New Moon in Taurus- The Price

Banksy in Boston: F̶O̶L̶L̶O̶W̶ ̶Y̶O̶U̶R̶ ̶D̶R̶E̶A̶M̶S̶ CANCELLED, Essex St, Chinatown, Boston by Chris Devers, CCL

Helios says:
“That’s the cost. That’s the price. Get ready, because when you crush the humanity out of humans, you’re left with humans with no humanity. In other words, you get what you pay for, motherfucker”
― Rick Yancey

Well, we survived that Full Moon in Scorpio- It may not feel like it, but we made it through. This one was rough, rougher than most; and for Scorpio that is SAYING something. Luckily the torture left us with a gift- It exposed our souls. Parts of you that you have given up for dead long ago got the chance to breathe again. Through the pain and the fire, you were able to take the first steps and see where you COULD heal, if you so chose.

It's never quite that easy though...

Over here, we are quite fond of berating you and beating the idea of knowing yourself and what it is that you truly want, your hearts deepest darkest desires into your thick skulls, but now this astro has whispered a question- what are you willing to do to get what you want? What will you sacrifice? How will you settle your debt? I assure you there will be a price to pay to see your dreams come true. This tells us something important- What you want CAN be brought to reality, and you can make it happen. It is within the realm of possibility. Then again, so is either myself or Artemis getting hit up by Emma Stone for a quickie- possible, sure within the multiverse and infinite possibility, but probable?

The astro gives us a chance though, an in. It always does. Each time we write one of these things its always an opportunity- For YOU! It's up to you to act on it though...

Artemis Says:

CARDS:
MOON:  4 of Swords
SUN:  The Hermit
Mercury:  Ace of Swords
Venus:  The High Priestess
Mars:  4 of Cups
Jupiter:  King of Cups
Saturn:  King of Pentacles
Uranus:  7 of Pentacles
Neptune:  6 of Swords
Pluto:  7 of Cups

“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”  ― E.B. White

Taurus is such a lazy piece of shit sometimes.  No, seriously!  You Taureans are one of my greatest delights.  I seriously adore you guys and always seem to be surrounded by your bullheaded presence.  The earth sign Taurus is ruled by Venus, who is the embodiment of love, pleasure, and fortune.  Gluttony, sloth, and lust are my favorite sins, and Taurus and her Venusean sister, Libra, wear those sins like a summer dress.  You can make it all look so good, Taurus...

 But you're lazy as fuck.

With my natal Mars in Taurus, I COMPLETELY get it.  I would rather be lying on furs, eating chocolate covered strawberries and screwing all night, but I also have to pay my earthy masters their due (bills bills bills).  Fortunately, Taurus is here to teach us that work and the physical world do not need to be like Chinese water torture (where every day just slowly drives us more and more insane). 

H: The Sun and Moon- In this lunation, the isolation that has been a theme in the past few moons is taking its toll. You feel that no one is on your side and that you are trying to scale the highest peaks on your own, with no climbing gear and no safety net. Your resources are painfully scarce and allies are few and far between, let alone ones that you can count on. This is A perspective; another way to see it is that you are pulling out ahead of the pack, and making a name for yourself. Use what you have at your disposal, and dont give up, just when things are getting interesting! You can do this, if you still want to. If your goals no longer match the path you are on, now is the time to break off of that course, before you are locked in- and it is very close to being that time. Change your mind before it is changed for you.

A: For the Sun, I pulled The Hermit.  That Scorpio full moon sure did a number on us, and 5 planets in retrograde surely didn't help.  We retreated.  We went away and exposed the deepest parts of ourselves to our inner eye.  Only through crossing Scorpio's dark void can we be reborn.  Unfortunately, when we gain a new understanding about anything (especially about the self), there comes an equal backlash of isolation.  The Hermit teaches us that once we go up the holy mountain, we wont come back down as someone people will initially understand.  We are seeking our inner truth.  We realized that the only way to live is from this inner truth; fuck these illusory reasons society feeds us from birth.  Things look different now under this new light.  Don't fret if you are misunderstood.  Hold your ground stubbornly, says the Taurus Sun, because once you start shining, the whole world wants to bring you down.  Shed all the shit you don't need for this spiritual journey.  Only keep the things that feel good in your heart and make you feel lighter for your long pilgrimage. 
For the new moon in Taurus, I pulled the 4 of Swords.  Ugh, Taurus is laying the laziness on thick.  She knows we are tired as fuck right now.  So rest up, darlings.  Indulge a little.  Eat some cake.  Make love.  Laugh.  Sing.  Get some sleep.  Give yourself a little break, because the past few weeks have been ROUGH.  Pull back from the people who are causing you anxiety, regroup, recharge, and sketch up your next plan of action.  This is some beautifully lush energy coming in, but even though we will be taking in life's simple pleasures, we will still remember our goal and where we are going.  Relaxation and regeneration doesn't hinder one from getting to where they are going.  Hell fucking no.  It makes life worth living, it strengthens us (body, mind, and soul), and it gives us an opportunity for release.  So, lay back... let go of your worries... just for a bit. 

H: Mercury, Venus, Chiron and Uranus- You are struggling with issues regarding what you are worth and what you deserve. You must overcome your reflex to cut yourself off at the knees. You were not born to prostrate yourself before others, narrow-minded fools who cannot see the scope of your vision- You are here to do so much more than you have yet. The setbacks and challenges that are in your path now are not here to overwhelm you, they are here to be overcome by you, to make you stronger. It is not time to give in yet, you have miles and miles to go before you rest.

A: For Mercury, I pulled the Ace of Swords.  The regenerative moon is going to give us access to our ideas and our words again.  Even though we may be in retrograde at this time, the conjunct with Mercury/Sun/Moon will give us a great deal of elation and bull headed poise.  But be careful!  Mercury in Taurus makes us blunt and sometimes all too harsh with our words.  Truth is a double edged sword.  Are you willing to bleed for what you're about to say?  This is probably a good time for work involving words and the intellect.  Our minds are sharp, poking at all the tiny details (which can lead to a fuck ton of anxiety, so try and slow down a bit and take care of yourself).  Just remember, don't get too caught up.  Harness this powerful, kinetic energy but don't let it get you carried away. For our darling Venus, I pulled the High Priestess.  Sneaky, sneaky, Venus.  It seems that she has been fatefully weaving again, and she's not talking.  This is another indication that we need to STOP and BREATHE.  The High Priestess has many secrets.  She is intuitive power, perception, the seer, knowledge that cannot be acquired by the intellect alone.  What are the things you seemed to "know at first sight?"  In Venus in Taurus, she tells us that through the lips of joy, we will hear our answers.  Follow your initial instincts, no matter how strange they may seem to your rational mind.  There are forces at work that we cannot see, so we must be silent and listen.  It may seem strange, but through your ability to relax and enjoy yourself - to have pleasure in the company of those that make your heart warm - you will find the answer to a great mystery.  Shhhh, just listen.  This is also a good indication that this is the perfect time for magickal workings - especially in regards to Fortune and Love.  For Uranus, I pulled the 7 of Pentacle.  More blah blah blah, reap reap reap.  The outer planets are incessantly giving us this message.   Make sure that you timing things correctly right now.  All of your hard work can and will go to waste if you are not watching for the right times to initiate.  Uranus knows that sometimes you need to strike like lightening and do things in spontaneous flashes.  Go with your hunches.  When something feels like it's ready to go, then get going with it.

