Just a Little "Intensity Heads Up"

It's apparent that things are just plain too intense on Planet Earth at the moment, but the tension and edge don't appear to let up all that much for the next six weeks.

We're closing in on the seventh and final square between Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn, exact March 16. This is the first square of the series where both planets are moving direct, and the velocity with which things are moving and changing could make one's head spin.

We're blowing some major Piscean-era karma - personal and/or collective - out of the way here, and it may be a bit of a bumpy ride. We're advancing beyond old siren songs, mirages, illusions, disappointments, and old-era traps, and only Uranus and Pluto moving full speed direct into this final square in the cardinal signs could provide the energy and catalytic forward-ho we need to get this job done.

These themes are carried right through March equinox and the 29-degree Pisces New Moon total solar eclipse on March 20 and into the following 28-day lunar cycle. Pace yourselves.

Expect particular turbulence between March 4 and March 11, with a Virgo Full Moon at 14 degrees on March 5.

Relationship-related planets Venus and Mars are breaking new trail in feisty, hot-blooded Aries. We've gotten a taste of the fresh relational territory within our grasp, and nothing can stand in our way now but ourselves.

Jupiter Rx in Leo forms a fiery trine to Uranus in Aries on March 3 (6:25 a.m. CST), and we are creating the new forms as we go. 

Love planet Venus in Aries will trine Jupiter Rx in Leo on March 4 before forming a conjunction to Uranus in Aries and a square to Pluto in Capricorn later that day. We're being propelled beyond the draining Piscean-era relational constructs and dynamics and re-positioned in relationships of all kinds for new-era success. But we have to be willing to fight for it. We have to be willing to settle for nothing less. We have to channel the warrior spirit here and stand up for ourselves in relation to others whenever necessary. Any turbulence experienced around the time of these Venus aspects is related to this process of endings and beginnings all rolled up in one. Stand back from any relational turbulence, allow the detritus to be spun off, and don't take it personally. Just keep moving toward the relationship dynamics you wish to experience.

Action and goal-related planet Mars follows Venus into the same aspects on March 10/11. Mars in Aries will trine Jupiter Rx in Leo early on March 10 (12:04 a.m.), providing a burst of energy and motion. If you're pissed off, use that anger as fuel to move you out of the same old crappy dynamics, beyond their reach.

Mars will then rub up against the Uranus-Pluto square, forming a conjunction to Uranus and a square to Pluto on March 11, and this could create some friction. Changes in direction, desires, and goals can be expected around this time.

Communication planet Mercury leaves its retrograde shadow at 17 degrees Aquarius on March 3, as well. Expect the messages of the Mercury retrograde period to become clearer now. Final bits of information and perspective about the way forward from here are coming together during the first days of March.

The extended stay of Mercury in Aquarius, disposited by Uranus in Aries, has been a bit intense. Mercury will move into the slippery sign of its detriment, Pisces, on March 12 (9:52 p.m.), and I have a feeling that even the confusion and brain fog associated with Mercury in Pisces may be welcome as a reprieve from highly-cerebral Aquarius. Mercury in Pisces certainly softens the edges a bit, if nothing else.

With Saturn stationing retrograde in Sagittarius, remember: Breathe. Meditate. Be philosophical about it all. Allow the mystery and magic of the big picture to take over. Step aside. Sit it out. Allow the intensity and hub-bub to pass you by whenever necessary. There is wisdom in slowing down and in allowing nature and the universe to take care of themselves.

Avoiding the Seven-Year Itch at Willow's Web Astrology Blog

Today is the seven-year anniversary of the first Willow's Web Astrology blog post, which hit the astro blogosphere with a bang on February 25, 2008.

I was living in oil-rich, gentrified-and-cleansed Calgary, Alberta at the time, working at a magical import art store called Art of My Heart. Art of My Heart was, unfortunately, bulldozed over by the Pluto in Capricorn steamroller in early 2009. And then I got poisoned by Cipro. But for a tiny window of time there during which WWA blog was spawned, things were pretty A-OK in Willow's world!

