Lillith in Scorpio- Dark Desires

in your eyes, morbo by Colectivo movimente CCL

Effective Dates: 5/22-12/2/16

Helios Says:

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.” -Paulo Coehlo

So much for feeling stuck, right? It seems like events started moving again, going from 0 to 60 overnight (Which in terms of car speed, is actually insanely slow, but in cosmic terms not so much), and it couldn't have come quick enough! The events of the last two months have been grueling, to say the least- being slowly ground down, like each planet was raking a sheet of sandpaper across your soul an inch at a time, trying to buff out your edges and exposing the flaws.

Well I have some good news and I have some good news; The good news is, the greater part of this process is over, and we are on the other side of the storm (specifically the feelings of being stuck and impotent) - The bad news is that now the real work begins, and you are going to have to put your money where your mouth is. You see, now we have Lilith to contend with, and she is not the one to let you sit back and let life be something that just happens to you, especially not since she is in Scorpio! Your grace period is over and you forgot to cancel your subscription.

This will be an uncomfortable time, especially at the onset with it being Gemini season- You have a conflict between what you THINK you should do and what you actually WANT to do. Lilith will be running around in your subconscious as you try and keep pace in your mundane life, and will buck every attempt you try and make to get her under control- and that is a good thing.

This energy of this year is straight out of Fight Club- No, no, not the obvious "You don't talk about Fight Club" reference, I'm actually onto something here. In Fight Club, the narrator knows he is dying a little more every day, and he is losing himself in the inauthentic nature of his life. In fact, the creator, Chuck Palahniuk wrote the story after he had a fight on a camping trip, and came back to work bloody and bruised- None of his coworkers brought up the injuries to him and their reluctance to get involved in any kind of "messy" personal details or trying to forge any kind of authentic human connection was the inspiration for the book. These last few months have been the equivalent to that camping trip, and now we are coming back to work, battered and bruised. You will be given the same treatment as Palahniuk was given- and it will open your eyes. No one else will care about what is happening to you, they are too wrapped up in their own bullshit. Your isolation will be a boon, even if it doesn't feel like one. You will be made aware of what needs to change, and will not be able to ignore it. You will know what you have to do.

Work with Lilith and she will save your soul. Fight her and she will leave you to rot. She doesn't have time to waste on the unworthy. Show her what you can do!

Artemis says:

“We are all born sexual creatures, thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift.”  -- Marilyn Monroe
Cards:  The Devil, 8 of Swords, The Queen of Swords

You will hear me barking about mirrors all of the time.  It is one of my favorite topics.  We are all little mirrors running around, projecting our issues into the outside world and receiving projections from others.  Sometimes we forget where our reflection begins and where the reflections of others end.  Unlike a mirror you may use to look at your beautiful face, humans are living, lucid mirrors.  We are ever morphing like liquid, filling cracks, reflecting some more, creating labyrinths of the mind - projecting outward and beckoning our deepest, most repressed desires to manifest as people and events in our lives.  We take things in - traumatic events or hurtful words people say - and leave a void in the world.  This is where Black Moon Lilith comes in with her influence.

Who is the mirror of the moon?  Why, that is the Black Moon Lilith.  So what the fuck is that?  Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?  Why, Lilith gives no fucks about silly questions like that.  She is the "evil" queen, aka the wild, self owned woman who kicked Adam in the teeth and bore a bunch of demon babies in some myths.  She is not passive femininity like Eve, who is born of his rib and bound to her identity as a subplot of man.  No, she is as much of a full being as Adam.  She is associated with the dark sexual energy inside all of us that we unfortunately stifle due to the commands from "civilized" society.  And then we label those urges a "monster" or "demon."  How backwards is that?  "Exercise the beast, don't exorcise the beast," goes a famous Satanic saying.  You can't ever rid yourself of your primal side, so you better learn how to harness it and ride that dragon.  

Nature has no idea what the fuck we are talking about when we say shit like "good" and "evil."  It doesn't know "good" and "evil."  Nature only recognizes when things are out of wack and a horrible imbalance has crept into the fold.  With our actions, we create a pocket or a void in our life.  Back to Black Moon Lilith.  During this ingress of the Queen of mental darkness, Black Moon Lilith will show us just how tight our blindfolds are.  Shackles of various kinds lead to mental blocks that keep us from fully expressing our nature.  As the mirror of the moon, Lilith will show us what personality traits we have developed to repress our desires.  Scorpio is very heavy handed when it comes to transmutation.  Why are you so terrified to change?  You know that your job, spouse, whatever, sucks.  So why don't you leave?  Why don't you severe?  Because you are afraid of your own power.  Lilith left her position of glory because she did not love Adam and did not want to be his servant, as the Abrahamic god YHWH commanded.  That was some big fucking decision...  That means she wont take any of your shit excuses anymore.