H: Mars and Neptune- Here is where the debt racks up: With 5 planets retrograde, and in Taurus season, forward motion comes at a premium. The way will be unclear whichever way you turn, and every action will come at an exorbitant cost. What that price will be depends on the action and how much ground you are willing to take right now. The gains you make in one area of your life will be offset by losses in another. You must be willing to get into the flow- fighting it and swimming against the current will only increase this cost and make the cuts all the deeper. This is a sky for opportunists, those who are willing to wait for just the right moment. Or wait for a different sky altogether.

A: For our buddy Mars, I pulled the 4 of Cups.  Ugh.  We get it.  We're tired.  We need to rest.  We need to meditate.  Mars in retrograde right now means everyone is still in double asshole mode, so try and retract this energy as best as possible.  Don't let the apathy eat you alive.  Our energy is drained, we are contemplating throwing in the towel because this shit that is stacking up against us is getting very fucking high.  Don't miss opportunities because you feel like you can't take them on right now.  Be playful.  Look at things you wouldn't have looked at before.  Look AWAY from yourself.  Your energy is creating a giant  friggin MIRROR and perhaps all you have been seeing lately is yourself.  Step out of your Martian ego.  Inspiration is desperately needed right now, and this card is telling me it is literally right under our noses.  For those of you who have the ability to duel with your ego, get ready for some epiphanies. For Neptune, I pulled 6 of Swords.  It looks like the spiritual world is putting us through some spiritual trials right now.  Jeez, thanks, like we didn't notice that one...  It seems all of our bullshit right now is karmic, and that's ok.  Deal with it now and swiftly before it submerges your ship.  Although we have had a tremendous amount of misfortune lately, this is a clear indication that we are moving on from that.  Things are going to get crazy with the grand cross and the Eris/Uranus conjunct, sure, but at least this last karmic phase is starting to close up.  What awaits us on the other side?

H: Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto- Most of all, you are struggling because you are trying to find meaning, a reason to keep moving through this storm of insecurity, self-doubt, and your own insignificance in the world and the cosmos. Make no mistake, these are big, cold, uncaring energies- They will crush you underfoot without a thought if you let them. So you have to make them take notice of you! You must find something, anything, to cling to- Anything that brings you a small bit of comfort or meaning, no matter how small or banal, and you must hold that you like it is the key to everything, life's greatest secret. Once you have it, you can use the Titan's energies to their full strength, bringing the cosmos to bear for you rather than against you.

A: For Jupiter, I pulled the King of Cups.  It looks like Jupiter is going to be the jovial king he is suppose to be.  At the time of the New Moon, he will be 2 days away from being direct again (HALLEFUCKINLUAH).  He is also going to be a part of the magnificent Grand Earth Trine that is happening smack dab in the middle of our cruel Mercury Retrograde.  He is here to offer us what we want, so what will you ask for?  This is a wonderful time for expansion, for relaxing, for a bit of laughter and relief from all of this craziness going on.  If you have been thinking of launching a project or an idea, this is the perfect time.  Luck will be on your side. For Saturn, I pulled the King of Pentacles.  Yeah, yeah, we get it.  Saturn is still telling us that even though we have this little bit of relaxation coming our way, we still need to prepare for what is ahead.  He is always such a friggin drag.  3 of the 4 planets that will be participating in the grand cross in June are already in place (forming a dreaded t-square in the sky).  Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn are all putting pressure on each other and waiting for the Sun to hit the mid point of Gemini (Grand Cross is on 6/6/16).  So get your ducks in order.  Saturn is still in retrograde, so continue working on those loose ends and build your fortified walls.  You must become the master of your domain in order to use the grand cross that's coming as a spiritual evolutionary gateway instead of a baseball bat to all of your hopes and dreams.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  For Pluto, I pulled the 7 of Cups.  Ugh, screw you Pluto.  He is throwing so much shade our way.  All of the bullshit you keep in your head is coming out louder and louder to haunt you.  No one likes digging up more skeletons, but at least this card is indicating to us that it is all just illusions trying to bring us down.  All those things nagging at you and giving you anxiety are shit that have been put in your head by others.  Proper behavior.  Career goals.  Relationship goals.  Blah blah blah.  Look away.  Don't get blinded by all of the things people tell you that you should have and fucking get Plutonian and DESTROY that shit.  Once you have demolished the buzzing bees of societal expectations, you can finally hear the voice deep inside.  Then you will know what you truly want.  This will be the rebirth you need before the coming Grand Cross.

Full Moon in Scorpio- Skeletons

Day of the Dead San Francisco 2012 by Brian B. Sorensen

This Transit takes effect on April 21, 2016.

“Way far back in the beginning of the world was the whirlwind warning that we could all be blown away like chips and cry- Men with tired eyes realize it now, and wait to deform and decay- with maybe they have the power of love yet in their hearts just the same, I just don't know what that word means anymore- All I want is an ice cream cone” -Jack Kerouac

Helios Says:  *Sigh* Life.... What is the point to it all? Does any of it matter? Why do we bother? We stumble blindly through time, cocking up everything we touch, experiencing a few fleeting moments of joy to break the monotony of the stinging misery that otherwise encircles us. None of us asked to be born, we just had all this merde thrust upon us. Sure, the grand traditions are there to try and offer us solace, a reason for being, some bullshit about learning lessons or whatnot- but the truth is no one truly knows what the point is, or what happens when we die. Our future is unclear, and our past depends on the perspective- All we know is the present, and that is suffering. 

It's not getting any better. Take each moment as it is the best on you will have to look forward to, because it gets increasingly likely that will be the case.