Now I'm back where I came from, living in the rural area where I grew up. I'm still in oil country (with the oil flares to prove it! sigh), but I'm also right where I need to be to continue reporting on the critical (and buried) issues of the times. I live in the primary uranium-producing province in all of North America. I'm in the middle of the Bakken oilfield. I'm surrounded by chemical-intensive genetically modified agriculture (but also plenty of great gardeners and greenhouse growers, as well). The politics here run right-wing conservative and Old Boys' Club. The relationships run to the "traditional gender roles/family units that don't really work for anyone at this point." There's plenty of work to do, plenty of work to do.

So my baby is seven years old today, no longer a baby at all.

Wow, time sure flies when humanity is on the brink of annihilation, doesn't it?

Thank-you for your support of Willow's Web Astrology over the years via comments, emails, and patronages. If I didn't know that these energy-intensive articles were hitting the mark, I doubt I would have had the confidence to continue writing and pouring my heart and soul into them. So thank-you for letting me know.

To the whiners, the complainers, and the overly-entitled sorts who think they have a say in what goes on here, as always, I thumb my nose in your general direction and will continue to do so as long as this blog is operational. *eye bat, eye bat*

I will continue to write some content that is free for the general public and some that is available in its entirety only to patrons and paying customers. There will likely be fewer articles than in the past, but the articles that do appear will be substantial, as usual.

I don't ask anyone else to work for free, so please don't ask or expect me to. Astrological analysis and writing are work. They're hard work. And I deserve fair and basic compensation for the work that I do and for the assistance and guidance I provide in these times.

If you don't believe I deserve fair and basic compensation for the work that I do, you are no friend to Willow's Web Astrology, and I would ask that you hitch your wagon to another astrologer instead. There are plenty out there.

I have to say, I've perused the Solar Return chart for the blog for this year, and I like it. I like it a lot. There will be some intense challenges, of course, but lots of good stuff going on, too. Sun conjunct Neptune in Pisces. Venus-Mars in Aries trine Saturn in Sagittarius. Moon in Gemini trine Mercury in Aquarius trine the North Node in Libra. Ceres and Pluto bringing their hardcore power together with a conjunction in Capricorn.

All in all, this baby has the fire to go another year for sure and maybe even another seven, who knows?

(We really can't plan too far ahead with Fukushima spewing into its 4th year, now, can we?)

This blog has been a lifesaver for me over these past seven years - not least of which because it has provided me a way to survive financially through utter Big Pharma-induced health devastation. This blog has allowed me to improve and utilize my skills, and it has brought me into contact with like-minded people from all around the globe, something I very, very rarely find in my day-to-day life. For that, I am forever grateful.

Happy Seventh Birthday, Willow's Web Astrology blog! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. Here's to many more to come.

Saturn Retrograde Sets its Steely Gaze on Late Scorpio: the Final Resolution of Old Heartbreaks, Hurts, and Unfinished Business

The planet of karmic challenges, Saturn, is currently slowing to station retrograde in Sagittarius, and the squeeze is on during the last days of February and first three weeks of March.

Saturn will station at 4 degrees Sagittarius on March 14 (9:02 a.m. CST) for a retrograde period that lasts until August 2, 2015.

With Saturn stationing retrograde, we may experience increased feelings of frustration or restriction. Our forward progress, previously inspiring to us, may now feel stymied or slowed. Our responsibilities may be weighing heavily upon us, and our fears could be grinding at us a little. We may feel just plain tired and old. We may experience some setbacks, being pulled back into territory we thought we had already progressed beyond, and this can be demoralizing and depressing. The expansion we were working toward is not quite here yet.

These effects can be expected - off and on - from late February through the first three weeks of March.

The Saturn retrograde also occurs during the seventh and final exact square between Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn (March 16 at 8:54 p.m.). This adds to the intensity, potentially increasing the fear/anxiety/frustration/arghhhhh of the Saturn station.


