Mars in Virgo and our Zodiac Sign: Part II

Following from my previous post, where I discussed how Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra are expected to incorporate the energies of Mars in Virgo, this post will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that Mars entered Virgo on November 11^th 2011 and will remain there for approximately eight months. If, as I suspect, you’re only interested to read about your personal zodiac sign (or the sign of your loves ones), please scroll down until you find it. Each paragraph is devoted to a different sign, Virgo coming first, Leo second, Cancer third, and so on. If you’re not quite sure under which zodiac sign you were born, you will notice the start and end dates of each sign being depicted in brackets next to the name of the corresponding sign. Please also note the following two things: a) If you were born on the cusp between two adjacent zodiac signs (e.g., April 20^th, which would be the end of Aries and the beginning of Taurus), you might find it useful to read both signs and b) you might find it equally useful to read the sign of your Ascendant as well. For example, someone who was born on May 21^st and has Scorpio ascending (like me!) would get more out of reading the signs of Taurus, Gemini and Scorpio.

Mars in Virgo and our Zodiac Sign: Part I

I dedicate this post, as well as the next one, to the way in which we are expected to incorporate the energies of Mars in Virgo on the basis of our zodiac sign. Following the tradition of my blog related to starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, this post will cover Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, whereas the next one will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that Mars entered Virgo on November 11^th 2011 and will remain there for approximately eight months. If, as I suspect, you’re only interested to read about your personal zodiac sign (or the sign of your loves ones), please scroll down until you find it. Each paragraph is devoted to a different sign, Pisces coming first, Aquarius second, Capricorn third, and so on. If you’re not quite sure under which zodiac sign you were born, you will notice the start and end dates of each sign being depicted in brackets next to the name of the corresponding sign. Please also note the following two things: a) If you’re born on the cusp between two adjacent zodiac signs (e.g., April 20^th, which would be the end of Aries and the beginning of Taurus), you might find it useful to read both signs and b) you might find it equally useful to read the sign of your Ascendant as well. For example, someone who was born on May 21^st and has Scorpio ascending (like me!) would get more out of reading the signs of Taurus, Gemini and Scorpio.

Mars in Virgo: Precise Goals and Methodical Actions!

Mars, the planet of action, desire, courage, self-assertion and aggression entered the sign of Virgo a week ago (November 11^th 2011) and will remain there until July 3^rd 2012. Although Mars is a fast-moving planet, which means that it makes a full circle around the Sun in less than two years, it will remain in Virgo for almost eight months, because it will turn retrograde while transiting that sign. Its retrograde period will start on January 24^th 2012 and end on April 13^th 2012.  In view of this unusually long stay of Mars in one sign only, I would like to dedicate this post on how Mars will generally manifest its energies while transiting the sign of Virgo. The following two posts will explain how each zodiac sign will be expected to incorporate these energies. As a foretaste of the analysis that follows, suffice it to say here that Mars in Virgo will encourage us to set precise goals and exhibit methodical action so as to achieve these. In order to see in more detail how Mars will function while transiting Virgo, let us examine what the planet of Mars and the sign of Virgo symbolise in astrology.

November & December 2011 Eclipses and our Zodiac Sign: Part II

This post, just like the previous one, is about the way in which we are expected to incorporate the energies of the eclipses on the basis of our zodiac sign. Following the tradition of my blog related to starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, this post will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that the effects of the eclipses are most strongly felt a month before and after the actual dates of the eclipses, that is, November 25^th for the solar eclipse, and December 10^th for the lunar eclipse.

November & December 2011 Eclipses and our Zodiac Sign: Part I

I dedicate this post, as well as the next one, to the way in which we are expected to incorporate the energies of the eclipses on the basis of our zodiac sign. Following the tradition of my blog related to starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, this post will cover Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, whereas the next one will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that the effects of the eclipses are most strongly felt a month before and after the actual dates of the eclipses, that is, November 25^th for the solar eclipse, and December 10^th for the lunar eclipse.

Eclipse Alert: Solar and Lunar Eclipses in November and December!

November and December are bound to be two very important months this year, because a couple of eclipses are taking place then: a partial solar eclipse on November 25^th, 2011, at 06:21 UT at 2 degrees of Sagittarius, and a total lunar eclipse on December 10^th, 2011, at 14:33 UT at 18 degrees of Gemini. As I have also mentioned in the past, eclipses have always been regarded as bad omens because of their association with disasters and other catastrophic events. What really happens, however, around the time of eclipses is the culmination of events and emotions. A solar eclipse heralds the end of a cycle and the start of another; hence, the association of solar eclipses with important endings and equally important beginnings.