Artemis Says:

“With my ninth mind I resurrect my first
and dance slow to the music of my soul made new.” 
― Aberjhani, Visions of a Skylark Dressed in Black

Oh gods, here comes the Scorpio full moon.  Can you think of anything more dreadful right now?  I hope you figured out how to contain that Aries fire, because you're really going to need it now.  With Saturn in retrograde, this Scorpion full moon is going to dig all of the skeletons out of our closets.  I know with some of you those things should never see the light of day, so that's kinda scary, not gunna lie.  Motherfucking GHOSTS.  They will come in the form of nightmares.  They will come in the form of anxiety.  They will come in the physical form knocking at your door.  What does Casper say?  Ghosts can't move on if they have unfinished business.  You're either going to give up and live with them in your haunted house, or you're going to become a motherfuckin' exorcist.  Your choice.  Can you dance with the devil and finish your unfinished business?

Helios Says:  The Sun and Moon- Huh. Nothing else? That's new and different. Well, what isn't different is that we are going into this one exhausted. You are questioning your life, what matters, and what doesn't. I've been telling you for some time now that you need to make choices along those lines and cut away what doesn't serve you anymore, but have you been listening? Noooooooo, you thought you could just keep stalling, didn't you? Well now you don't have any more time, and you have to make those cuts NOW or they will be made for you. You are running out of time to hide. Everything will come to light, sooner rather than later. However, you still have a few precious moments left to choose a new way forward and throw yourself down it. I heartily recommend that you do so before it is too late.

Artemis Says: The Sun in Taurus:  For the sun, I pulled the card 4 of Wands.  Back from the dead.  The Taurus sun will start shining on the sacred holiday of 4/20 *puff puff pass*.  This means that this new sun will be hit with a full moon quite fresh off the runway.  Scorpio and Taurus are opposites on the Zodiac wheel, meaning that they share a good amount of traits and then differ quite drastically in others.  They have the same sort of feel to them; like super hero and arch-villain.  They couldn't exist without each other.  Where the Scorpio moon may be haunting us about our poverty right now, the young Taurus sun is enthusiastically reminding us of our goal.  Your sun sign in astrology is the archetype you are STRIVING to become (as opposed to your moon sign, which is how you react to the world and more of your personality - it is your instinctual reactions).  We are striving toward this celebratory 4 of wands; getting exactly what we want.  Don't take your eye off the prize.  Charge at it like a bull.

The Moon in Scorpio:  For the moon, I pulled the card 5 of pentacles.  This card is all about poverty and what we learn about ourselves when we finally hit rock bottom.  When we are in desperation, we are only kept alive by the most gnawing of needs.  Dive deep, babies, clean your closets once and for all.  These things that are living here, creating weights for your wings, they must be removed before you can live a full life.  I know you're tired.  Trust me, we all are.  We have had unfinished business coming at us since Saturn started his retrograde a few weeks ago, so we should be getting our bearings right now.  You've got this, punks.  You've fought these mini bosses before, and you're still here today.  Now finish them!

Helios Says:  Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Chiron- Now this is more like it. Here, we see the real heart of the issue- You have lost your way, and have no idea where to go from here. You are afraid, and feeling nothing is much easier than facing that fear. You have been hurt, and instead of licking your wounds and stepping back out into the world, you have retreated further inside yourself, hiding from any potential to be hurt again. I tell you that you are wasting your life by allowing this to continue. Fear has you paralyzed, and it is killing you one day at a time. Your despondency has become inertia, and your ennui a crutch- Get off the couch and back into the game! You only have so many moments here, make them count. Schluff off your baggage and step lively.

Artemis Says:  Mercury in Taurus:  For Mercury, I pulled the card Temperance.   I know you're all planning, darlings.  I know, because you are listening.  I know, because I scared you enough.  What's the plan, punks?  Take your time.  Measure it out.  Get a white board and start learning alchemy.  Put the pieces together slowly.  Mercury in Taurus will help you.  Be clear with your communication.  Say things plainly.  People will be easily confused (which may work to your advantage, I don't know your life).  Things set into motion right now will take some time to manifest, but I assure you they will be stronger, more sturdy plans than anything made back in Aries.  Your Aries plans were the beta version.  It's time to solidify the real deal.

Venus in Aries:  For Venus in Aries, I pulled the card Ace of Cups.  Oh I'm so sorry, punks, this is going to be a rough one.  It's a big wave, this ace of cups, a huge huge wave of emotion.  Now we can ride this thing a few ways.  Yes, ride like a bucking ram, because that is what this thing will be!  So a lot of overwhelming emotion is rupturing the enforcement we thought were sturdy enough  It's fine, really.  All those damn skeletons coming out of the closet and all of this stress from attempting so desperately to plan for the future...  I get it, I get it, but really there are two ways to ride this experience; accept things for what they are and use this powerful emotional energy to fuel things that make you feel good, or succumb to it all and drown in your sorrows.  The cup is full.  Will you drink from it, or will you shove your face in it and drown?  Like seriously, don't be dumb.  It's always your choice.  And who drowns in a cup?

Uranus in Aries:  For Uranus in Aries, I pulled the King of Wands.  So, a challenge!  Uranus is not giving up on us.  He is warning us of what's to come and what we need to become in order to fight it.  We need to become an unashamed version of ourselves.  Eris and Uranus conjunct is coming (June 1), and it's going to be an eruption.  Uranus is also pelting our public sphere with more chaos.  What's going to happen with all of this new information coming in?  The political sphere is going to get hotter and hotter still into the summer.

Helios Says:  Mars and Neptune- And here's where that ennui is coming from. You are burying yourself, probably under work or something, distracting yourself from the real problems in your life so that you don't have to deal with them. Well, burying your head in the sand isn't going to change the fact that you are in serious trouble. You are going to need to take action, and you are going to need to do it ASAP. You will need to break free of the stagnancy you find yourself in. You will lose something you once deemed important, and may yet still, but its time has come. Cut it away from you before it drags you down into the depths. You cannot see how much damage it is doing to you, and it would do significantly less if you moved on from it. Quit trying to fix what is broken, before it breaks you too.

Artemis Says: Mars in Sagg Retrograde:  For Mars in Sagg Retrograde, I pulled 9 of Swords.  Ok, so 9 of Swords traditionally means "nightmares."  Which makes sense right now, doesn't it?  All of our energy is being drained by these nightmares.  People's fears are surfacing in the public sphere as well as privately.  There is a quite desperation going on and a lack of energy in general.  We may have had a plan and it is failing us.  That's okay.  We learned what doesn't work.  Time to get back up on that horse.  The nightmares, the unresolved business, is coming right at us.  Don't let being knocked off your horse a few times get to you.  You're still alive, aren't you?  Please don't tell me you are the type who gives up in the middle of a fight...

Neptune in Pisces:  For Neptune in Pisces, I pulled the Queen of Swords.  Well, darlings, at least we will be cutting through some of this illusion bullshit.  The world is going to seem a bit... cold right now.  Don't fret.  Keep your eye on the prize, like an oasis in the distance.  We are going to all cross this desert together.  And no matter how tired we get, we need to continue to be decisive and always choose to cut through the bullshit or it will swallow us whole.  Neptune is getting close to going into Retrograde again (June 13), so the bullshit will get easier and easier to see.  This is good news, punks!