This is an excerpt from the article, "Saturn Retrograde Sets its Steely Gaze on Late Scorpio: the Final Resolution of Old Heartbreaks, Hurts, and Unfinished Business." It is available in its entirety to Willow's Web Astrology patrons, or it can be purchased for $6.50 by PayPal or email money transfer.

Please note: I send these articles out myself, so there may be a short delay before you receive your article. This is especially the case over a weekend. Sorry for any inconvenience. 

"Pisces For the Aquarian Era" and More Post-Pisces Clearance on the Love Front

 Pisces Season. Sleepy. Shh.

Photo: Willow

We are now moving into a 29-degree Aquarius New Moon on February 18 (5:47 p.m. CST) - the bookend New Moon to the zero-degree Aquarius New Moon we experienced January 20.

New Moons indicate new cycles opening and something fresh about to unfold, especially related to emotions and emotional patterns. With bookend New Moons in Aquarius, we are developing and securing an emotional anchor that will carry us through the turbulence and into the new astrological era.

Now, according to my data, this February 18 New Moon occurs on the very last breath of Aquarius, at the very last possible moment of the sign. Other people are calling this a zero-degree Pisces New Moon.

To me, it doesn't really matter all that much. We are in a major "change of eras" transition and a major clearing of the emotional slate as we move through the first months of 2015. It's a little messy, a little confusing, but a lot exhilarating. And it likely isn't necessary to quibble over the details.

What we can be sure of is that this New Moon keeps those "change of era" themes rolling.

From now through the 29-degree Aquarius New Moon, both relationship-related planets, Venus and Mars, are traveling through oh-so-karmic late Pisces. It requires nothing less than Uranian dynamite charges to break up and change the dynamics and patterns held here. Lucky for us, Uranus is in very strong and influential position at the moment. You can read more about the effects of the strong Uranus energy during the first months of 2015 in this post: "Powerfully-Positioned Uranus in Aries Leads the Charge Through Aquarius Season."

As we move into Pisces season 2015 (February 18 - March 20), we're making the final transition into a new expression for the sign of Pisces - Pisces for the astrological Aquarian era. This is true for all 12 of the zodiac signs. The way we express them in the new era is different, and we are tasked with experimenting and figuring out what will be successful in every passing moment. Challenging!

But Pisces may just be the trickiest sign to transition, caught as it is so often in the attachment to old-era love ideals, dreams, and illusions. The cycles of bliss then torment, hope then despair. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat.

Another "Valentine's Day for the Aquarian Age" Piece From the Vault

As an addition to the previous post on celebrating the love for our friends this Valentine's Day, you can listen to me and Matt Savinar bantering away about love and relationship, Aquarian era-style, on his radio show at the link below. This show was originally aired in February 2013:

Willow and Matt Savinar on the North Bay Astrology Show

 

I'm grateful to call Matt Savinar a friend and colleague, and I'm grateful for all the wonderful, whip-smart people I've come into contact with via this blog over the years. Finding you like-minded souls has helped keep me sane through these wild-ass times on Planet Earth. 

Please note that this show was done under Jupiter in Gemini square Neptune in Pisces, so it is admittedly a little meander-y. If you like me and Matt as astrologers, you might think it's cool. If you don't like me and Matt as astrologers, why are you even reading this? heh

Communication planet Mercury is currently stationing and will go direct at 1 degree Aquarius on February 11 (8:57 a.m. CST). This Mercury retrograde has been a little tough on the Scorp brain, so I'm just riding it out. Things will be rolling again soon, though, and I'm currently working on a juicy article that will be presented a little later.

Happy Juno Day, comrades! With Venus and Mars in Pisces, I hope the "new Pisces" love is flowing to you and through you.