It's time to change.  You feel it in the air, don't you?  All of the events the past couple of moons have been gearing us up for our ability to cut through this thick jungle of our mind.  We have witnessed deep misery.  We have witnessed the power of the cosmos and how we are mere peons when it comes to the force of nature.  The "dream" that society gives us is as fragile as glass when it comes to the forces inside of us.  Don't fight her.  Learn from her.  Lilith will crack you open and devour your insides.  She is ruthless.  Change is inevitable, and that realization alone is enlightening.  

Remember what I told you when Vesta entered Gemini?  Watch your mind.  You lie to yourself as much as you lie to others.  Those urges you feel in your gut, what do they say to you?  If you do not manifest what you truly desire, the demons in your external world will just get scarier and scarier.  And then they will seep back into your brain as anxieties and more trauma and back out like a horrifying wheel of death and destruction.  Break that fucking wheel!  This Lilith energy is very Kali, the dark dancing Hindu goddess of time, creation, preservation and destruction.  She is associated with Shakti energy, or feminine sexual energy that leads to Kundalini Awakening.  Creation and destruction are mirrors, and this is an ancient creative/destructive force we are dealing with.  The deep, repressed desires inside of you are your way to the light.  They only seem ugly because we are reflecting back the tremendous fear that society has for the wild.  The power inside all of us is tremendous and boundless.  Why wouldn't that terrify a handler?  

Lilith knows she was born a Queen, not a slave.  Let this lesson pass on.  Don't live your life in quiet servitude to those around you.  Transform, become one with your desires, let the fucking beast out of the cage.  Don't let them use your own mind against you.  Don't let them tell you what you want.  You know what you want.

Pluto Retrograde- Cocytus

The Wraith by Jay Parker, CCL

Effective Date- 4/17-9/25/16

Helios says- Close your eyes. Do you feel it? That overwhelming emptiness, barely kept out of your thoughts. You distract yourself from the ache, piling on obligations, frivolities, drugs, and meaningless sex, what have you…  But every time you blink, or rest your eyes, and breathe again, there it is- Always hovering at the edges, threatening to swallow you whole.

You fear it. You are afraid because you know it is powerful, you know that it cannot be stopped. It is pervasive and it never sleeps. It dwarfs your own mortality. It whispers dark lies to you in the quiet- that you are ugly, that you do not fit in, that you never were good enough and you never will be, no matter what you do. It whispers that your loved ones do not love you back, and that you cannot trust them, they will only betray you in the end.

It whispers to you that you are alone in this world.

It whispers that in the end, all you truly have is it, the emptiness- Your last stalwart companion.

This is Pluto Retrograde. He will summon shades of the truth; never the whole picture, that’s not his style- not when just a bit is enough to have power over you. He knows your fears and he will play on them. He will conjure up ghosts of your past to terrify you, forcing you further within yourself so that you are further and further isolated from anyone who can help you, leaving you with only the darkness to whisper in your ear.

You must not let this happen. I understand this temptation better than most- The darkness knows secrets beyond mortal ken, and will tempt you with this occult knowledge just as much as it will try to terrify you into submission (Pluto is nothing if not an extremely skilled Dom, with intimate knowledge of your weaknesses and just how far you can be pushed), and you will walk into this thinking that you can flirt with the darkness for a weekend and come out unscathed, because you have before. Before you were brought to the edge, and it gave you an amazing rush, just enough to remind you that you are still alive. Ever since, you have pushed further and further, dancing ever more erratically on the knife’s edge. You have grown careless and overconfident- because you have not faced any true consequences yet, you think that you never will. I am telling you that if you dance with the devil this time around, he will take his due.

That is not to say that you should never go out dancing again, far from it! I am just telling you that this time, decline the invitation and make the bastard work for it. You have become far too easy of a date, and you need to play hard to get! It’s time to make this relationship with the darkness work for you, rather than it be all on his terms! Dance on your own if you have to- don’t be so predictable that you will wait around for a partner, because he can smell that desperation a mile away and will absolutely prey on it.