Helios Says:  Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto- As you can see, the Super Saiyan energy has been lessened somewhat, due to Uranus separating from the pack in preparation for his date with Eris. That doesn't mean you should discount its influence, however. Right now, it is serving to isolate and insulate you, putting you in a corner by yourself, so that you can prove what you are capable of. Take advantage of your isolation, get your house in order while no one is looking. This is the time to take the steps that others would discourage you from, but the downfall is that you don't have anyone to turn to for good advice and feedback. Sure, you want to wallow in self-pity and do nothing but binge Netflix, since no one is calling you to go out to the best parties and you see the hoes hooking up and professing their love, but its far better to put the headphones on, go to the gym and get that summer body ready now while you have fewer distractions. One good habit will lead to another, and then change will follow. For the better.  

Artemis Says: Jupiter in Virgo Retrograde:  For Jupiter in Virgo Retrograde, I pulled 7 of Swords.  More bad news, babies.  This card is downright insecurity.  What do people do when they are insecure?  They start hurting themselves and those around them.  You are nitpicking at yourself.  Seriously, stop that shit!  If you look suuuper closely, you will see that your plans are actually starting to take form.  This card tells us that those little things we have been doing - the sneaking around for information or the tip toeing around our enemies - is paying off.  You're going to need to continue to have your wits about you.  It's going to take every ounce of our craftiness to get ahead right now.  We have to use the magnifying glass that is Virgo and find the little details that are going to help our big picture.  You need to believe in yourself and your intuition more than ever now. You're going to need to be clever.


Saturn in Sagg Retrograde:  For Saturn in Sagg Retrograde, I pulled the Hangman.  Saturn is reminding us that he is fucking with time right now.  Ghosts from the past are coming at us.  Reverberations from the future are smacking us in the face.  Our present is showing us how it has effected both the future and the past.  How the hell is this even happening?  Stay still.  Stay centered.  Breathe.  We can do this.  Slay one ghost at a time.

Pluto in Capricorn Retrograde:  For Pluto in in Capricorn Retrograde, I pulled the Ace of Wands.  Pluto is murdering things behind the scenes.  He is like the Freddy of our past right now.  If you so choose to let something go, Pluto will make sure you are transformed.  You have an ally right now.  The Planet of death and rebirth will work behind the scenes and pinpoint exactly what needs to die via your level of desire for the thing.  You're going to KNOW what needs to die, and subconsciously you are taking the steps to kill this thing.  Have you  noticed?  Only the things that matter most can survive right now.  It's time to transform.  It's time to choose to become a higher version of yourself so you can face what's ahead.  What are you going to choose to kill?  What's keeping you from moving forward?

One more thing on Pluto and Jupiter - the combination of the 7 of Swords and Ace of Wands tends to mean that this is the perfect time to get ahead in business.

Ceres in Aries- Kakodyl

Hot - Ashlea Louise - Great British Tattoo Show 2014, London by Darren Johnson/ iDJPhotography, CCL

Effective date of transit: 4/15-7/18/16

“There’s a tendency to mistake preparation for productivity. You can prepare all you want, but if you never roll the dice you’ll never be successful.” ~ Shia LaBeouf

Helios ASTROLOGICAL reading of Ceres in Aries- Look at that woman up there. She is confident as shit, swallowing a flaming stick, in nothing but (very provocative) lingerie, showing herself and her awesome tattoos. God, I think I'm in love... Anyway, this is your role model for Ceres in Aries- Be bloody, bold and resolute! (laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm MacBeth! [Sorry, can't help myself. Grew up more on a stage than in a house, and always had a special place for the Scottish Play- That line is burned into my memory. Its even a much used tag here! Go on, click it- you know you want to!])

Now, while Ceres was in Pisces, you were beat down pretty hard. Shit got heaped on you over and over again, and now you are buried under it, defeated and reeking to high heaven. You didn't know what to do to get out from under it or how to go about doing it, so you were paralyzed. You gave up, and let it happen. You did what you had to do to get through- You have to forgive yourself for that, stop tormenting yourself over the past; it is set in stone and done (well, not from a non-linear quantum/multiverse perspective, but still)- you have the present to worry about.

This transit is a major shift in the energy. This is what you need. This is where you start to stand up, shake off the merde, and get the fuck out of the quagmire you have become stuck in. This is action, this is unapologetic candor and unleashing the awesome that you have held back. If you wait to do so you will suffocate and die under your own guilt and regret. Do not allow that to happen- and make no mistake, indolence now is equivalent to suicide. Do not resist the flow by staying stuck where you are- Get out NOW, consequences be damned. Get to where you need to be to succeed. If you can't make it happen right this second, start planning ASAP. No one is coming to do it for you. No one else gives a shit. Go do it yourself or it WILL NOT GET DONE.

Let me regale you with a story that is not that well known about Ceres/Demeter. Now, if you have the faintest idea who she is, you probably know her from her supporting role in the Original Lifetime Movie that is the Persephone saga, but what if I told you that she had her own adventures while she was wandering the earth, looking for her lost daughter? WELL SHE DID. The one in particular I want to discuss is the Demophon story, aka the Elusian Mystery Cult.

Abridged version- Persephone flees is abducted from her extremely overprotective Mother who abandoned her in a random field. Persephone is taken to the underworld, to be Hades' bride, but no one but Helios and Hecate seem to know what happened and they refuse to speak because Zeus arranged this and swore them to silence. Ceres rants to Zeus, and refuses to allow the crops to grow, and all life on earth is threatened while she goes wandering the earth to find Persephone. In her wanderings, just as she is about to give up, she takes a break at Elusis, where she meets the queen, who just so happens to need a nursemaid for her son, Demophon. Demophon is sick, and Ceres takes care of him while his parents run the country or whatever. Now, they are kind of nice to her, so she decides to repay them by making Demophon immortal, because that's just something she can sort of do I guess... She takes him off of people food and feeds him solely Nectar and Ambrosia, the food and drink of the gods, which gives them their strength and immortality [partially]. The other part of the immortality process is a bit trickier though...  She plunges the poor kid into a blazing fire nightly, burning away his mortality. One night, as she was almost done with the process, the queen barges in, and understandably flips her shit, sending Ceres into one of her now-famous tirades. Meanwhile, Demophon gets left in the fire too long, and he burns to death, which of course Ceres blames on the queen for being a shitty parent. Right around this time Helios and Zeus decide its a good idea for a reunion between mother and daughter, and send Mercury off to facilitate it, leading to more wacky underworld hi-jinks and shenanigans, but before she leaves she teaches agriculture to a random kid, saving Greece and humanity from dying out the next time an insane, grief stricken mother goddess ravages the earth out of pettiness.

