Hello Everyone,
Here in Miami, I am preparing for Hurricane Ike, and hoping that all of my preparations are in vain! When Hurricane Wilma - a much smaller storm - came through a few summers ago, I had an oak tree on my roof and I lost power for 17 days… and I felt lucky! But right now as I hear the load Crack! of my neighbor’s hammer on plywood and just in case I lose electricity for an extended period, I want to make sure I get this week’s update out before I return to my chores… I’d like to acknowledge and thank my amazing husband Paul, who, by the way, has a stellium of 5 planets in Virgo with Cancer rising, for spending his day alone in the car and in line buying food, water, gas, propane, chlorine, dog food, and wine (well be needing it!) so that I can have the time to write to you.
Many of us here in South Florida are stocking up, making special preparation, and going over “to do” lists with a fine toothed comb. This is a very Saturn in Virgo activity. Making lists and plans, going over schedules and routes, and making sure no detail has been overlooked are the hallmarks of Saturn’s demand for us for the past year and forward through July 2010. The most recent new Moon in Virgo has made it clear where our routines and schedules, and our daily rituals, need to be re-examined. Virgo energy is mutable, which means it adapts as necessary to the occasion. Saturn always wants us to do the right thing, to make sure that we complete our lessons. The lesson of Saturn in Virgo is to fix the daily, habitual, and repetitive things we do that do not support our goals. Saturn only wants us to be happy and productive, but he is a stern schoolmaster. Despite the fact that he wants what is best for us, his lessons can be hard. Some of you are having a difficult time with this lesson, and perhaps you need some tutoring. You are in luck this week!
On Monday, Jupiter will end his retrograde motion through Capricorn and finally go direct! For some us, this will be just the push we need to achieve (finally!) some forward momentum with the changes we need to make. Retrograde motion in a planet signals a time of slowed response and introspection, but once a retrograde planet stations and goes direct, its energy becomes extroverted and we experience this shift as a barrier being removed from our paths. Simultaneously, Jupiter will also trine Saturn! This is big news! Jupiter is a protective and expansive planet and in the sign of Capricorn, he is promoting growth, expansion, and security in the structures and support mechanisms of our lives. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, so the influence of Jupiter upon our fix-it handyman specialist Saturn in Virgo will be to bring in new ideas on how to get things fixed so that our daily grind works for us by supporting us rather than wearing us down.
To illustrate this influence, let me share one of my own recent experiences. I am a good cook, but I have lost my appreciation for cooking. I can remember feelings of pride and pleasure in the kitchen as I prepared meals to share with my friends and loved ones. I felt like I was sharing a special part of me when I cooked for my friends. Cooking for me was a way to express my love of the people for whom I cooked. Over the years, I began to see cooking as a chore, a mundane one at that. The hours of standing on tile floors, chopping, slicing, stirring, and braising were dreary and demanded too much of my time. Not only did I spend hours cooking, but I had to spend just as much time cleaning up! How could I do the other things I wanted to do that evening if I needed 3 hours to cook, eat, and clean up the mess? Where did my appreciation of the art and ritual of cooking go? One day a few weeks ago, I heard an interview on NPR with a woman (I missed her intro on the program) who commented on how sad she thought it was that people complained about cooking. Her view was that since so many people were without food in the world, we should embrace the ability to cook as a gift: a daily celebration of the abundance and good fortune we were receiving that was NOT a common experience for many, many people in the world. I bowed my head in shame when I heard her speak, because I knew she was right. I am blessed with the ability to create interesting and tasty meals for myself, my husband, and our friends. Would I feel as if creating delicious, wholesome meals was a BURDEN if I found myself….without power or food for 17 days after a major hurricane?
Sometimes we take things for granted because we get used to them. Jupiter in Capricorn, once it goes direct, will help us to find the joy in the everyday structure of our lives - the things we are used to and dont apprecaite any more. Capricorn energy is earthy, as is Virgo energy. Nothing is glamorous about the ways their energies are manifested in the world. No one would call appreciating the process of creating the daily meal glamorous, but glamour doesnt make our lives better, only shinier. Our lives are better when we understand how to appreciate the true and lasting gifts we have, and how to honor them daily rather than to take them for granted, or worse, expect them! Imagine if we could experience our everyday routine as a moving meditation on the abundance and joy of life? Â Brushing our teeth would be a celebration of the gift of health. Watering our gardens and walking our dogs would become celebrations of our wondrous connection with Nature. Taking the kids to school, picking them up, taking them soccer practice, ballet class, and play dates would all be a way for us to give thanks for the miracle of creation and the gift of participating in it.
Jupiter can get a little carried away with himself and, sometimes, optimism carried to an extreme seems silly to us, but how do you think your life could change if you could find a little joy and appreciation for the beauty of your daily routine. Lets face it, we live one day at a time. We create the beauty in our lives one day at time, in the grocery store or running errands, or in the kitchen while we prepare dinner. If we only appreciate making the Thanksgiving meal, and not the other 364 dinners of the year, we arent finding much joy.
While Jupiter is bringing optimism and a good attitude to fix-it minded Saturn, Mercury in Libra darts in to make a square to Jupiter! Mercury represents ideas and communications. No action occurs until Mercury has had his say, so we must always pay attention to his message. Squaring Jupiter will bring lots of new and exciting ideas or thoughts into our heads. Perhaps others will have wondrous offers or great new plans to share. Optimism is contagious! If we have been stuck, all of this exciting new energy and communication will seem like Mardi Gras after Lent. Enjoy the excitement and embrace the optimism, but remember that Jupiter can get carried away. Jupiter rarely worries abuot the details. Despite the freshness of these new ideas, remember that Saturn in Virgo demands practicality, and Jupiter in earthy Capricorn knows that somethings wont work, even if it is fun to think about them! Brainstorm to your hearts’ content, but if we want the dream to be a reality, we must practical. As every woman knows (and lots of men, too!) the most glamorous pair of shoes isnt always the best choice for an evening of dancing.
Mercury in Libra wants us to balance the inspirations we receive through contact with Jupiter with the earthy and practical attitudes of Capricorn and Virgo. Expand your support systems and support structures with an eye for improving your daily experience. If you were happier by 30% everyday, how happy would you be overall? My guess is much more than 30%!
One final word of advice: Mercury has moved into his shadow and is preparing to go retrograde from 22 - 7 degrees of Libra from Sept 24 through Oct 15. He will finally clear his shadow on Oct 31. Mercury retrograde is famous for misunderstandings, unclear communications and difficulties with routines or travel plans. This Mercury retrograde will be a reality check designed to test how practically we applied the inspirations we received from the Mercury square Jupiter event of Sept 8. Never make large purchases, sign contracts, or make decisions you cant revisit during Mercury retrograde. More on this topic later in the month!
Enjoy your week!
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