Mercury Retrograde in Leo and our Zodiac Sign: Part II

In my previous post I talked about how each zodiac sign from Pisces through to Libra are expected to incorporate the energies of Mercury retrograde in Leo. Following from that, I will now discuss how the rest of the signs, that is, Virgo through to Aries, are expected to incorporate these energies. I remind you that Mercury turned retrograde on August 3rd and won't go back into direct motion until August 25th. Mercury, though, will remain in the sign of Leo until September 9th, which means that communications and transactions will still have an enthusiastic, playful, honest, and perhaps authoritative feel to them, and will revolve around the same issues as during Mercury’s retrograde period.

Mercury Retrograde in Leo and our Zodiac Sign: Part I

I would like to dedicate this post to the relationship between Mercury retrograde in Leo  and our zodiac sign. In my previous post I explained how this August's Mercury in retrograde may signify impressive delays combined though with unusually creative ideas. Therefore, in this post, as well as in the next one, I will explain how each zodiac sign is expected to incorporate these energies. Following the tradition of my blog related to starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, this post will cover Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, whereas the next one will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that Mercury turns retrograde on August 3rd and won't go back into direct motion until August 25th.

Retrograde Mercury in Leo: Impressive Delays Combined with Unusually Creative Ideas!

Mercury, the planet of communication, intelligence, learning, commerce and short-distance travelling, will turn retrograde on August 3rd and won't go back into direct motion until August 25th. Although Mercury will be in the sign of Virgo once the retrograde motion begins, it will mainly transit the sign of Leo, so my analysis will focus on that sign. As I have also written in the past, the usual reaction of people on hearing that Mercury is turning retrograde involves anxiety, worry or even indignation, because of the expected delays in communications, transportations and commercial transactions, which Mercury in retrograde is renowned for. Although some delays are sure to be expected more frequently during a Mercury retrograde period than during a Mercury direct period, the zodiac sign in which this planet (or any planet for that matter) turns retrograde is of crucial importance. The reason is that the zodiac sign shows us the manner in which planetary energies will be manifested. Given that Mercury will be in retrograde motion primarily in the sign of Leo, it would be a good idea to take a closer look at what this sign symbolises.

July 2011 Solar Eclipse & our Zodiac Sign: Part II

Just like I promised, I dedicate this post to the way in which Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries are expected to incorporate the energies of the upcoming solar eclipse. I remind you that the effects of an eclipse are most strongly felt within a month before and after the actual date of the eclipse, that is, July 1^st 2011. If, as I suspect, you’re only interested to read about your personal zodiac sign (or the sign of your loves ones), please scroll down until you find it. Each paragraph is devoted to a different sign, Virgo coming first, Leo second, Cancer third, and so on. If you’re not quite sure under which zodiac sign you were born, you will notice the start and end dates of each sign being depicted in brackets next to the name of the corresponding sign. Please also note the following two things: a) If you’re born on the cusp between two adjacent zodiac signs (e.g., April 20^th, which would be the end of Aries and the beginning of Taurus), you might find it useful to read both signs and b) you might find it equally useful to read the sign of your Ascendant as well. For example, someone who was born on May 21^st and has Scorpio ascending (like me!) would get more out of reading the signs of Taurus, Gemini and Scorpio.

July 2011 Solar Eclipse & our Zodiac Sign: Part I

In my previous post I discussed what kind of processes the upcoming solar eclipse will reflect, so I would like to dedicate this post, as well as the next one, to the way in which we are expected to incorporate the energies of the eclipse on the basis of our zodiac sign. Following the tradition of my blog related to starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, this post will cover Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, whereas the next one will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that the effects of an eclipse are most strongly felt within a month before and after the actual date of the eclipse, that is, July 1^st 2011.

Solar Eclipse in July: The Greek example!

Recently, in writing about the solar and lunar eclipses that occurred in June, I identified June as a very important month this year (click here to refresh your memory). This is true of July too, because there is another solar eclipse coming up on July 1^st, 2011, at 08:23 UT at 9 degrees of Cancer. As I had also mentioned in the June eclipses post, eclipses have always been feared for being associated with disasters, but what really happens around the time of solar eclipses is the culmination of events. Therefore, a solar eclipse heralds the end of a cycle and the start of another; hence, the association of solar eclipses with important endings and equally important beginnings.  In this post I will examine the astrological meaning of this upcoming eclipse, which takes place in Cancer and is all the more important for activating the Saturn-Pluto-Uranus cardinal T-Square, a very rare configuration. I will analyse the meaning of this configuration using the recent Greek crisis as an example, after first explaining what kind of endings and beginnings the solar eclipse will bring for falling in the emotional sign of Cancer. In my next two posts I will also talk about how each sign is expected to incorporate the energies of this eclipse.