Even though he dies at the end, Demophon finds life as a central figure in the Elusian Mystery cult, a religion focused on life, death, rebirth ad the underworld. They believed this story (along with other secrets they held) could provide clues as to the method Ceres used to make Demophon immortal, so that they could do it themselves.

Ceres can burn away the impurities in you and raise you up higher than you ever dreamed. All you have to do is let her.

Artemis' TAROT reading of Ceres in Aries

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”  ― Benjamin Franklin


Ceres is the mother.  According to myth, her mourning of Proserpina's return to the underworld is what brings us the cycle of the seasons; and therefore she is also the ruler of the great cycles in our life.  When floating through the arena of Aries, she becomes a fierce mother who teaches through action and fosters independence.  

Ceres in Aries is my personal natal position for the great mother, so her dark mama approach is very familiar to me.  She doesn’t take shit, she will push you into the deep end of the pool so you have no choice but to learn how to swim, and she will test you at every turn.  This is how a Ceres in Aries person teaches and this is how they learn.  Ceres in Aries will make sure that we are ready for this next step in our journey, and she will be our partner in crime along the way.  People ruled by this energy to not sit well with being told how to do just about anything.  They are happy to take suggestions and advice, but in the end you must KNOW that it is their choice what they do with their life.  And they want the same for you.

What does that mean for us?  Well, it means that a time is coming where we are going to start standing up for the things we want - no matter what other people might think of them.  That's a pretty amazing energy.  

For this ingress, I pulled The Sun crossed by The Hangman.  The rune that will clarify the energy is Hagalaz (hailstorm).  It’s time to grow up.  It’s time to regain our independence and our ability to drive our own fucking life.  We are familiar with all of the things we need to tackle and all of the things we need to get rid of in order to start our new life.  At our center, we know what we need to do, and we're finally ready to do it.  Something is urgently whispering, "There is no time like right now!"  You will finally have the drive to start taking action and pushing yourself, and those you care for, into more expressed versions of yourselves. 

The way toward thriving is to get up and take what you need.  Inaction and suspended ego are not going to work for you right now.  The Hangman is water, he is stillness, he is quietly peering into the next dimension.  He is willingness to let go of the ego, and he is not boding well for our ego infused happy sun energy that is trying to shine out.  Sometimes we need the ego.  Sometimes we really need it to puff us up and give us power to actually manifest shit in our lives.  Put yourself out there!

Because Ceres is entering Aries, I get a feeling that we are all being re-born as a new version of ourselves.  We are infants in this new stage, feeling out how to use our brand new powers.  The best way?  Ceres in Aries says just DO.  Play.  Act.  Take initiative and dive in.  It doesn't matter if you have a plan or not - do something.  It's the only way to learn how you need to proceed from here.

Compete playfully with your friends (this will be a great way to recharge during this period).  Look at the things in your life with child-like eyes.  This sense of independence and curiosity is exactly what we will need in order to keep afloat with the wacky energies coming our way the next few months.  Don’t fear.  Ceres in Aries doesn’t have time for fear in the midst of doing.  We WILL do this, and we will do this together.  The real question is...  Can you keep up?

TAROT READING:  The Sun CROSSED BY The Hangman

RUNE:  Hagalaz 

TNO Watch- The Fates

"I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act." -Bhudda

Well y'all are in for a treat today! We're going to go over not one, not two, but THREE minor planets today! Aren't you excited?

You better be because today we're tackling the biggest players there are: The Fates

The Astronomy: 97 Klotho is a fairly large main-belt asteroid. While it is an M-type, its radar albedo is too low to allow a nickel-iron composition. Klotho is similar to 21 Lutetia and 22 Kalliope in that all three are M-types of unknown composition. 13-cm radar observations of this asteroid from the Arecibo Observatory between 1980 and 1985 were used to produce a diameter estimate of 108 km. 120 Lachesis is a large main-belt asteroid. It was discovered by French astronomer Alphonse Borrelly on April 10, 1872, and independently by German-American astronomer Christian Heinrich Friedrich Peters on April 11, 1872. Photometric observations of this asteroid were made in early 2009 at the Organ Mesa Observatory in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The resulting light curve shows a synodic rotation period of 46.551 ± 0.002 hours with a brightness variation of 0.14 ± 0.02 in magnitude. It has the longest rotation period of an asteroid more than 150 km in diameter. As a primitive C-type asteroid it is probably composed of carbonaceous material. 273 Atropos is a typical Main belt asteroid that was discovered by Austrian astronomer Johann Palisa on March 8, 1888 in Vienna. Photometric observations of this asteroid at the Palmer Divide Observatory in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2007 gave a light curve with a period of 23.852 ± 0.003 hours and a brightness variation of 0.60 ± 0.03 in magnitude. (ripped from wikipedia)

The Mythology: Okay, so these ladies (like most of my favorite bodies to work with) are primordial, and their stories a matter of great debate. Some trace them back to the time of the Titans, some say that they were children of Zeus and Themis and at their fathers command, others say they pretty much just have always been there and Zeus is just as subject to their power as anyone else. No one really agrees on any of it. What they do agree on is their functions; Klotho is the spinner, making the thread and associated with beginnings, Lachesis is the one who measures the thread, determining how much is needed, associated with the present or the middle of the story, and Atropos is the cutter of the cord, the ending. And they would like me to impress upon you all that they are not haggard old women who only have one eye and one tooth between them. That is hurtful slander and they will not stand for it anymore!

The Astrology: Obviously these lovely ladies have similar themes astrologically as well as mythologically. The trouble with them is that it is insanely hard to see them in action, but astoundingly easy in hindsight. Of course, this lends to far more meaning in transit than in the natal chart. The pattern can only be seen when its complete, with perspective. In the chart, you must use all three of them together to see what the hell is going on- Sure, you can focus on one but it wont tell you the full story on its own. In addition to that, Martha Lang-Wescott identifies Klotho as having to do with "conditions (fate and expectations) at the beginning; initial understanding, what is apparent at the start, origins/beginnings in general." I would add to that what one is "made of," having (or not having) "the right stuff," possibly even textiles; Lachesis as signifying "intervention, assessment midway into a sequence, what 'interrupts' an evolving sequence from going as one would have expected (from the way it began or is underway)". Marianne Alexander adds what happens when something is allowed to continue without intervention; or something that occurs by default. One may also say Lachesis indicates deciding the length or duration of something, putting a stop to something (or trying to); and Martha Lang-Wescott has linked Atropos to endings, completion, conditions at the finish, what is needed to conclude. Marianne Alexander has linked Atropos to repetitive action, such as oil drilling. Atropos, I believe, can also signify cutting off, termination, pounding, percussion, "beating one's head against the wall" or "keeping on plugging away" at something.

