greeks appropriate the Babylonian astrological system and incorporate it with their own methods. The Greek names for planets, signs, and other astrological terminology are still used today in modern Western Astrology - also known as Tropical Astrology.* (* this article I will only really speak of Tropical Astrology, as I have not studied Vedic Astrology. I think both forms are valid and useful, but I have not studied the History of Vedic enough to speak on it.) The uses of Tropical Astrology have changed over the years. To the Ancient Greeks astrology was commonly used to help predict outcomes of wars and battles, to help decide when and where to build a city, or determine the fate of a political movement. In the 5th Century AD with the fall of the Roman Empire, Astrology loses popularity and is seemingly forgotten for a few hundred years; flourishing again in The Middle Ages. For a time Western Astrology is very popular among doctors, mathematicians, scientists, the royal courts, and even used by monks and popes. Astrology begins to be used in more personal ways with a focus on Horoscopes and Birth Charts, particularly with Medical Astrology. It is during the Middle Ages that Placidus, a mathematics professor and monk, designs the House System that is still the most popular system in use by modern Tropical Astrologers. However, this popularity of Astrology is silenced as the Catholic Church grows in power and the Inquisition begins... many scientists are forced to renounce Astrology as it is labeled heresy and superstition by the church. During "The Age of Reason" (1700 - 1800 AD) Astrology is shunned as a superstition, and the focus on Sciences and Skepticism prevails. Astrology in Europe is still practiced but largely seen as "for entertainment only" as a means of protecting people from prosecution under the Anti-Witchcraft Laws - and therefore practiced underground or in secret societies and only published under pseudonyms to protect the identity of authors. In 19th Century England there is a renewed interest in mysticism and astrology (though still thinly veiled as "entertainment" since Anti-Witchcraft Laws still existed that defined Astrology & Divination as fraud.) However, during this time the Psychologist Carl Jung includes Astrology in the analysis of personality. This highly influenced how Astrology is used today as a form of understanding the personality and psyche rather than being solely focused on predictions and divination. In the 1950's the final remaining Anti-Witchcraft Laws are repealed in England, resulting in the publication of books, magazine articles, and newspaper horoscopes - and a renewed public interest in Astrology around the world. With the invention of the Internet and the World Wide Web - access to information about Astrology also influences an extreme popularity in societies all around the world. Today there are many different Types of Astrology that focus on different purposes; such as psychological development, predictive divination, medical astrology, and spiritual development. When you are beginning to study Astrology, it might be relevant to ask yourself what intention you personally wish to study astrology for, and begin by studying the type of Astrology that aligns with your intentions. This is the first post in a series I will be publishing here called A to Z Astrology! Check back or subscribe to see a different Astrological term or concept explored each week! Sources: https://www.astrologers.com/about/history https://astrostyle.com/learn-astrology/history-of-astrology-timeline/ https://www.sunsigns.org/origins-vedic-astrology/ https://www.astroyogi.com/articles/what-are-the-different-kinds-of-astrology.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_astrological_traditions,_types,_and_systems

Sun in ARIES March 19 - April 19 A Special Offer for Aries Season - get a personal Astrology reading focused on the Transits of Aries and Mars and how they relate to your birth chart! We will examine: What House Aries rules in your Natal Chart What Planets are in the sign of Aries. Where is your Mars? Aspects and House related to your Natal Mars. Transitting Mars in Capricorn and Aquarius in relation to your Natal Chart. This specialized Chart Reading is designed to help you understand your own Inner Warrior and what you are being called to stand up and fight for in your own life during these times of change. Mars is the planet that represents our Drives, Passions, and Willingness to Act. Through understanding the signature of Mars and Aries in your Natal Chart, and where Mars is showing up in your life right now, you can help direct your energy into useful and progressive channels rather than letting it build into anxiety and fear. Mars is the planet of Courage and Strength and we could all use a bit of that right now! This reading is available now through April 19th for $50. Reading will be presented through live video chat either in Zoom or on Facebook Messenger. Email hestiasmuse@gmail.com to schedule your reading! Please clarify in the email that you want the Aries/Mars Astrology reading.