Jupiter in Taurus & our Zodiac Sign: Part II

Following from my previous post, where I discussed how Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra are expected to incorporate the energies of Jupiter in Taurus, this post will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that Jupiter entered Taurus on June 4^th 2011 and will remain there for a whole year. If, as I suspect, you’re only interested to read about your personal zodiac sign (or the sign of your loves ones), please scroll down until you find it. Each paragraph is devoted to a different sign, Virgo coming first, Leo second, Cancer third, and so on. If you’re not quite sure under which zodiac sign you were born, you will notice the start and end dates of each sign being depicted in brackets next to the name of the corresponding sign. Please also note the following two things: a) If you’re born on the cusp between two adjacent zodiac signs (e.g., April 20^th, which would be the end of Aries and the beginning of Taurus), you might find it useful to read both signs and b) you might find it equally useful to read the sign of your Ascendant as well. For example, someone who was born on May 21^st and has Scorpio ascending (like me!) would get more out of reading the signs of Taurus, Gemini and Scorpio.

Jupiter in Taurus & our Zodiac Sign: Part I

Just like I promised, I dedicate this post, as well as the next one, to the way in which we are expected to incorporate the energies of Jupiter in Taurus on the basis of our zodiac sign. Following the tradition of my blog related to starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, this post will cover Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, whereas the next one will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that Jupiter entered Taurus on June 4^th 2011 and will remain there for a whole year.

Jupiter in Taurus: Plenty of Hard Work and Enjoyment!

Jupiter, the planet of luck, expansion, faith and adventure, made its grand entrance in the sign of Taurus four days ago (June 4^th 2011) and will remain there for one year, even during its 4-month retrograde period from late August onwards. Therefore, I would like to dedicate this post on how Jupiter will generally manifest its energies while transitting the sign of Taurus. The following two posts will explain how each zodiac sign will be expected to incorporate these energies. As a foretaste of the analysis that follows, suffice it to say that Jupiter in Taurus will expand our tendencies to work hard for things that will last, on the one hand, and to enjoy material things and comforts, on the other. In order to see in more detail how Jupiter will function while transitting Taurus, let us examine what the planet of Jupiter and the sign of Taurus symbolise in astrology.

Celebrity Profile: Marilyn Monroe, a Gemini Woman

Last Wednesday (June 1^st 2001) Marilyn Monroe would have turned 85 years old if she were still alive, so I would like to provide an astro-psychological portrait of this famous Gemini woman and thus give shape to the second entry of my blog rubric entitled ‘Celebrity Profiles’. Marilyn Monroe was born at 09:30 am on June 1^st, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, USA, and became widely known following her participation in three 1953 films: ‘Niagara’, ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’, and ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’. Mostly famous for the dumb blonde character she impersonated in the majority of her films, she managed to become a celebrity that achieved unprecedented levels of fame, glamour and public adoration, despite her short life, and hence short-lived career. To illustrate, many women in the ‘50s and ‘60s tried to imitate her image, while she still remains one of the most ‘revered’ sex symbols that the big screen ever produced.

June 2011 Eclipses & our Zodiac Sign: Part II

In line with my promise, I dedicate this post to the way in which we are expected to incorporate the energies of the eclipses on the basis of our zodiac sign. Following the tradition of my blog related to starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, this post will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that the effects of the eclipses are most strongly felt within a month before and after the actual dates of the eclipses, that is, June 1^st 2011 for the solar eclipse, and June 15^th 2011 for the lunar eclipse.

June 2011 Eclipses & our Zodiac Sign: Part I

In line with my promise, I dedicate this post, as well as the next one, to the way in which we are expected to incorporate the energies of the eclipses on the basis of our zodiac sign. Following the tradition of my blog related to starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, this post will cover Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, whereas the next one will cover Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus and Aries. I remind you that the effects of the eclipses are most strongly felt within a month before and after the actual dates of the eclipses, that is, June 1^st 2011 for the solar eclipse, and June 15^th 2011 for the lunar eclipse.

Eclipse Alert: Solar and Lunar Eclipses in June!