To find out where they show up in your chart, go to astro.com, put in your birth details and in the extended options, all the way at the bottom there will be a menu of additional objects. Under that is a blank space where you can enter the number 97,120 and 273, for Klotho, Lachesis and Atropos respecitvely. Once you have those entered, generate the chart! Where do the fates affect your life?

TNO Watch: Orcus

“Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one’s head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace.”
—Oscar Wilde

Allow me to announce the triumphant return of the TNO Watch!

For those who aren't aware, we have far more than just the main 8 planets in our solar system: There are actually hundreds of thousands of bodies that we know of, and more are being discovered daily. Some of the most interesting ones are minor planets out past Neptune, given the designation Trans-Neptunian Objects, or TNOs.

And boy, do I have a good one to talk about today...

The Astronomy: Orcus is in the Kuiper belt, and has a large moon- Vanth. He is a plutino, locked in a 2:3 resonance with Neptune, extremely similar to Pluto's orbit,except that it is constrained to always be in the opposite phase of its orbit from Pluto: Orcus is at aphelion when Pluto is at perihelion and vice versa. Moreover, the aphelion of Orcus's orbit points in nearly the opposite direction from Pluto's, although the eccentricities and inclinations are similar. Because of these similarities and contrasts, along with its large moon Vanth that recalls Pluto's large moon Charon, Orcus has been regarded as the anti-Pluto. This was a major consideration in selecting its name, as the deity Orcus was the Etruscan equivalent of the Roman Pluto, and later became an alternate name for Pluto.

The Mythology: Orcus was a god of the underworld, the punisher of broken oaths in Italic and Roman mythology. As with Hades, the name of the god was also used for the underworld itself. Orcus was portrayed in paintings in Etruscan tombs as a hairy, bearded giant.  Orcus was chiefly worshiped in rural areas; he had no official cult in the cities. This remoteness allowed for him to survive in the countryside long after the more prevalent gods had ceased to be worshiped. He survived as a folk figure into the Middle Ages, and aspects of his worship were transmuted into the wild man festivals held in rural parts of Europe through modern times.

The Astrology: Since Orcus was only recently discovered, his astrological impact is still being studied by those of us who get off on this sort of thing. Still, from what we know we can glean a few things about how he works. He is a facet of the Underworld, much like Pluto; but unlike our favorite emo planet, Orcus is concerned more with the life-death-rebirth cycle than outright power and death. Orcus is the decomposition of living matter to become fertilizer or compost, enriching the soil so that it may bear fruit again next year. Orcus is fecundity, the knowledge that nothing ever truly dies, he is the law of conservation of matter.

Also interesting is his moon, Vanth, who I think has just as much import as the big guy does. Vanth is concerned with the passage of souls from the world of the living to the world of the dead: She is a psychopomp, being able to get in and out of hell as she chooses. Therefore, Orcus can be seen in that light as well, helping transition to the next stages in our life, helping us grow. Orcus is also the God of Oaths, so we find a connection to Pluto- Oaths can be seen as a pledge, or commitment of power, and Orcus has power over these, enforcing fairness and coming down HARD on those who cheat others, because in his eyes, they are cheating him!


To find out where he shows up in your chart, go to astro.com, put in your birth details and in the extended options, all the way at the bottom there will be a menu of additional objects with Orcus' name there. Once you see it, click it and generate the chart! Where does Orcus affect your life?

Ceres in Cancer- That's Right, You're Wrong

Well Hellraisers, I just reached 100 Likes on my Facebook page, so this is your reward! Seriously, you guys are awesome, and rock so hard its ridiculous. Its bringing some manly glistening to my eyes, of the type that is usually reserved for Doctor Who or some particularly ablative onions.

Getting into the astro, its been a while since we last checked in on Mama Ceres, so lets see whats up there, aye? She's been stuck in Gemini, with just Jupiter for company for a while. The last time this happened, she ended up pregnant with Persephone! So probably most likely with child, she heads into the much more feminine-friendly Cancer, to focus, recharge and recover- but most importantly to protect the new life within her.

Thats the main theme here- protecting something new that has just recently appeared in your life. You need to make sure it has support, room to grow, and has a chance to become something amazing. Look to wherever the start of Cancer is in your chart, and you'll see where this is going to play out for you. For instance, in the Seventh it could very well be some hot new love interest! Invest some time and energy on it.

The thing thats going to be hard is the dichotomy between the Aries "Me, me, me!!" attitude, and the Cancer attitude of "What's best for baby". Walk the middle ground- Let the Cancer soften the Aries Ego and consider the feelings and desires of others, while enabling the mother to channel Aries and empower her to defend herself and the new life within her.

The more I sit with this and write on it, the more I realize this is actually big. Work with this guys, sit with it and bring it into form. Trust your instincts- You should already know what this is. Be selfish, make it yours! That way you can defend it. Engage your support network- They will truly want to help you. In the same track, reach out to those around you and see if there is anything you can do to help them, they might need you in ways that are hard to broach. Pallas Athene switching signs in the same time and in sextile will be a great ally here, riding out ahead and being the shield-bearer for Mama Ceres, making sure she is truly defended.

Most of all- this is to become something that enriches your life, not consumes it. Maintain balance. Make sure your own needs are met so that you can meet the needs of others. And enjoy this! The process is pure dead magic, embrace it!

Breathe deep Hellraisers!
-The AstroGeek

Full Moon in Leo- March Of The Divas

Ooooooh, shes been a bitch tonight! And by bitch I mean this Moon! Its in LEO, Hellraisers!

Holy Helios, this is going to be fun. This is also the perfect moment to really clear out all the guano that is still in the air from 2012, and claim your stake in 2013, announcing your presence and making a grand entrance. 

Its not all sunshine and glamour though- this lunation is in a major square to Saturn and has very strong contacts with Jupiter, Chiron and Uranus as well. Of course ill go into devastatingly painful amounts of detail below, but the theme is this- You're going to have to get out on stage, looking more fabulous than you ever have before, even though you're nowhere near ready and want to just hide backstage and give up performing forever. If that wasn't enough, you're going to have to make it look effortless.

Up for it?

