Thank you for being here–present with these words. I’ve made my first YouTube video, where I talk through several points about cosmology, cosmograms, Christ consciousness, and the present autumn equinox. It took me several tries with uploading this video, so I hope you can view it and gain something from it.
For this equinox, I wanted to focus on tracing–questioning which vines are we following and are they fruitful for our journey and constant transformation? As just the sun rises and falls around the cosmogram, Libra season is a time to graph the fall of the Ego into the eternal depths of the Other/the Spirit. I’ve pulled a meditative tarot draw while reflecting on this equinox (This is from the Hoodoo Tarot Deck):
In the cards, the main energy is the ten of baskets, a happy grill master and his family including dandelion-infused moonshine. The dandelion speaks of maintaining Joy through the upkeep of self-reflection. Again, it’s important to examine the sun (our ego) in its fallen state–even if you’re only looking at the reflection. Stability and the laying down of burdens come through reflection. The two of baskets here speaks of gaps of faith, or connections of that past that didn’t serve us, and may still be affecting us. The eight of sticks pictures a Hoodoo woman peeling lightning struck wood from a tree–now is the time for illumination, an electric peek into our own darkness, a trailing of the vines and entanglements that we may have normalized. A recognition of power. The ace of sticks represents an Indian Mound –consciousness over matter–the coming together of our true source. Our looking into the depths of ourselves, tracing the vines of our connection, flourishes the growth we need during the Now.
Leo’s energy has always been challenging for me to articulate because I could never really grasp what it is. Like it’s polarity Aquarius, Leo is very vast, far-reaching, spilling across multiple arenas and boundaries. Leo is akin to the chest, and the heart that circulates blood vitally and repetitiously. After Cancer season has cracked the shells of our chests, Leo is the exposed heart, beating to a lively rhythm.
People often mistake Leo’s engagement with power as cockiness or self-centered, but Leo holds reservoirs of power (power of self as it begins to relate to the other), and Leo also manages the ways power should be displayed. What often seems like superficiality is Leo deciding how they should most efficiently display their power to the outside world, while being conscious of how to show their power in the most efficient, kind manner as possible. Leo rules the 5th house, the area of big hearted, sunshine, children, liking. The 5th is the first articulation away from the 4th house, which is the ancestral root of the chart. In a sense, this is the space where children and ancestors connect, and this rush of power from the ancestral realm begins to be articulated and circulated effectively through next generations. All this occurs in the Leo-ruled 5th house.
But, as for me and my house(s)! Leo serves as the 12th house ruler. Maybe that’s why it’s always been challenging for me to grasp what Leo energy is, because the 12th is the space of subconscious, intuition, dreams, secrets, what Susan Miller references to as “the self-undoing.” I can only speak on this present astrological current through my own understanding of Leo, especially since Leo is my 12th house ruler.
So, during this self-deconstructing season that is Leo, I’ve learned that power is not meant to be guarded. It’s meant to be activated. It’s easy to interpret Leo energy as guarding power and shaping discourse around power in a way that only benefits their Self. Remember that the Leo-ruled 5th is fresh from the ancestral soils of the chart, so Leo is really the articulation of the Self through the Others who have come before me. Once we stop conflating guarding power with activating it, we realize power strives toward unity, a true balance of the Self and the Ones who have come before us, the Ones around us: a literal circulatory eco-system of beings.
Leading with the heart space, we must have conversations about power, how can we all bask in sunlight, without shading the lights of others but also being honest about what makes us feel empowered.
For the readers of this post, I pulled a Card:
Corona Borealis depicts the crown Dionysus gave Ariadne on their wedding day. It represents triumph after sacrifice and new beginnings. Being willing to learning about sacrifice is the beginning of navigating how to use your power. Whatever “new” thing that comes in your life next, lead with your heart space, be willing to be open and honest about how power should be regulated around you. Despite brokenness and heart matters, love finds healing, but you can’t guard your power: there has to be a way for healing to come in.
Approaching astrology through an atmospheric engagement leads to a better understanding of how the heavenly bodies influence present life. As mentioned in earlier blogs, if we can understand how the moon affects human emotion and the sun has an effect on our skin and mood, it’s not an entirely huge step to consider how other cosmic bodies affect our physical existence. Since we are planetary beings existing in multitudes of atmospheric dimensions, astrology, as I see it, is a way to understand and question our existence in these atmospheres.