Oh, and stop responding to his booty calls. Leave the bastard blue-balled for a bit- It builds character.

Artemis says- CARDS:  4 of Swords AND 6 of Swords

Rune:  Thoronzon

“Sometimes I feel like a Buddhist and I need to chant; sometimes a Baptist and I need to holler and shout; and sometimes I need to be a Catholic and need to purge my sins and confess. It just depends on where I am.” - Jill Scott

Pluto retrograde is a scary fucking time.  I mean, Pluto is already a scary fucking planet.  He is the dude that tells it like it is no matter the costs.  Those with prominent Pluto in their charts seem to carry around mega speakers and KABLAM energy anywhere they stomp.  This is because they are the reckoning.  They are the transformer.  They are death, the destroyer of words.  Get ready for nuclear bombs to set of inside your brain.  Pluto retrograde is on the horizon, and it’s in that devil of a goat of a sign ruled by super serious scary Saturn; Capricorn.

The one rune I pulled, Thurisaz (the thorn), is very clear with its meaning in this situation; total and utter war with the self + tilling of the soil.  You can’t plant new seeds if the soil is not fertile – if there is some harmful insect ready to eat anything you attempt to grow.  It’s going to be uncomfortable and it’s going to feel hollow, so I suggest you carry around a little light with you wherever you go – like a lantern.  Bring something or focus on something every day that brings some form of joy in your life.  In a lot of mystical circles it is tradition to purge before initiation.  Actors do this before they begin to learn a new character.  They must purge themselves, destroy the old character and rebirth into the personality of the new. 

It seems Pluto wants us to purge and become the next version of ourselves.  Hopefully it’s someone you WANT to be as opposed to someone you are being forced to become.  Unconscious forces will be magnified, and psychological issues may erupt more than usual.  You can expect a lot of people to be snapping due to aggression, especially when Mercury retrograde and Mars retrograde join this Pluto retrograde.  Please realize that a lot of your aggression toward other people may be due to miscommunication and everyone dealing with deep psychological issues during this period.

Because Pluto rules in the macro sphere as well, this is likely to be a period of mass corruption and secret warfare.  I expect a lot of what is going to go on here will be purged out and emerge for the public sphere when Pluto goes direct in a few months.    

The things that you really want, like money or power or fame or love, you will start to see all of the shadow reasons why you love these things.  You will see the rot that surrounds the edges of everything, and you will bring it out and transform it.  Or you will become more crippled and dead than before.  It’s your choice.  It’s always your choice.  Pluto is the god of the underworld and the reflection that being in this underworld brings, and these reflections are going to get violent. 

The two cards I pulled for Pluto Retrograde are both Swords; 4 of Swords and 6 of Swords.

Swords represent air and the season of winter.  They talk to us about ideas, the intellect, communication, truth, power, deception and violence.  With two of these cards playing off of each other, this Pluto Retrograde is going to be extremely cerebral.  I would say that if you have issues with anxiety or depression, you should build some safety nets for yourself for this 5 month period.  If you can anchor yourself in correctly and narrow in on one issue at a time and truly dive (with support from those you truly trust to watch over you), you will succeed in purging the demons holding you back from taking your next step.  If you really don’t trust a fucking soul, you’re going to have to grit down big time right now.  It’s going to be a rough fight, especially with these other retrogrades joining Pluto (Saturn, Mars, Mercury).  You need to be hyper aware in this time because illusions will become thick.  If you practice, it is a good time to work with deities like Shiva. 

Where 4 of Swords is forcing us to heal our inner wounds, the 6 of swords tells us to move the fuck on.  Hello!  Your boat has taken off (probably without you).  Good job.  Now you’re going to have to swim out to it instead of sitting comfortably inside of it as you transit to the next shore.  We warned you about this boat in former sky watches – well there it goes.   Don’t let the things that you want vanish like a ship in the night.  Start swimming, face your fears, dive into the depths and get on that boat and move the fuck on.  If you don’t, you can bet you’ll be trapped in last year’s karmic wheel.  You don’t want to go through all that bullshit again, do you?  It’s time to illuminate, destroy, and transform.  I wish you all the best of luck.    