June is bound to be a very important month this year, because two eclipses are taking place then: a partial solar eclipse on June 1^st, 2011, at 21:16 UT at 11 degrees of Gemini, and a total lunar eclipse on June 15^th, 2011, at 20:13 UT at 24 degrees of Sagittarius. Eclipses have always been regarded as bad omens because of their association with disasters and other catastrophic events. However, eclipses are not always as bad as they are thought to be. So, I thought I should clarify this by writing a few things about the astrological meaning of eclipses and, more specifically, about the meaning of the two upcoming eclipses in the Gemini-Sagittarius axis. In my next two posts I will also explain how each sign will be expected to incorporate the energies of these eclipses.

IMF Chief Strauss-Kahn and Pluto in Capricorn: The End of Capitalism?

Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as long-standing professor and member of the French Socialist Party, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was considered until last Saturday (May 14) the strongest potential opponent of President Nicolas Sarkozy at next year’s presidential elections in France. Who would imagine that this prospect would be destroyed in the course of just one day? Following accusations of attempted rape, sex abuse and forcible touching against a hotel maid, Strauss-Kahn is currently detained in a New York City prison without the right to be bailed out until his trial. The sex scandal has left the whole world reeling, not to mention the repercussions for French politics and the IMF itself. 

     Nevertheless, this is only the latest scandal in a series of financial or sex scandals, where politicians, high authority figures or business corporations have been involved in the last three years. As I will explain further below, these scandals are related to Pluto’s transit through the sign of Capricorn and they could further be harbingers of events that could mark the end of capitalism as we know it…

The Royal Wedding and the UK: A Synastry Analysis

In line with my promise to write a few things about the expected relationship between the natal chart of the UK and that of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, here you have a synastry analysis of the two charts, that is, a consideration of their interrelationships.  I will first examine the relationship between the Suns of the two charts, in order to see whether the British identity and that of the royal couple support each other or not. Following that, I will explain how some important aspects between the two charts might play out in real life. I will mainly talk about conjunctions, that is, those cases where the planet or angle of one chart occupies the same position as a planet or angle in the other chart.

            Let us first talk about the British identity, as revealed by the position of the UK Sun in Capricorn in the 4^th house. The Capricorn Sun indicates that British people identify greatly with issues of hierarchy, authority, organisation, discipline, control, restraint, seriousness, conservatism and tradition.

Celebrity Profile: George Clooney, a Taurean Man

I would like to inaugurate the new rubric of my blog ‘Celebrity Profiles’ by providing an astro-psychological portrait of a very famous Taurean man, who is celebrating his 50^th birthday today, that is, George Clooney. He was born at 02:58 am on May 6^th 1961 in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, and became famous following his participation in the TV series “ER” (Emergency Room). Ever since, he’s taken part in many films, mostly as an actor, but also as a director and producer; some of his most well-known films include “Ocean’s Eleven”, “Good Night and Good Luck”, and “Syriana” for which he was awarded an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His TV and film career aside, George Clooney is renowned for being handsome; in fact, he’s been given the title of “Sexiest Man Alive” twice by People Magazine, once in 1997 and once more in 2006.

Prince William & Kate Middleton: A Fairytale of a Wedding

Given the recent media obsession with Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, I thought I should write about it from an astro-psychological point of view. Similarly to a person’s birth, one can draw a chart for the birth of any event, weddings included. Looking, therefore, at the chart of William and Kate’s wedding, which was ‘born’ in London at 11.00 am on the 29^th of April 2011, one can already see some of the potential qualities of this marriage, as well as of William and Kate as a married couple. The most basic energies in any chart are revealed by the Sun, the Moon, the Ascendant and the Midheaven; it is these four elements around which I will weave my analysis.

Neptune in Pisces in Relation to our Zodiac Sign: Part II

In my previous post I talked about how each zodiac sign, from Pisces through to Libra, are expected to manifest the energies of Neptune in Pisces. Following from that, I will now discuss how the rest of the signs, that is, Virgo through to Aries, are expected to manifest these energies.

Neptune in Pisces in Relation to our Zodiac Sign: Part I

Just like I promised, I dedicate this post, as well as the next one, to the relationship between Neptune in Pisces and our zodiac sign. Following my previous posts where I explained how each zodiac sign was expected to incorporate Mercury’s energies by starting from Pisces and moving clockwise in the zodiac, I thought I should keep up with this and make it a sort of ‘tradition’! I remind you that Neptune will go into retrograde motion from June 2011 until February 2012, during which time this planet will transit Aquarius as well. This means that what I write in the present post and the next one will be mostly felt until the summer and then again from this coming winter onwards.