"I [Aphrodite] should find some favour with the sea, for in its holy depths in days gone by from sea-foam I was formed, and still from foam I take my name in Greece." - Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 521 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) 3/27/2019 Venus entered Pisces on Tuesday and she seems to be demanding some sort of fanfare and tribute. After all, the planet of Love and Beauty is exalted in the watery sign of Pisces! It feels a bit like Aphrodite going to the Sea to celebrate her birth place and accept all the lavish gifts and praises of her Devotees and Lovers. I have been wanting to write about Venus in Pisces for a few days now (or rather, She's been demanding I give her some attention on my blog) but I've been terribly distracted and unfocused. I blame this on Mercury's final days of retrograde in Pisces, conjunct dreamy Neptune. If you've been feeling the confusion and haziness the past few days, you're not alone! Venus just joined the Pisces game and upped the desire for fantasy and escapism, but at least Mercury will start moving forward again on Thursday! Pisces Pathways So what's the deal with Pisces energy anyway? We've all felt the Pisces influence recently with the sun's annual transit of the sign of The Fish (February 18th thru March 20), along with Mercury entering Pisces on February 10th and the Pisces New Moon on March 6th. Neptune has been slowly swimming through the sign of his rulership since 2012, and won't be leaving until 2025! Pisces energy is by nature, hard to define. As the Mutable Water sign of the zodiac, it tends to defy definition, slipping out of any box we try to put it in. It is the realm of the emotional, the spiritual, faith, the dream and fantasy, psychic abilities, psychedelic experiences, the subconscious mind and the karmic patterns of the soul; all those ineffable things that poets, song writers, and philosophers have expressed through history in ever-changing ways. That may all sound good - however; within the realm of dream and fantasy also lie the world of delusions, fears, and self-defeating behaviors such as addiction and escapism. "Beware: Here There Be Dragons" and other fantastical creatures which can offer us either great wisdom or great danger, depending on how we approach them. I think this quote is one that sums up Pisces energy quite well; “The psychotic drowns in the same waters in which the mystic swims with delight.” [Joseph Campbell, Psychology of the Future: Lessons from Modern Consciousness Research ] because the watery realm of Pisces can either be on one hand a delightful place of mystical enlightenment, or on the other hand a path of misleading delusional states and psychosis. These of course are the two extremes of Pisces pathology, and hopefully one can find the Middle Path when on this journey. Journeys With Venus Venus - "The Light of Beauty" is the brightest object in our sky other than the sun and the moon. Venus orbits around the zodiac wheel in just 225 days, spending under a month moving through each sign of the Astrological Wheel. Venus is the Planet of Love, Beauty, and Attraction and rules over the signs of Taurus and Libra. As ruler of Taurus, Venus acts as the source of our desire for material growth, prosperity, and comfort on the physical plane. As ruler of Libra, Venus acts as the source of our desire for union, connection, partnership and balance with others. Wherever Venus is in the zodiac wheel, she brings the energy of attraction; awakening our sentiments of Love, Desire, and Sharing through the energy of whatever sign she is travelling through. Venus is exalted in the sign of Pisces - while this Planet will be best expressed in either Taurus or Libra, an exaltation is the complimentary sign through which a planet's energy is most positively expressed. Pisces is often associated with the Ocean - the source of all life. Venus is named after the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty - known to the Greeks as Aphrodite and to the Hindus as Lakshmi. Mythologies of both Aphrodite and Lakshmi relate her being born from the sea - the personification of beauty, pleasure, wealth, and inspiration. Venus moving through the signs will inspire our creative passion in different areas of life as we find value in and attraction to the lessons and energies of the sign that she is transitting. This is especially true in the signs of Taurus, Libra and Pisces where her traits are expressed most positively. (However, in the signs of Aries, Scorpio, and Virgo, Venus' negative traits of jealousy, obsessiveness, or greed might be more pronounced) Venus lights up a passion and desire in us that can be transmuted into a sort of magnetism that draws us towards what we are seeking. She's the moth's desire to fly toward the light, and the Salmon's desire to swim home to procreate - that internal desire that pushes us to go out seeking, connecting, and creating. "Venus gives Man the need to grow both materially and spiritually, and her powers of attraction are those which lead one on a path toward continual increment. The vibrations of Venus manifest themselves at their purest when in the sign of Pisces. It is then that selfishness is transmuted into selflessness