Mars Retrograde- Long Way Home

NA_Biketour_2009_208 by Jole Kiraly, CCL

Effective date: April 17th - June 29th (Shadow period from June 29th through August 23rd)

“If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.” - David Livingstone

Helios Says: BRRAAAAAP!! BRAAAAAAP!! Hear that? That's the alarm ringing, early as shit and you were out partying the house down last night. That is how we're starting this one, all right!

Oh, and you're late.

Mars is making a strategic retreat out of Sagittarius, stuffing his suitcases as best he can, trying to get out of Vegas before casino security makes it up to his penthouse suite to collect on his severe debt, the size of several Balkan states' worth of GDP (I'm good for it you guys, I swear!!). Unfortunately, with his back against the wall, 40 stories up, he only has one place to go- back into Scorpio. Yes, everyone's favorite, blood-curdling torture den, the stagnant underworld he once called home.

This is the best news you will have all week. You see, apart from being where all the good stuff is (sex, passion, other peoples money, and not to mention all the riches of the earth [apart from oil, which Pisces gets for some reason. Go figure]), Scorpio gives one wonderful, uncomfortable and usually unwanted, yet still completely vital gift: The Truth; the Scorpio truth is one that hides nothing- it is the naked truth. Scorpio will expose the falsehoods, allowing you to take action.

Yes, you read that right; this is not going to be a sit-on-your-ass retrograde, oh no! You will need to make moves, and you will need to make them now, at the least opportune moment. You see, you are already feeling this. You are seeing the truth right NOW, seeing that there is a great deal that is just NOT working in your life. You are not the same person that you were 6 months ago, and the strategies developed then will not serve you now. Currently, you are being overwhelmed by the enormity of how much dysfunction you are facing, and you are frozen in place. You fear losing ground, so you refuse to work with the change that has already occurred. If you do this you will waste valuable time trying to defend a beachhead that you have already lost, and you will make far less headway towards your new goals than you would have otherwise.

There is another option- give up the high ground. The marginal, quantified success that you have made at great cost to you over this last year has been hard fought, I know- But its not the way. It has come at such a cost because you were fighting the way to get here, and you thought you were overcoming the odds. You thought it was what you wanted, you thought it was for the best- You were wrong. If you can face that, and you can accept it, you can change and move forward in the right way.

You faced the call last year to throw your middle fingers up and walk the path alone, daring you yo  plunge into the unknown with no guarantees. It understandably terrified you, and you returned to safety, not knowing that you were running full-bore into a slow death, losing that precious progress that you had made. You went against your own best interest and acted against your own self-love. Of course, you didnt know this at the time- Now you do. The dysfunction you face is because of this, and it is also the solution to your problem: The areas in your life highlighted by the dysfunction you must correct by acting in your own best interest- By loving yourself first, and making the best choices accordingly, you will succeed. This will not be easy, and it will seem like you are surrendering. That is the fear mentality talking- Your fear of failure must be overcome here and now, because there is just no other way. Embrace what seems to be a failure, and fuck what everyone else thinks. Act in your own best interest, because you're going to die anyway- might as well be the one in the driver's seat!


Artemis Says: 

"You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger."  -Buddha

Talk about being on edge...  We are being told two contradictory things from this planet.  On one hand, we have the Saggo aspect urging us to move forward and start a new phase of our lives.  It is the turning of the seasons in many ways for us right now.  And then, on the other hand, Mars going into retrograde is telling us to HALT.  It's feels like we are pressing the gas and pressing the brakes at the same time.  It doesn't feel very pleasant, does it?

When Mars starts moving backwards in the sky (retrograde), we lose our vitality.  We are in the shadow period for Mars retrograde as I write this.  A looming silence is on the horizon, and it threatens to thwart all of our plans.  It is a pretty well known thing that anything initiated during Mars in retrograde will likely fizzle out.  Financial plans, new projects, romances, etc.  Mars rules sex and industry, so expect setbacks in both of these areas.  With Venus in sexfest Aries, this will bring very conflicting feelings.

Arguments are easy to come by during Mars retrograde.  Everyone is constantly a hair away from losing their shit, and the smallest things seem to annoy us.  Sounds aggravating, doesn't it?  This aspect is not only rough for your personal life, but it can create major rage fests in the political sphere as well.  With our current political climate, that doesn't sound very good.