The Sun and Moon- Right, so I already mentioned the square to Saturn, pulling at both of these two and demanding that they grow the hell up, putting a damper on the otherwise spirited mood. Okay, maybe "spirited" is pushing it, ill admit, but it is most certainly energetic as all hell. But the sword hanging over your head is meant to spur you forward and inspire you to do better, not to threaten you. Jupiter is not much help here however, at stationary Direct, not actually moving things forward or backward, but still causing a ruckus by his mere presence. Avoid anything that even remotely reeks of drama or could potentially become dramatic, unless of course you are in some kind of dramatic production, in which case expect chaos which gets handled and produces an amazing show. Uranus is not to be ignored, being both supercharged and the big ruler here, so he steals the show. Luckily, when you play by his rules he invigorates and recharges whatever he touches, cranking up your neurons and setting you aflame with all kind of new, crazy ideas. Because this is Insanity Astro, Pluto is also in the mix, so you can bet that there will be an edge in the air, kind of like snatching yourself back from the very brink, and spitting in life's face, daring it to do its worst while you grab your junk suggestively. This is actually exactly what its going to feel like, indicated by Chiron- either that or you will be attacked exactly where you are so very weak and you will be forced into surrender. Pallas Athene indicates that this is not exactly a moment where you just let it ride- You need a battle plan. If your 2013 Resolutions include fitness goals, now is the time to hit the Iron harder than ever, not time to give up on it and bitch out. Vesta confirms this, saying that if you have faith and stay dedicated, then you will be amazed at what you can achieve come Gemini Season (Hint- That's going to be a major time this year. Mark it down). A connection to Klotho tells you that the time is ripe for writing yourself a new chapter in your story. If there's something you want to do, then go out and freaking DO IT. If finances are an issue, make it a priority and save up for it. Just take steps to make it a reality. A trine to Hera confirms this, demanding that you make yourself a priority this year. It is time to grow into your own majesty, so start acting like Queen Bitch/ The Bastard King. An opposition to Askalaphus warns you to watch what you say, however. My advice would be to avoid saying anything and just put on a show for 'em!

Mercury- Now in Aquarius, the trickster is stronger than ever. Enjoy the boost now, because he's about to go Retrograde... In Pisces, of all signs. Which should be a cakewalk. But more on that when we have to deal with it. Today's focus starts out with a strong sextile to Saturn, so your mind is on serious matters, most likely regarding your place in the world and how to advance that place significantly this year. Well 2013 will be an almost unparalleled time to make those advancements possible. Plan now, put it into action after the Retrograde. A conjunction to Eros tells you to listen to where your attention goes; What you are passionate about might evolve into something more quite easily. A trine to Vesta and square to Deucalion confirm this, adding that you will need to stay dedicated to achieve what you want, and it will be an uphill battle. Another square, to Ceto, tells you that if you are made aware of an opportunity, you need to pounce on that shit immediately.

Venus- Venus may not be in the main drama this time, but holy hellfire does she have one hell of a side plot. Making her rounds in the outer rim, and securing alliances with the likes of Sedna, Eris, Varuna, Huya, Salacia, Haumea and Rhadamanthus, getting all of her ducks in a row for the rest of the year. With a connection to the Nodes, I am very interested in seeing how things turn out after this! While not the tamest skies for romance, the forecasts are certainly not dull where Our Girl is concerned! Of course, she is in Capricorn, so ignore her at your own peril. Of course, if you play by her rules, she gives you the best of the best.... Its not all sunshine and puppies, however. A square to Bienor indicates that what you want comes with a struggle to get it. You're going to have to fight dirty, and you'll have to decide whether its worth it or not. A sextile to Niobe warns against a tendency to overplay your scene and boast about your amazingness. Remember, there are no small parts. A square to Lachesis has you hard pressed to eliminate anything or start to remove negative influences from your life, but that time will come soon enough. A square to Atlantis confirms this, and suggests that you shouldn't push yourself just yet, but don't hesitate if something comes up either.

Mars- Almost out of Aquarius, Our Boy is lighting up the chart almost as well as Venus is, albeit in much different ways. All the Outer Planet connections are in effect for him, but the one I want to focus on is a square to Huya, which is exactly (and I mean down to the arcminute) conjunct to the North Node, but closely opposite to Sedna. That kind of configuration tends to highlight that you are feeling a lack of abundance and that it is your duty to yourself to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Whatever shape that may be, dont take anything off the table. Unconvential means may be the most effective for once. Another square, to Asbolus, confirms this and adds that you take this very seriously. This Lunation sets the stage for the rest of 2013, and with so much of it being water-heavy (and in the sign of the water-bearer no less!) security is tantamount. Do not put this off, you've done that for long enough now. A quincunx to Varuna highlights the need to make adjustments and to do it behind the scenes. This will not be easy. A sextile to Okyrhoe and Quaoar help here, indicating that you do have support, and you do have what it takes to create a new way forward for yourself. An opposition to Hekate confirms this, but indicates that you have some choices to make about which way to go (you're going to have to be a bit more specific than just "forward"). Hekate always stands with you at the crossraods to make the decision, but you will have to make it yourself, and walk the path that you choose. A square to Atropos confirms that, and challenges you to end what needs to be ended, with no drama. Accept what you had and allow it to go. A sextile to Hidalgo gives you the strength to stand up for what is important to you, and stands in the trenches with you as you fight for it. A conjunction to Icarus shows how you seek to be free of any and all limits placed upon you, provoking anger when you feel you are stifled. I would advise caution, however, as evidenced in the story of Icarus- Dont fly too high. This is confirmed by a sextile to Apollo and Phaethon, bringing both characters into play. In this case it seems that you should be able to ride the thermals instead of burning your wings. Settle for what you can handle, and try not to ride in any strange chariots if you can help it.

Jupiter- As we've said, the blowhard is Stationary Direct, set to start moving again shortly after the Full Moon, so take your deep breaths now. Prepare for it to hit, and in full force. If you're not ready when he comes, you will get taken down. Stay light and unecumbered by the bullshit. Helping you there (and forewarning the insanity that is about to go down) is a sextile to Uranus, basically ramping up Jupiter's crazy up to 11 and ripping the knob off. A square to Teharonhiawako is taxing your ability to rectify your place in the world as a functional contributor to society and as a creative individual in charge of their own life. Walk the middle ground (hint- It has to do with latent Self-Worth issues!). A sextile to Circe shows that you can make some magic happen if you stay dedicated and have a little faith in yourself. A trine to Hera confirms this, but demands that all of your choices be made to further your own ends and be on your terms. A trine to Nemesis may be an issue here; do not ride in like an avenging angel to try to win the day- rather sit back and let your minions do the work for you.

