Astrology Carnival: Twentieth Edition

Welcome to the twentieth edition of the astrology carnival! There are four great submissions this time.

Ella shares a bit about her current journey as it relates to vedic astrology in Sun Problems posted at ZODIAC TIMES.

Olga writes about The spiritual origin of the Zodiac posted at Metaphysical light rays meditation.

Josephina shares her love of the moon in My Lunar Celebration posted at Heart To The Ground.

And, given my recent epiphany about Chiron, Beth fittingly gives us How Chiron Parties in the Houses posted at Astrology Explored.

For the next edition of the carnival, the optional theme is oppositions. Feel free to send in any astrology-related articles, though. Also, if you have any suggestions for a theme you'd like to see, let me know.

You can submit your blog article to the next edition of the astrology carnival using the carnival submission form. You can also email me (theknowitallastrologer @ gmail.com) your link (make sure you mention that you want it included in the carnival) or post it in the comments below. Past posts and future editions can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Tags: astrology carnival, blog carnival, Chiron, Moon

astrology

Pluto and Chiron: My Journey

Since my Dad passed away, there has been this feeling of transformational healing and a deep peace inside me that, I must admit, did not make sense. Within the whole swirl of emotions I've been feeling, I was not expecting peace and a sense of healing to be among them. So I've been wondering what's up with this energy and decided to check my chart out to help me make sense of it.

Astrological epiphanies come at the strangest times. To the right, is my chart on the day my father passed away. Transitting Pluto in Capricorn is trining my natal Chiron in Taurus. That's a transformational healing aspect if I ever saw one (I think somewhere I've read this aspect referred to as healing power coming from a loss). I've never really felt an intuitive pull to include Chiron in my readings before. I haven't been resistant to including Chiron, but I just didn't see what other astrologers were seeing. I never really knew why before, but now I'm thinking it's because I wasn't ready to understand how Chiron was manifesting in my life. And now that I'm intensely feeling Chiron's energy, I can see how he's been working in my life more clearly now. Like, I can see that when I need to heal from something I tend to turn to writing (Chiron conjunct Mercury) and all things creative (Chiron in the 5th house). I'm sure this aha moment will lead to more lessons about Chiron, especially since Pluto will aspect it a couple more times this year.

tags: Pluto in Capricorn, Pluto, Pluto trine Chiron, Chiron

astrology

Astrology Carnival: Nineteenth Edition

Welcome to the nineteenth edition of the astrology carnival! I really enjoyed putting it together. It was nice to take a break from things and immerse myself in the astro-world for a bit.

Julie shares another wonderful article called Pluto into Capricorn posted at Julie Demboski's Astrology.

Scott sent in a piece about baby horoscopes from Parents.com.

Kate shares a bit of her astrology journey in Predictions for Kate in 2008 posted at Babylune.

I was debating a bit with myself about this next submission as it's not related directly to the topic of astrology. But I really liked Rob's idea to help 500 people reach their goals. So if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, check it out ~ Live Your Best Life By Serving Others. posted at Rob Moshe.

For the next edition of the carnival, the optional theme is transits that most and/or least affect you. Feel free to send in any astrology-related articles, though. Also, if you have any suggestions for a theme you'd like to see, let me know.

You can submit your blog article to the next edition of the astrology carnival using the carnival submission form. You can also email me (theknowitallastrologer @ gmail.com) your link (make sure you mention that you want it included in the carnival) or post it in the comments below. Past posts and future editions can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Tags: astrology carnival, blog carnival, Pluto in Capricorn, baby horoscopes

astrology

Mercury Retrograde Lessons

As I dig through my Dad's papers and records, it's reminding me of why it's important to do things like backing up important files and reorganizing your life during a Mercury Retrograde: Because if you don't, you'll end up having to deal with it during a Mercury Retrograde, which makes it a much more frustrating process. When Mercury is in Retrograde, he is quite fond of revealing the places where disorder and disrepair lie. Ultimately, it's a good thing, because it allows us to see where reordering and repairing are needed in our lives. Mercury Retrograde periods allow us to see the little things in our lives that we need to fix so everything can run more smoothly.