We are going to want to change - be dying for it in fact.  But Mars is going to tell us NO.  Taurus season is coming, and we are going to need to slow the hot Aries energy.  The 4 of Swords tells us that people will withdraw and obsess (which will get even worse once the sun moves into uber obsessive Taurus).  We have a very hard full moon coming our way, and with Mars in this aspect, we are going to need to get as much healing done as possible.  This is a time to rest - both mentally and physically.  Be very delicate around those you love because the smallest annoyances can lead to giant flare ups.  Be kind to each other.  We are a long way from home and we are all we've got in this strange land.  

Cards:  The Wheel and 4 of Swords

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.

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?

Juno Retrograde in Scorpio- Forlorn

"I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain - and back in rain.
I have out-walked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night."
-Robert Frost

Allow me to reintroduce myself- I am Helios, aka the Astrogeek, and I am Minor Planet Astrologer extraordinaire. I completely understand how you may have forgotten this, as I haven't exactly been focusing on those fascinating facets lately. Well that ends today.

Juno, Queen of everything, ruler of relationships and being the unquestioned Empress, outranking everyone but her consort and the power behind the throne, is currently in Scorpio, descending into the underworld with the rest of the common folk. She is a refugee just like us at the moment, with her empire under siege.

So what is a Queen to do when she loses everything? Is she still a queen without her crown?

Damn straight she is.

That will be the lesson of this transit-Discovering who you are with all extraneous bullshit stripped away. Everything that you cling so hard to protect, the details of your life that you use as a crutch to frame your concept of who you are, is up on the chopping block; It will be ripped away from you. At that point you will have a choice- Crumble under the weight of the loss, or rise up, naked and unafraid. That choice will be yours, and yours alone, to make.

This is also an immense gift. The best part of this is that it is a Scorpio transit, so the end result is that you will be unburdened. You have been collecting unnecessary people in your life, and one by one they will slip through your fingers. This is a life preserver that the cosmos is flinging your way. Cling to your own company, and refuse to allow anyone to lessen you.

This is where you prove that you are worthy of your crown, so that you can reclaim your Throne. Show us what you are made of.

Morrigan Says:
Cards:  2 of Cups CROSSED BY 10 of Cups
Rune:  Inguz and Algiz

“Only when we know our solitude to be different from our loneliness
can we be whole enough to honor another’s place.” - Tyriel of Rune Secrets

I'm SO EXCITED about my first minor planet report.  And it's Juno!  What do I know about Juno?  Mostly that she had to deal with Jupiter's drunk ass (sorry, celestial daddy, please send money, k thanks xD).  So what's the lesson, Juno?  What are you trying to say to us in this retrograde you are making through lustful Scorpio?

We're holding ourselves back from happiness.  It's true.  You may try and fight me on that one, but that simple statement is the truth.  The lesson continues, and the stars seem to be expressing an urgent message to REALIZE what resources you have been given.  Please see what you have before it is taken or leaves.  Are you afraid that it wont be perfect?  Unfortunately, the idea of perfection is exactly what is holding us back from the REAL GOOD stuff.

What makes us great, what sets us a part from the pack, is the ability to utilize the world as a tool to get what we want.  Scorpio asks us - what do you DESIRE?  And once Scorpio desires something, she doesn't let go until she has it.  Internalize.  Retrogrades are retreats within.  Knowing what you want is as simple as meditating, listening to the expressions of your heart.

"Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings - always darker, emptier and simpler."  - Nietzsche

Shut your brain off.  What does that bastard beating in the center of your chest have to say - in it's own language?  Now make a plan.  You're going to get exactly what you want, you just need to get rid of all of the bullshit you pretend to want.  Yes, all the things that are really meaningless to you.  Yes, all the people who you pretend to have a good time with.  Yes, all of the career milestones you are doing for everyone else's sake.  Dig deep, and don't you dare lie to yourself.

Full Moon in Leo- Alarums and Excursions

Drama for your nerves, baby!! That has been the theme of this Full Moon, and it sure as hell made an entrance! Celebrities dropping like flies, political and economic drama, fights and flashpoints popping up all over the place- It’s enough to make anyone want to call it quits and schlump in the corner until it’s over! You’re not just anyone though. You have made it through worse than this, and you have greater challenges ahead. This is mundane by comparison and well within your ability to handle!

Morrigan: I title this reading "The Fox vs the Wolf:  Full moon in drama, 2016."  