Saturn- Alright well the Grim Reaper turns retrograde next month, easing up on us a bit, and allowing us some breathing room. Til then, however, you do not skip Saturn, or whatever it is that hes trying to teach you (look at the house hes mucking through). Sextile to Pluto, old news, just keep doing whatever it is that you're doing. You know, soul-searing, demon-slaying, revolutionary reinvention. take no shit. A trine to Heracles helps here- You make it look easy. A conjunction to Persephone confirms this, saying that if you want the buried treasure then you have to dig real deep. A quincunx to Vesta doesnt make this any easier, as it challenges the very faith you have to keep going. Remember- The monsters under the bed always lie. This is also confirmed by a sextile to Eurydike and a conjunction to Siwa. A trine to Amor and a sextile to Aphrodite tell you that even though a romantic interest may start out light, there is a strong potential that it is more potent than you know.

Uranus- A conjunction to Pallas Athene is also old news, those two have been dancing around each other for months. Still, theyre quite potent together... Channel Hilary Clinton and crush your enemies while making them look dumb in the process. A quincunx to Orcus and a sextile to Altjira tell you... jeez, give me something new here!! Okay lets see, new... new.. Yeah I got nothing. Damn synodic cycles!

Neptune- Well, having FINALLY seperated from Chiron, we can actually start to treat them seperately, and deal with them head on. Well, Chiron anyway. Neptune can never be fought head on, you have to sidle up to him in the dead of night, looking fabulous in your assassins cloak (never mind that no one wears cloaks anymore, its all about the STYLE of the thing) while you ever so slightly slip something in his drink that will get him in 3 hours. Luckily, there are no real new influences here either, so moving on....

Pluto- So Chiron moves away from Neptune and ever closer to Pluto, demanding that you face those nasty secrets you thought were dead and buried in your psyche. Do it the first time around and it is LOADS easier, trust me. A conjunction to Echeclus indicates that there are issues coming stemming from the past, and that have carried into the future. A quincunx to Vesta challenges you to maintain your commitment to your duty and rediscover your purpose even though you face down some serious opposition and the fear can be crippling. This is lessened somewhat with a conjunction to Orpheus, letting you fake it til its real. A conjunction to Aphrodite and a sextile to Amor tells you that your desires are strong and if left unchecked will end up being more trouble for you than they are worth. A square to Magdalena balances this out, and gives a nice Madonna/Whore vibe to the proceedings. A trine to Achilles and a sextile to Heracles round us out, and raising us by our testicles to fight another round!

In closing, my friends; Always ask where she got the milk.

In Invicti
-The AstroGeek

If this hasn't satiated your craving for good Astro, go check out the Fantastical Starzina Starfish-Browne and her Time of the Month Horoscope for Aquarius season!

And after that, go check out great friend of the site Grymnal over at The Blurring Lines. His stuff is pretty awesome, and will definitely get you thinking!

Venus Retrograde: Penny in the Air...

Ah, Venus. Its been a while since we did a focus on our girl. She's been trekking through Gemini, and is poised to go Retrograde today, culminating in the coolio transit of Venus across the face of the Sun, something which has made quite a splash on the Astrology boards (and I thought we had seen the worst of it with the Cardinal Crisis...)

Anyway, this Retrograde is awesome and I am both stoqued and dreading it. Why you ask? Well, because my Disaster Bunker is currently being fumigated due to an unfortunate incident involving a colony of lobsters, a small amount of peas, and my nemesis- the dreaded Sue from Accounting (Don't ask. You REALLY don't want to know). So there goes my refuge. And this is happening in my home sign of Gemini (Represent! #TeamGemini baby!), so this time, its personal. 

Getting right into it, this Retrograde is about choices. Make no mistake, for the first time in a LONG time, you have options available to you- Options that just a short while ago you thought were completely out of reach. This is good, no? Well... that's where things get tricky. 

Here's the deal: You have done the work. You have walked the line, and while you may have slipped once or twice, you never wavered from your end goal, even when all you wanted to do was collapse and wallow in self-pity. But you did not allow that to happen. You kept going. You dug in, and this is your reward- a brand new life, on your terms. Exactly what was promised. The only thing is, this reward is also another test.

With all these wonderful choices, you are now faced with the single greatest fear of Gemini, the one that I am probably going to get kicked out of the club for talking about: The fear of Missing Out/ Making the Wrong Choice. You cant possibly have this shiny new romance while booking your emigration to Australia, or build up your savings by working 16 jobs AND trying to become a bodybuilder at the same time. Something has to give. Which can most certainly be paralyzing, and stop you from making any choice at all (which is in itself a choice). But there are other players in this drama...

Enter (hell, we cant seem to get rid of him!) Mars Ultor in Virgo! Finally, it starts to fall into place. When you have this exact situation, what do you need more than anything? Quick action, accompanied by a clear head. And to make it even more appealing, this quick action is guided by a laser focus. All the numbers have been crunched, and the most viable solution to the issue has been ascertained. Trust whatever you do, just do something! 

If only that were enough for you. No, you want to know with 100% certainty that whatever you choose is in fact the correct way to go. Enter Saturn. In a very tight trine to Venus as she stations, know that he will back your play, no matter what it is. You must make the call however. The path you choose will take you to new heights, and it will stick. 

"But Astro, it cant just be that easy" you say. And you're right! Neptune/Chiron are ganged up on you, chipping away at your confidence and reminding you of all your mistakes while showing you countless other ways that will lead you nowhere. These paths will be extremely tempting and you will want to settle for the easier way. Keep your focus.

With Uranus in a challenging position, the main thing to remember is that courage is required here. To live a life on your own terms, you have to be willing to piss off everyone who tries to get you to follow their path and sell yours. Pluto conjures up your demons to torment you as well. There are those around you at all times that want you to give up. I wont lie, it is the easier option. Jupiter promises protection however, albeit from behind the scenes. You must walk, blindly, off the edge of the cliff and take him at his word that there is a net to catch you.

"Ok, but if only there was some giant sign in the sky to tell me to do this RIGHT NOW. So I can be SURE" you say.

Oh wait, up next is a SOLAR FREAKING ECLIPSE! 

And if you still cant be bothered, go find a new astrologer to tell you that everything is going to be rosy as long as you keep funneling them money. Maybe even one who does Relationship Astrology! How lucky!!

The rest of you, get your game face on. There aint no rest for the wicked.

P.S- A couple parting thoughts. 

1. If you take a chance, then you may lose. But if you never play the game, how are you going to win?

2. The hard way is damn hard. But is nowhere near as hard as the easy way. 

3. Dont settle for anything, and you'll never have a reason to be jealous of anyone.

4. In the end, this is all up to you. You are the one who has to live with your choices. Make them count. 

5. Laugh at your fear and you can walk through fire.

6. Be shameless. Make no apologies.

7. You do not have to do this alone. You can make the choice to do so, however.

8. No, I dont do Relationship Astrology. But your ex is most likely still a shithead.

9. Go watch Starzina's Time of the Month Horoscope

A Posse Ad Esse

-The Astrogeek