The other lesson I was reminded of during this Mercury Retrograde period is that we'll never get it all done. There will always be something that needs to be fixed or a detail that's been overlooked. All we can do is our best and be compassionate towards ourselves and others.

Mercury is now moving forward in Aquarius. The next Mercury Retrograde is in Gemini from May 26 to June 19, 2008.

tags: Mercury Retrograde

astrology

My Dad passed away on Friday

My wonderful, Cancerian Dad passed away on the 8th of February. He was in the hospital for a week before. I am so grateful I was able to spend time with him and that my last words to him were "I love you."

I'm not sure how much blogging I will be doing as I deal with all the things that come with the death of a loved one. I'll be back, though, so keep checking in and keep submitting to the astrology carnival. I'm sure I'll be posting some sort of astro-tribute to my Dad in the near future.

tags:

astrology

Mercury Retrograde and Mars Direct

On January 28th, Mercury began its retrograde in Aquarius. That means it's time to do all the usual Mercury Retrograde stuff like backing up computers files, avoiding signing contracts if possible, going over the fine print on everything. Move slowly, avoid multitasking, and assume everything you say will have to be repeated at least twice. Get a translator for any instructions you may need to decipher. Read those last few sentences again. And remember that this retrograde will give us an early opportunity to reassess our 2008 goals and see if we need to readjust our targets. Mercury will move forward again on February 18th.

And today (January 30th) Mars turned direct in Gemini. I actually cheered. This Mars Retrograde beat me up a little - got sick twice, low energy the rest of the time, so not fun. It's amazing how a retrograde period can show you how the energy of a planet manifests in your life, though.

tags: Mercury Retrograde, Aquarius, Mercury in Aquarius, Mars, Mars Direct, Gemini

astrology

Pluto in Capricorn

On January 25th, Pluto moved into Capricorn. Pluto will move back into Sagittarius for a little bit when it turns retrograde later on this year before he begins the full term of his sixteen year stay in Capricorn.

A Pluto transit, in the beginning, can feel like a trap door opening suddenly underneath your feet, dropping you abruptly into a world that you don't recognize and, most likely, don't want to be in. You will definitely know if Pluto is active in your chart right now. So if you're feeling lost, confused, or alone, please reach out to friends, family, therapists etc. for help if you need it.

Pluto rules the dark places of our subconscious ~ our fears, our doubts, the places that make us feel so much shame and guilt we feel we must hide them. Pluto also rules our true power, the light we must find within ourselves in order to see in the darkest part of our lives. Capricorn rules the structures of our lives, and Pluto rules where those structures draw their nourishment from. One of the lessons of this transit will be to learn how to use our true power to nourish the structures in our lives. Pluto challenges us to stop thinking about being successful in the eyes of others, and to instead ask ourselves who we truly want to be in life (the recent Mars-Pluto oppositions have brought this up as well). Pluto wants us to figure out who we are when we are stripped of all the things our egos have worked so hard to create in our lives.

A seed must grow down before it can grow up, and that is the journey Pluto takes us on. To work with a Pluto transit and get the most out of it, become curious about your fears, doubts, and dark places. Ask where they come from, and what they are trying to protect you from. A Pluto transit offers the opportunity to alchemically transmute all old beliefs, fears, ideas into new possibilities and paths.

tags: Pluto, Capricorn, Pluto in Capricorn

astrology

Astrology Carnival: Eighteenth Edition

Welcome to the eighteenth edition of the astrology carnival!

Swami Tarakananda shares with us Astrology–A Practical Consideration posted at The Atma Jyoti Blog.

For the next edition of the carnival, the optional theme is Jupiter and/or Pluto in Capricorn. Feel free to send in any astrology-related articles, though. Also, if you have any suggestions for a theme you'd like to see, let me know. I'm abandoning deadlines since I'm clearly not sticking with them, so I'll be accepting submissions on an ongoing basis and posting as it makes sense.