Summer turns to fall: another view over the forest from the eddy-covariance tower. Credit: Chris Vogel
Here are three major astronomical relations as of today (Saturday, May 4), and what these relations mean astrologically:
Uranus semi-square Neptune
Uranus in Taurus and Neptune in Pisces are currently 45° apart. This distance creates tension between the energetic forces of the two planets. Semi-squares are minor aspects in astrology; but when I think about the pointedness of a 45° angle, I consider the point to be stronger, more persistent and directive than regular 90° squares. Semi-squares are agitations that force us to change our actions so tension can be removed. Astrologically, we should pay attention to the ways in which we engage with food, and think about any dreams we have had with food or intaking things; the energy of Taurus situated in Uranus brings attention to the ways we consume from the Earth and how Earth affects our bodies. Food brings particular energies to the body, so it is important to know how food affects emotional and energetic patterns. However, Neptune brings a bit a restlessness to our sense of stability; a feeling of drifting in a sea of our desires. Whatever the way we move about the earth and plan our steps should not be “impractical”– skipping steps in the process makes us miss out on critical information and resources when building the foundation that leads to our greatest dreams and manifestations. The energy of Taurus here teaches us that much creativity, beauty, and passion is experienced in the process, in steps, through understanding the foundation of progression. A stable relationship with the divine and the environment around us will lead us to our greatest dreams manifested.
Image: NASA
Saturn opposite North Node
When planets are 180° from each other, they exist in polarity, a contradictory tension producing unequal physical effects in the atmosphere. So, this relation presents a type of hopelessness in the directions we should take in responsibility. This oppositional effect combined with Neptune’s influence mentioned above creates an intensified feeling of placelessness. Since Saturn stationed retrograde on April 29th, the recalculating energies of retrogrades help us understand that we have the strength and emotional depth to go through every challenge we face. Ultimately, the North Node connection brings a sense of direction when overcoming our obstacles. And even though the North Node is opposite Saturn, this relation reminds us that we will not always be in the position we are currently in; follow that hope.
New Moon in Taurus
Over the next two days, the new moon in Taurus brings attention to the things that remind us of a different kind of sensuality. As the moon transits over the sun, we experience a sensuality deeply connected to the vessels and the vibrations of the Earth. An inner sense that holds our hopes as well as our open wounds, a place of full body and spirit exposure. It is through embracing the fullness of sensuality that healing and oneness with self come and stay. Allowing healing to stay is an important theme of this new moon; because sometimes we start the work, but we don’t tend to the roots for the work to stay. Staying power is key.
This is my last time talking about my Saturn’s return, I promise. But, now that it has officially passed on by my natal Saturn’s spot, and since it’s Capricorn season anyway, a word about its ruler Saturn would benefit us all right now.
Jon MacNair “The Sea Goat (Capricorn)”‘ India ink and watercolor on paper; 6.5″ x 6.5″; 2011
Capricorn has several strongholds in the heavens as we transitioned into the new year. Mostly potent is the conjunction of the Sun and Saturn both at 11 degrees Capricorn. Usually this transit is difficult on the person’s natal chart, creating issues with health, vitality, and the self. But with this transiting Sun/Saturn conjunction, the themes of health and stability are internalized as a motivating force to help us expand within our bodies.
This is one of the lasting lessons Saturn has taught me during my Saturn’s Return and as I have mentioned several times in other posts: the planet’s effect is material. Period. Some of the choices I made during my Saturn’s Return had a very physical effect on my body. Saturn represents discipline, authority, the fears one must overcome, but also it is where we feel most inadequate. It rules over time – represented by the Greek god of time, Cronus means time- and is called the lord of Karma. Saturn’s lessons are dense and are embedded in cycles of time. It has the power to reward like no other planet. If a person doesn’t get the lesson or if they don’t continuously do a thing to its completion, Saturn brings up the material repercussions until the thing is complete (I know this for a #FACT).
It’s interesting because, astronomically, Saturn has the lowest density of all the major planets. Saturn would float in water if placed in a large enough body of water. Saturn has a very active atmosphere with strong storms, with super-fast winds and a speedy rotation. This reminds me of Ezekiel 37:9, when Ezekiel asked God if dry bones could live again: “Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” The bones (represented by Capricorn’s longevity and Saturn’s materiality) can have new life if Ezekiel prophesies to bones by calling the wind from all 4 directions. In a way, Saturn allows you to weather through the storm to reach new levels of life. Saturn is not only about restriction, but it’s about what can give you the best life, what can make dry bones live again. It is about trusting in the present, material moment instead of fading into the anxious-driven worries of tomorrow.