Neptune in Pisces: Dream BIG!

The entrance of Neptune in Pisces on April 5th marked one of the most important astrological events of this month. This is so, because Neptune moves very slowly: it orbits the Sun in about 164 years, which means that the last time it entered Pisces before April 5th was in April 1847! Neptune’s entrance in Pisces is equally important for the fact that Neptune ‘rules’ Pisces, that is, its energies have a natural affinity with the Piscean archetype. Its retrograde period aside, during which it will move back into Aquarius for approximately eight months (June 2011 – February 2012), Neptune will remain in the sign of Pisces for the next 15 years. Given its very slow orbit around the Sun, Neptune represents processes that are not so readily felt and experienced in our everyday lives. Nevertheless, these processes are real and they colour the background against which our daily lives take place. Therefore, the more aware we are of these processes, the more able we will be to witness what Neptune represents in our everyday lives. This post will focus on the general meaning of Neptune in Pisces, whereas the following two posts will explain how each zodiac sign will be expected to incorporate Neptune’s energies.

The Sun entering Taurus: A Foretaste of Hard Work, Productivity and Enjoyment

The Sun entered the sign of Taurus today, April 20, and will remain there until May 21, so I would like to write a few things about how this energy will manifest in ourselves and in situations we encounter in our everyday lives for the next 30 days or so. I think it is important to write about it, because the Sun is the heart centre of our solar system:

Mercury Retrograde in Aries in Relation to our Zodiac Sign: Part II

In my previous post I talked about how each zodiac sign from Pisces through to Libra are expected to manifest the energies of Mercury retrograde in Aries. Following from that, I will now discuss how the rest of the signs, that is, Virgo through to Aries, are expected to manifest these energies. Although Mercury is soon turning direct, the information that follows is still relevant, because Mercury will remain in the sign of Aries until May 15. 



This means that communications and transactions will still have an urgent, speedy, enthusiastic and competitive feel to them and will revolve around the same issues as during Mercury’s retrograde period. 

Mercury Retrograde in Aries in Relation to our Zodiac Sign: Part I

Just like I promised, I dedicate this post, as well as the next one, to the relationship between Mercury retrograde in Aries and our zodiac sign. Following my previous post where I talked about the possibility of Mercury retrograde in Aries reflecting unusually pioneering ideas, I thought I should talk about how each zodiac sign is expected to incorporate Mercury’s energies by starting from the zodiac sign that usually appears last, that is, Pisces!

Mercury Retrograde in Aries: Delays Combined with Unusually Quick, Enthusiastic and Pioneering Ideas and Conversations

Mercury, the planet of communication, intelligence, learning, commerce and short-distance travelling, has been in retrograde motion in the sign of Aries since March 30, 2011, and will remain retrograde until April 22, 2011, on which day it will turn direct and won’t go back to retrograde motion until next August. The usual reaction of people on hearing that Mercury is turning retrograde involves anxiety, worry or even indignation. 



This is because of the expected delays in communications, transportations and commercial transactions, which Mercury in retrograde is renowned for. Is this reaction justified?

Retrograde Motion

In view of the fact that in my following post I will try to explain what transiting Mercury in retrograde means in relation to our zodiac sign, I thought it would be useful to examine first in a little more detail the concept and symbolism of retrograde motion.

In astronomical terms, retrograde motion doesn’t exist. Retrograde literally means ‘moving backwards’, which of course doesn’t happen in reality: all planets follow the same anti-clockwise motion in their orbits around the Sun, but never for one second do they stop to move backwards, that is, in clockwise motion. So, if retrograde motion doesn’t exist in reality, why do astrologers use it in their interpretations?

Astrological Psychology

In the first post of my blog I would like to discuss the nature of astrological psychology. In doing so, I will focus my discussion on what the exact nature of astrology is and on how astrology can provide much needed insights to psychology. Understanding and defining astrology, however, does not seem to be an easy thing to do. For instance, one might be quick to classify it as a system of divination, along with tarot-reading, palm-reading and coffee-reading; after all, it is common knowledge that more often than not people consult astrologers in order to hear predictions about their future. Nevertheless, one starts to wonder whether divination is all there is to astrology or whether divination should even count as one of the functions of astrology in the first place. In doubting whether astrologers should make predictions or not, I follow James Hillman’s contention that astrology is “a divine art, but not the art of divination” and I examine other possible definitions of astrology by comparing it first to science and then to mythology, philosophy, religion, and, finally, psychology.