Celebrating the Love for Our Friends this Valentine's Day

In honour of Mercury retrograde in Aquarius (and spurred by a suggestion from a treasured and timely colleague), I've updated an older post on Valentine's Day for the astrological Aquarian era. The themes still apply as we continue to adapt relationship rules and conventions for weird and wild Aquarius:

The Piscean era is over - if we choose to make it so. And the last layers of wounding Piscean-era thinking, particularly around love and relationship, are set to go now.

We can have the best of Pisces in relationship - the full and spiritual love, the delightful intermingling of auras, the compassion, the magic, the bliss, the romance, the sweetness. But we don't have to turn relationships into one-dimensional cardboard cut-outs by insisting in juvenile fashion that they be only those things. Or even primarily those things.

Pisces has a place in love and relationship in the astrological Aquarian era. A big place. But it isn't the only place, as it has been. It doesn't colour the ideals as heavily. It isn't the version of love placed atop a pedestal to worship.

Love and relationships are different in the astrological Aquarian era. That's all there is to it.

Under this umbrella, we're complete as we are. Self-contained. We don't need anyone to prop us up, to complete us, to add what we lack. That doesn't mean we don't need people or that we don't need love. It means that we aren't incomplete without it. We aren't damaged beyond all recovery by not having a personal love relationship.

We come together as two (or more) equal and self-contained units in Aquarius. We create the win-win by being ultra fabulous and skilled in what we bring to the partnership and by partnering with others who bring ultra fabulous skills to the table.

We don't fully immerse ourselves in the energetic forcefield of another. We don't lose ourselves or allow another to be lost in us. We don't join with people purely for healing purposes. We stand on our own and accept the healing that comes to us through love and relationship.

We don't pin expectations on anyone to fulfill our pink-tinged dreams of Hollywood romance and Happily Ever After. We make the Happily Ever After ourselves. We build it together one step at a time. And some of those steps are pretty fucking rough. Don't let that convince you that your relationships are anything less than the New Age's "twin flame" variety.

The personal relationship planets (Venus and Mars) are in dreamy Pisces this Valentine's Day with the Sun and Mercury in clear-minded Aquarius, and the transition of the eras is being translated through love, sex, desire, companionship, relationship, and friendship.

This Valentine's Day is a good time to fall fully and deeply in love with your friends, as well as with your lovers/mates.

Aquarius is a sign relating to friends, community, and like-minded individuals. Part of the shift into Aquarian-era relationship constructs involves the friend relationship coming into its full status. It has been relegated to second best for far too long. Friends have taken a lot of shit playing second fiddle to the ideal of the Glorious and Perfect Love Relationship, and this has been very painful at times.

Under the astrological Aquarian-era umbrella, our friendships are love relationships. We're in love with our friends.

Under Aquarian-era relationship rules, we can hold a space open, a new Aquarian space, for the high privilege of and deep gratitude for real friendship. Friendship can come into its full value.

And in the Age of Aquarius, we are not too weird for love. We are not too weird for relationships. There is a match for anyone who needs love.

As we exit the sometimes-torturous final years of the astrological Piscean era, we are not too damaged for love, either. We are not too damaged to love. There are people who are traumatized by the same things that traumatize us. They'll understand. They'll love you for all you've been through, just as you'll love them for it.

The conjunctions of relationship planets Venus and Mars to wounded healer Chiron in Pisces (Mars January 31; Venus February 7) remind us that we are all pretty much damaged by the way things are. We've been damaged by it, and we continue to be damaged by it. The astrological Aquarian era just democratizes the damage. We're egalitarian comrades, like it or not, in our inability to remain fully unscathed - physically, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, psychically, spiritually - by the current ways of doing things on this planet.

Honouring the love, companionship, and sanity that friends provide us (including friends who are lovers) is a beautiful way to spend this Valentine's Day.

Friendship is hot. Our friends are super cool hotties. This Valentine's Day, appreciate all the depth and the nuances of friend love.

Happy Valentine's Day, friends, from Willow's Web Astrology!