New Year/Capricorn Season Words:
I think new year’s resolutions are a little…misplaced. I do understand that some people want to believe that time shifts inherently contain the motivations that encourage particular actions, but I think the cycles of the planets have more to do with internal motivations. And, I think one’s birthday is the only “new year” that matters. BUT here is a word for each rising sign to get you through the Capricorn hump that is the new year (check your rising sign):
Aries: the ways in which you communicate needs more optimism, more spirit, more depth; it’s a good time to venture out into the world and establish the things you’ve been dying to try
Taurus: there is a tender balance between knowledge and ethics that you need to consider in matters of love; spend time getting to know your deeper needs
Gemini: devoting yourself to raw creativity is exactly what you and others need right now; your creative vision will aid you in learning the lessons of love and self-sacrifice you need to move forward
Cancer: Cancer, it’s a timely moment to reinvent yourself; burn in your purpose, outside of your comfortable shell, and know that this needed recreation takes daily (even minute by minute) work
Leo: Go ahead and get deep in your emotions, feel the interior parts of your secrets; then you will understand the cycles you’re going through a little better
Virgo: Play and healing are inseparable, Virgo, especially in your private life; you must learn that healing is whimsical and liberated from the rules of this earthy realm
Libra: Subtle observations lead to opportune timing, Libra; and we know how important doing things at the right time is for you. There may be changes in your relationship life, and listening is the best way to prepare for and endure these changes.
Scorpio: There is a more relaxed mindset awaiting you, Scorpio once your vigilance comes from a place of wisdom and freedom, not restriction and distrust
Sagittarius: There are some things that may not be as obvious to you when it comes to your love and your emotions; use discernment more, and try not to be all over the place (you know what I mean…)
Capricorn: Take all the energy from the hardship and struggles you’ve endured and blast it back into yourself this season
Aquarius: Don’t worry so much about the public eye (opinion) or keeping up with appearances (the way you move in public); your vision is really the most important thing for you to focus on right now
Pisces: Burdens, baggage, self-oppression are all really illusions; once you can articulate what you want to do with your life, your spirit guides are ready to make that a reality
If you want a reading about the personal transits in your life right now for the new year, let me direct you to this link here. (On Sale)
Thank you for reading! Happy New Year (a 3 year in numerology)!
In the midst of my (long and recursive) Saturn’s return and my Venus return, I write from a place of deep reflection. I mentioned that I would revisit some points that I’m learning as I go through my Saturn’s return, but Venus’ current retrograde (in Scorpio, so I’m also experiencing a Venus return) has brought up so many things, I feel like I can’t talk about Saturn without including Venus.
In Western astrology, a planet’s return to the place it was when we were born, is important to think about. Because all planets in our solar system revolve in cycles, the circulation of these cosmic bodies causes them to affect us more powerfully when it returns to the exact place it was during our birth. Planets are essentially the embodiment of the environmental atmosphere in which we were born in, and furthermore, we are the embodiment of all cosmic vibrations in the environment during our birth. We engage with our everyday environment in a very physical way, and likewise, the presence and essence of all planets affect us in a very physical way. I want to highlight the materiality of the heavenly bodies; so every material body in our cosmos has some kind of influence on us (we are after all planetary bodies). Just as the sun and moon affects our skin and emotions, a more holistic view of this cosmic effect would include other cosmic bodies and the importance of all astral alignment.
This Saturn return is teaching me the quiet density that Saturn embodies. It is a very physical representation of dense cycles, of the layers of stone, dirt, and soul. Saturn rules the bones, especially the large ones, these are here way after your death. Long lasting, materialistic, dense with time, Saturn embodies the wisdom of past and current life’s experiences, at its very essence. This is why Saturn’s present position in Capricorn is highlighting the need for restructuring the basic elements of life. At a deeper, long lasting, structural level, Saturn signifies the creation of a sturdier system that can hold us better, and longer, with more grounding clarity.
Artwork by Margaret Burroughs, Black Venus, Made of Linoleum cut on imitation Japan paper
This Venus retrograde has taught me the value of money and worth. I see Venus as the giver of worth, and the systems of pleasure and pain we connect with worth. Whatever we give worth to, we value, we lust for, we monetize, we memorialize, we embody. Venus reflects the passion of what we make matter. But most importantly, it represents the urge and guided intention that we use to turn our immaterial (thought) desires into a material (present) reality. So, here is where Venus and Saturn are meeting in my view, they are both centering material. Saturn, in a long-lasting, cyclic way, and Venus in an intangible yet desire-into-matter way.