SUN  Queen of Disks

MOON  Prince of Wands

MERCURY  6 of Disks

VENUS  Judgement (the Aeon)

MARS  Knight of Wands

JUPITER  Ace of Wands

SATURN  2 of Cups

URANUS  Ace of Cups

NEPTUNE  The Chariot

PLUTO  Queen of Cups

They call the full moon in January the "Wolf Moon", which is just perfect because we are definitely being circled by viscous, ego-maniac wolves right now. Get your spears out. We're going to need to keep these crazies at a distance using super sly, prince of wands Fox magic.

Let’s get to it, shall we?
The Sun, Moon and Venus- YAAAASS finally some of that good LEO energy, henny! After that (not quite as bad as you think it was) Saggo/Cap season, we are in AQUA, baby! Now we are fixing to turn the party! Before we can do that however, we need to contend with Venus, in Cap. The little issues and slights that were building in the last New Moon have come to a head in full force, and you can clearly see what needs to go in your life, plain as day. There is no compromise here, not anymore; you HAVE to overcome this before you can progress. The change can be made slowly, but you cannot allow your momentum to falter. Even if you only make small steps every day, these steps must be made. Some days you will do better than others. Accept this. Celebrate your victories and do not allow your defeats to stop you. You can wallow later; right now there is work to be done.

Morrigan: Oh boy, oh boy, my favorite time of year! What a friggin relief. We NEED the chilly, detached Aquarius sun to get us through all of this bombastic drama and emotional water works.  Here comes the weird, estranged loner. He is going to channel all of this energy and focus it around community and social change. This is a perfect time for activists to raise inspiration and emotional support for their cause. For the Aquarius sun I got the Queen of Disks. This will be our stabilizing force. She is water/earth energy, so she is earth mother. Gaia herself. We need to remember how to care for ourselves (and those we love), and the only way we can do this is by detaching from all of the lunacy around us. Pay attention to what matters. The Queen of Disks, and Aquarius, both remind us how important our independence is. In order to participate in the collective, you must be able to stand on your own two feet first. You need to learn the healthy dance between caring for yourself and caring for your community (back to that Mercury 6 of disks energy). This queen reminds us to be caring and compassionate (which Aquarius truly is), but to also tend to our own kingdom and possessions (be they physical things, ideas, or feelings). Leo moons are supposed to be fun.They are generally festive and jovial, but this one is like showing up to a party and running into your ex and their gaggle of loud, drunk friends. What I pulled for the moon is Prince of Wands. That's some showy shit. When I look at this card in this position, I am getting the mental image of a lot of people running around displaying their "talents" openly and demanding respect and attention for it.  Yeah.  It's going to be fucking annoying. You're going to see a lot of soap boxes, but remember what I told you about boxes on the Capricorn new moon- BURN THEM TO THE GROUND. There IS a real message that is trying to come through, but you're going to have to wade through a lot of "false prophets" first. *But once you see it, you will know it.* The people who are channeling the inspiration you will need to guide your evolution - who are speaking the information that is going to help you breathe some real life into this emotional hell of a time - are going to glow like fire. This card can be associated with the fox spirit. There is a playful trickery going on, but if you are worthy - if strategy is your game - you are going to navigate your way through this storm and into some truly inspirational stuff. Leo is the eternal flame of the heart. The light at the end of the tunnel. The defibrillator. And we really need some of this shit because that last Capricorn new moon sucked the life out of us. We are worn out, bleeding from the gut on the battle field, taking our last breath when finally *AAAHHHH* a hot as hell medic comes running our way flipping their hair like fucking Baywatch. In this card, the Prince is being pulled by a lion, Leo himself it seems. This lion is going to carry us out of here, and he is going FAST so catch him while you can and keep your eyes open at all times for his presence. This is a time for light bulb moments. This is the time for connecting the dots and finally seeing the whole picture - everything come full circle. So, put on your diamond encrusted stilettos (the obvious weapon choice for this full moon) and fight your way through the dramatic, viscous shit while looking fabulous. Realize that everyone is playing their "role" on crack right now. Like full on cartoon depictions of their personalities, so this is also the perfect time to learn the ways of the cunning fox (the Prince of Wands is Fire/Air energy, so think witty, quick, poetic, on the go inspiration). I have officially warned you about the drama, you most definitely see/feel it, so use it to learn a valuable lesson about human social interactions. This is the sharpening of your weapons, this is where you learn cunning so you can do battle with the emotional siege from the Uranus-Pluto square. We got Judgement for Venus. I don't particularly like the sound of that, but we really did need some sort of restraint. She will be in Capricorn at the time of the full moon and will probably try as hard as possible to get the party out the door before bed time. She is reminding us of our values. She is telling us to keep Karma in mind and not to slip into some sort of drunken coma from our Leo influenced escapades. She is the designated driver, the responsible friend who is going to hold our hair as we throw up (all the while complaining loudly about how we should have stayed home in the first place). She's probably going to be a horrible, bleating wing man, so forget about her amping up Leo's romantic qualities. She's here to remind us of everything we have going on - remember your values - remember your goals - remember where the fuck we are going because we can't go all Party Monster and end up making a mistake we can't go back on. Remember, Venus is victory, so she is really looking out for our win in the end. Take her lesson to heart. Venus is giving us some reigns on the situation so use them for everyone's sake (especially your own).
Mercury, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto- Okay, yes; at first glance this is some scary Astro. It is certainly cold, calculating Astro that suffers no fools! It’s also exactly what you need right now. It’s time to make big moves and tough calls, and nothing says mega-transformative like this Astro.  Whatever you are trying to beat, can be overcome RIGHT NOW, if you are willing to make it happen. It will be easier than ever, but you must put in the work. Sure you will have distractions, and shit that tries to trip you up, but stay focused and you will be able to beat anything. All it takes is the effort. Prioritize your goals and ignore all else.