You can submit your blog article to the next edition of the astrology carnival using the carnival submission form. You can also email me (theknowitallastrologer @ gmail.com) your link (make sure you mention that you want it included in the carnival) or post it in the comments below. Past posts and future editions can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Tags: astrology carnival, blog carnival

astrology

Gifts for Astrology Lovers

Here's this year's list of astrology related gift ideas. I may add ideas later as I think of them. Feel free to make suggestions, share your wish lists, or ask for more ideas if nothing here is a fit.

Calendars

Llewellyn makes the best astrology calendar. They also have a 2008 Astrological Pocket Planner available.

Etsy Finds

I did some searching through Etsy for some astro-gifts, because I thought this would be a great opportunity to promote some designers and artists. Please keep in mind that, when ordering from Etsy, availability may be limited because they are handcrafted items, if something you like has been sold ask if they'd be willing to make another one for you, and make sure to read shipping details for each shop as they may be located in a different country.

Here's a list of my faves:

Suzanna Coombes has some gorgeous Zodiac Symbol Pendants available at her Metalandstone shop.

Alicia Istanbul also has some beautiful Zodiac Pendants

And Erika Schulz has incredible Zodiac Paintings.

Books by fellow astro-bloggers

April'snew book, Star Guide to Weddings, is coming out soon and is available for pre-order.

Phil also has a book out. It's called Cosmic Trends: Astrology Connects the Dots

Astrology Books

I'll keep this short as I can easily go overboard with recommendations here. I'll add more as (if) people ask for ideas. I thought I'd suggest books for two of the most commonly known (or so it seems) planetary afflictions: Saturn Return and Mercury Retrograde.

Surviving Saturn's Return is geared towards women who just turned, or are approaching, thirty and are therefore going through their first Saturn Return.

And since everyone has probably suffered from a Mercury Retrograde meltdown at some point, we could all benefit from having a copy Chrissie Blaze's Mercury Retrograde: Your Survival Guide to Astrology's Most Precarious Time of Year.

tags: Mercury Retrograde, Saturn Return, Astrology Gifts, Calendar, Zodiac, Astrology Books, Etsy

astrology

Mars Retrograde in Cancer and Gemini

On November 15th, Mars turns retrograde in Cancer and will move forward on January 31st, 2008 in Gemini. Out of all the planets, Mars retrogrades the least. A Mars retrograde only happens about once every two years and two months.

When Mars turns retrograde it is a time to pause and think stategically about your current course of action. This is not a great time to get embroiled in conflicts so do your best to avoid them. Mars is quick to anger, and sometimes that anger can get short term results that seem beneficial. A question to ask yourself during this retrograde is whether your anger is truly productive (ie keeping others from crossing your boundaries and taking advantage of you) or destructive (ie a way to manipulate others and make yourself feel powerful).

During this retrograde cycle, Mars will be opposing Pluto two more times - January 2nd and March 7th (the first opposition took place on Sept. 21st). This is a powerful time to create radical transformation. To keep Mars from picking fights and getting twitchy from not being able to move forward at the rate he is used to, it is important to channel his energy into clearing away any emotional and mental debris that may be impedding your progress. Look deeply at where action is needed in your life and where lack of action is causing problems to fester. The area of your chart where Mars is transitting will be where Pluto will challenge you to drop your arrogance and false self. The area Pluto is transitting is where Mars will poke your deep seated fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities and challenge you to own your power. Pluto and Mars are asking all of us, "Who do you really want to be in this life, and why the bleep aren't you making it happen?"

tags: Mars Retrograde, Mars, Cancer, Gemini, Pluto, Jupiter, Sagittarius

astrology

Astrology Carnival: Seventeenth Edition

Welcome to the seventeenth edition of the astrology carnival!

The optional theme for this edition was eclipses and Matthew delivered with an article about how the lunar eclipse hit Britney in America's Other 9/11 Crisis: The Day After Britney Spears posted at Matthew The Astrologer.

And Beth shares a great article on Saturn ~ Astrology Explored Your Saturn Points, If You Care, Don't Touch Me There posted at Astrology Explored.

For the next edition of the carnival, the optional theme is the holidays, from what's happening astrologically to gift recommendations for astrology lovers. Feel free to send in any astrology-related articles, though. Also, if you have any suggestions for a theme you'd like to see, let me know.