and personal love becomes universal love." [Alan Oken, Alan Oken's Complete Astrology, Ibis Press] Venus in Pisces allows us the fall in love with everything and everyone! As she celebrates her birthplace of the Sea- the watery realm of Unification from whence all life originates and all must return; Venus reminds us of our deep inner connection, the beauty of our own spiritual journeys and common dreams or fantasies. Alan Oken says; " The personal magnetism, sense of social harmony, and artistic nature embodied by Venus [in PIsces] is expressed through compassion and unversality of outlook. There is a tendency for overindulgence in continually changing forms of sensual self-expression as well as the ability to be sympathetic and completely understanding of all people." Venus moving through Pisces can help us relate to others from a place of deeper empathy and compassion, while making deeper connections from a place of a unified desire for the pleasures of shared dreams. Now is the time to really ask yourself where you wish to grow spiritually, and then seek out the supportive partnerships that can help you manifest those goals into physical reality. Be wary of strong attraction to fantasy and escapism though, as Venus in Pisces might encourage us to get caught up in sensuality and pleasure-seeking - but allow yourself to enjoy it if that is what Venus brings you! Just try not to get caught up in it or swept away - remember the key to navigating the Pisces Path is moderation and the Middle Way. All in all, Venus moving through Pisces can serve to reinvigorate your dreams and remind you what you truly desire, and this can and should be beautiful! How can you make the most of Venus in Pisces: * Find out what HOUSE Pisces is in on your birth chart. This will hold clues about where Venus' movement through Pisces might manifest in your life. * Meditate on Venus. Meditate on Pisces. Journal your experiences. * Keep a dream journal. * Create a Vision Board - a collage or physical representation of the things that spark joy and love. What do you find beautiful that inspires you? * Explore the concept of individual love vs Universal Love. Aspects to Current Planets or Natal Planets As Venus moves through Pisces - she will form aspects with other planets that are currently in the following signs, as well as aspects to any planets in these signs in your birth chart. * Conjunctions with planets in Pisces. This tends to amplify the lessons of a sign, as two or more planets are teaching its lessons at the same time. The Venus-Neptune conjunction around April 9th will be quite dreamy and profound. * Opposition to planets in Virgo. Oppositions are challenging yet balancing. There are lessons to be learned from the opposite signs that can create greater harmony in our lives if we heed the lessons. * Trines to planets in Cancer and Scorpio. This is a harmonious aspect, as the water signs generally support each other. * Squares to planets in Gemini and Sagittarius. Squares are generally seen as challenging aspects - the element is different but the mode (mutable) is the same. There is something to be learned here, don't be discouraged. * Sextiles to planets in Capricorn and Taurus. A generally supportive aspect as these signs might share a common goal, though generally have different ideas on how to reach that outcome. Find the compromise. Venus will sextile both Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn as she moves through Pisces. Totally random side note on Venus, compliments of Mercury and Neptune in Pisces causing me to go on a tangent; One of the things I find most fascinating about Venus is the pattern created in her relation to the earth, called a Synodic Cycle; which creates a five-pointed star or five petaled flower. That next Interior Conjunction of Earth and Venus happens in August 2019 when Venus is in Leo. Check out this video from Shamanic Astrologer Gemini Brett to see this Synodic Cycle in action -

As some of you know, last year I began my journey in earning my Associates Degree in Wiccan Ministry! Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary is the official Seminary School for Wiccan Clergy with the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. The Aquarian Tabernacle Church (The ATC) is a federally recognized Church of Wicca with affiliated churches and circles across the United States, Canada, France, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa. Founded in 1979 the ATC has been providing places of worship for Wiccans and Pagans; as well as creating ministry programs such as Spiral Scouts International, Hospital and Military chaplaincy programs, Festivals, and more. Wicca and Neo-Paganism are quickly growing in popularity across the world - perhaps as we near the Age of Aquarius people are seeking again to find balance and harmony with mother nature and are therefore drawn to religions and spiritual belief systems centered on Earth based practices. Whatever the reason, people are searching for ways to connect with the Divine and many are looking to Paganism and Wicca to find that connection. Some of us are called beyond that - to enter into leadership and ministry! I've heard that call for quite some time, starting when I lived in a place