Right now, Saturn and Venus are in a sextile, about 60 degrees apart. This transit may make us super aware of worth, value, love, and the foundational relationship between these things. Venus retrograde gives us the opportunity to rethink and restructure patterns of communal connection and self-love, along with our value systems that shape those patterns. We should check the systems of love and worth that create our foundation, make it sturdy. While Venus is in retrograde and sextile with Saturn, all our companionships (with the other and with the self) must be tried. They must be fortified, questioned, reconfigured, or disposed of if needed. This re-examination and re-securing (and primarily questioning the systems/people/things that continuously show up in our lives) will give us a great awareness of the things we need to do in order for the soul to grow and for unproductive practices of valuing to end.
The planets are alive. Not necessarily alive in the way that we think about breathing and being on this earthly realm. But alive as in beings that matter, that hold space, and vibrate in a way that affects other beings.
Recently, I’ve researched the Gaia theory, founded by scientist James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis. This theory states that the Earth is basically a living organism, and this has been proven through several test and facts, like Earth’s ability to self-regulate its temperature and chemical composition so that life can happen and sustain itself. Life creates the environment and at the same time, the environment creates life. The Earth is alive because life and the environments that life dwells in, cooperatively exist together, in all of its harmonies, and disharmonies, and regulatory circuits.
There are several oppositional points to the idea that the Earth is alive (some being since the Earth can’t reproduce, it isn’t an organism… reproduction shouldn’t be the indicator of life). If you believe that the Earth is dead or dying, and we have weakened it with our human presence is another topic for another post. I want to focus on the impact of planetary influence on our existence. This, I would argue, should be the basis of astrological studies. We, as Earthbound individuals affected by the composition and atmosphere of Earth, are influenced materially and energetically by the presence and movements of other cosmic bodies in the sky. And instead of approaching astrology in a way that is fear based (i.e. “Ahhhhhh Mercury in retrograde/solar eclipse is screwing up my life!!1!!1!!!!”), by understanding and questioning the interconnectedness of the universe, our astrological engagements should become clearer.
Astrology and astronomy offer various ways of looking at the whole of the universe and its effect on Earth different ways of looking at the systems of control that govern planetary identity and engagement. Our ideas about our personal and collective environment should include the activity of the cosmos and planetary bodies. Just like we think about the weather affecting our daily plans, it is the case that our environment is deeply affected by the environment of the cosmos. Unlike astronomy which examines the physical universe through a scientific lens, astrology studies the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies and interprets this information as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world. Don’t get me wrong, astrology is still mathematical and scientific in ways. Astrology goes several steps further by viewing planetary bodies as having character and intentions of their own. Astrology combines mythology of stars and scientific, material positioning together in a system that examines the entire system of an alive, effectual universe.
Just as the idea of the Earth as a living organism has been deadened in a sense, so has the bodies of outer space been displaced from Nature, removed from what we consider “environment,” and disjointed from effective connection to the very structure of Earth. Astrology’s acknowledgment of the entirety of the universe continuously works to bridge the gap between “outer” space and the inner lives of humans and nonhumans on the planet so that we can make sense of the cosmic space we reside in as cosmic entities. Astrology is based on a practice of ancient humans observing the universe around them; “while in the beginning they only watched, remembered and regulated.” Our ancestors remembered the environmental inputs and outputs for survival purposes in a world that was largely unknown to them. Humans are environmental beings, after all, using our senses and responses to develop from the embryo and stay alive in various environments.
Although astrology can be traced to the ancient Babylonian application of omen astrology, the Greeks focused on certain elements of movements that the celestial bodies appeared to do day in and day out. Looking from the ground, observers noticed that celestial objects revolved in orbits around the earth, all of them together westward in the period of a day, and the (seeable) seven planets eastward (for the most part) in different periods and complex individual orbits. Celestial bodies differed from whatever was happening on Earth, not only in durability but also fundamentally in their very nature. For them, these cosmic bodies are endowed with alien qualities of autonomous circular motion, a motion that ancients gazed at and responded to as they engaged with their environment, and in turn connected to the wholeness of the universe.
It is beneficial that ancient astrology led to a deeper astronomical investigation of the cosmos because it helped answer pressing questions held by people when thinking about the cosmos. Now, it is astrology’s job to convince us that we are actually cosmic beings deeply affected by cosmic bodies in a cosmic multi-verse.
Thanks for reading! Check out my astrological/tarot reading options: https://linktr.ee/kongokosmo7
New Moon in Taurus
Kongo Kosmo 7 