The eighteenth edition of this carnival will come out around November 16th. You can submit your blog article to the next edition of the astrology carnival using the carnival submission form. You can also email me (theknowitallastrologer @ gmail.com) your link (make sure you mention that you want it included in the carnival) or post it in the comments below. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Tags: astrology carnival, blog carnival, Eclipses, Saturn

astrology

Astrology Carnival: Sixteenth Edition

Welcome to the sixteenth (slightly delayed) edition of the astrology carnival!

Matthew writes about Pluto transits in Britney Spears & Me: Yeah, We're Close posted at Matthew The Astrologer.

fern feto spring muses on Virgo's Saturn posted at Wisestars's Weblog.

For the next edition of the carnival, the optional theme is eclipses. Feel free to send in any astrology-related articles, though. Also, if you have any suggestions for a theme you'd like to see, let me know.

The seventeenth edition of this carnival will come out around October 16th. You can submit your blog article to the next edition of the astrology carnival using the carnival submission form. You can also email me (theknowitallastrologer @ gmail.com) your link (make sure you mention that you want it included in the carnival) or post it in the comments below. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Tags: astrology carnival, blog carnival, Pluto, Saturn in Virgo, Saturn, Virgo

astrology

Saturn in Virgo

On Sept 2nd, 2007, Leo will be taking much pleasure in kicking Saturn out into Virgo. And after dealing with the drama of Leo, Saturn will be taking much pleasure in his stay in Virgo - his home away from Capricorn - until October 29th, 2009.

Saturn in Virgo will be one of the gentler Saturn transits. Of course, that will depend on what exactly you have planted in your life up until now. It'll also depend on how much work you have done with the energy Saturn represents in your life. Those with the Sun, Moon, or Saturn in Virgo, or a Virgo Ascendant will be most affected by this transit.

Saturn represents The Teacher archetype and Virgo represents The Student, so Virgoans will excel at learning Saturn's lesson and become teacher pets. Saturn wants us to deal with the weeds in our lives and take them out by the root before they overtake everything. Saturn also wants us to learn to plant the seeds we actually want to reap in our lives. When dealing with Saturn's lesson always keep your attention focused on what you are responsible for: your actions and thoughts.

Virgo believes that god is in the details and tends to forget that the devil is in the details as well. It can be easy to get so caught up in trying to get rid of the weeds and creating the most immaculate garden, that you forget to plant any seeds. Saturn in Virgo will present the challenge of making sure our daily routines really serve the things we want to create in our lives and aren't just busywork.

tags: Saturn, Virgo, Saturn Return

astrology

Astrology Carnival: Rained Out Edition

Since there were no submissions this month, this is just a quick announcement for the next edition of the carnival. The optional theme this time will be Pluto. The deadline will be September 15th. For details on how to submit check out the previous edition of the astro-carnival

tags: Astrology Carnival

astrology

Intuitive Astrology: A Book Review

I recently finished reading Intuitive Astrology by Elizabeth Rose Campbell. I love this book! As Elizabeth describes in the Introduction, Intuitive Astrology is an off shoot of Evolutionary Astrology (also known as choice-centered astrology). She believes that learning how to read your own chart will allow you to get so much more out of it. I totally agree.

This book manages to have something for every level of astrology student. The book is written so beginners in astrology who are interested in learning more about how their charts apply to their lives can easily pick up on the concepts, without getting bogged down in astro-jargon. The questions and exercises are designed to help with intuitively connecting with the energy of each planet, house, and sign (and four major aspects) and finding a deeper, more personal experience of how they are working in our lives. Elizabeth uses plenty of examples from her clients lives to illustrate how a particular configuration is showing up, and there are twelve (one for each sun sign) in depth stories - each accompanied by a chart - to explore.

My favorite part about this book is in the last chapter where Elizabeth shows how to use your chart to help you accomplish your dreams and goals. At its best, astrology makes you think more deeply about yourself and your life. That's exactly what this book does.

Sadly, Elizabeth Rose Campbell passed away in 2004. I'm grateful that a part of her legacy includes this book.

tags: Intuitive Astrology

astrology