with no local circles to join and I found myself leading small study groups and Sabbat celebrations with friends in my home. Last summer (2018) I learned about Woolston-Steen and I couldn't stop thinking about it. Should I attend? I had been involved with an ATC affiliate church not far from my home for a few years, and had attended Spring Mysteries Festival earlier in 2018. I was still leading small community circles in my home and finding a lot of people were interested in attending. In meditation, I asked Goddess about going to the school. My answer was this feeling of warmth and joy and a gentle, "Yes, you're already on the path of the Priestess. Take your learning to the next level!" So I began my journey, not really knowing what to expect beyond what I had read on the website and heard from some friends from the ATC. From the school website: "Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary offers the finest possible education to pagans of all belief systems. It is dedicated serving those who seek to learn the Craft of the Wise, and minister in the ways of the Old Gods. At Woolston-Steen, we are devoted to bringing you traditional, formal magical training, blended with modern day concepts that support a practitioner ministering in today’s multi-cultural world.  Woolston-Steen is a state recognized Wiccan College, and was also the first to gain such recognition. The State of Washington’s Higher Education Coordinating Board has granted us the ability to grant degrees and certifications in Wicca Theology. We are proud to say that it is the quality of our curriculum that leads the way in bringing you the best possible Wiccan Clerical training available. WSTS uses every resource at our disposal to promote well educated Wiccan clergy." Freshman Year curriculum exceeded my expectations as it included both academic study and personal growth. With a combination of assignments designed to help you explore your personal relationship with Divinity while also deepening your understanding of Wiccan faith and ritual construction; the Freshman courses take you on a journey of transformation. I've outlined the courses below. Accelerated Wicca (Wicca 101, 102, 103) Through this course you explore the Theology of Wicca with meditations and exercises exploring personal responsibility, Relative Truth, Manifestation, Law of Attraction, and our relationship with the Gods and Goddesses. You learn grounding techniques, basic energy work, how to Invoke Deity, and more. Ritual 101 This course explores in depth the basics of Ritual construction. You deepen your understanding of how and why we cast circle, use certain tools and incantations, and apply these skills through personal rituals and meditations. Wheel of The Year (Wicca 106) Explore the changing of the seasons through rituals and meditations for each of the eight Sabbats of the Wheel of The Year. History of Wicca (Wicca 110) Develop an understanding of the history of Wicca and modern Pagan practices. Starting with exploration of early Goddess Worship in ancient times and the era of the Inquisition and Burning Times, to the creation of Wicca in the 1950's by Gerald Gardner. Then understand how Wicca has grown and changed over the past 70 years, and who has influenced it up to current times. Wiccan Law (Wicca 130) Study and understand the Moral and Ethical guidelines of Wicca as written in the book, "The New Book of The Laws" by Lady Galadriel There are also optional electives that can be taken during Freshman Year. Freshman year is mostly self-paced and can be started at any time during the year. Live classes are available to join through Skype to meet with the teachers and discuss current topics. However, live sessions are recorded for those who have conflicting schedules. Wheel of The Year classes and assignments are only available depending on the current season, as you will learn about the energy of the season while it is currently unfolding for you. If you join later in the calendar year like I did, you need only complete Accelerated Wicca and Ritual 101 in order to move on to Sophomore Year, but you will still need to complete all the Freshman courses to get your degree. I suggest giving yourself plenty of time, as this course work can be intense - but with commitment and hard work some people can get it done in a short period of time. I really enjoyed all these classes and found them challenging yet enriching! Through my studies I expanded my knowledge, deepened my personal spiritual path, made new friends, learned new meditations, and found my connection to Wicca growing and solidifying. I am so grateful for this school, my teachers, and the ATC and look forward to continuing my studies through my Sophomore year. I'm already so much more confident in creating and leading small community ritual gatherings as well as more devoted to my personal spiritual path. If you are called to go deeper in your Spiritual practice and potentially become a leader in the Pagan or Wiccan community, I highly recommend looking into Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary! This community is so welcoming and supportive they are sure to become your spiritual family if you choose to follow this path! ~ Hestia's Muse / Lilliana Blackstar