Morrigan: PLEASE GODS MAKE IT END, PLEASE MAKE IT END. Mercury is 6 of Disks in this reading, which is associated with moon in Taurus energy. 6 of disks is all about knowing how much to give, knowing what to give, and knowing how to give it (yum hehehe). There are a lot of people vocally demanding a piece of you right now, left and right, with viscous words in tow. They think they DESERVE something of yours, and you're stuck in a crap situation because you gave too much. You just fed the stray animals and they are coming back, night after night, demanding food when you don't even have enough scraps to put on your own table. There has been a wave of exploitation and depression that has hit the collective unconscious (I hope you all rode that Capricorn wave well and ended up getting some good foot holds), but at least we're actually talking about it now. You need to know when enough is enough, and you have to put that remaining energy of yours into the relationships that are truly symbiotic. The God Mercury [Astrogeek starts twitching uncontrollably] carried the caduceus which heals the sick and brings the dead to life. The caduceus can also kill the living if Mercury pleases, so, in other words, we're at this fucker's mercy. As much as it has sucked, the lessons of this retrograde were probably needed. There was something that we really had to hear that we heard; some truth exposed that will allow us to better trade our ideas with others. We learned some sort of strange, emotional economic system. This entire explosive display of ego really humbled us, and now we are ready to go back to truly sharing. Saturn is square Neptune, which is challenging us with self defeatist energy. For Saturn I got the 2 of cups, or Cancer in Venus energy. You're going to need a lot of love right now. Structure some time with people you care about in your life, because things are heavy and emotional as hell at the moment. Build love into your life as a routine, and by that I mean actually set time aside to be with people who give you warmth.  You're going to need all the self love and friend love that you can get. Surround yourself with Cancer type people who will hide under the covers with you and make you hot cocoa. Honestly, it will make a world of difference. Hang out with your tribe (remember, the people you are in symbiotic relationships with). They are your life blood and emotional support you will need. You will get through this. The self doubt is crippling, but everything you need is right at your fingertips.  Love yourself. Build that love. Build yourself up with love. Make love the bones - the structure - that holds you up. Hearts all around, love is the law. Ace of cups for Uranus in Aries while it squares the hell out of Mercury. Ugh I'm so sorry- This is just adding to the emotional, verbal outbursts people are having. Crazy emotional cups overflowing in the planet of crazy. But this could also be a positive time for inspiration. With all of these overwhelming emotions + Aries energy, we could really start communicating things that really need to be communicated. Don't sacrifice the self. Stop letting everyone steal your thunder. You are the thunder! This is a time of emotional transformation. It's better to drink from the cup and get drunk on the inspiration around us than drown in it. So start swimming. The wolves are going to nip at your tender heart strings, but use the sun in Aquarius to chilly detach, and then pounce like the cunning fox. You desire change, especially emotional change, so act on it. The potential for transformation is there. For Pluto I pulled the Queen of Cups (water/water energy), and she is squaring Uranus in Ace of Cups. There is GREAT emotional transformation happening, and there is a lot of fire stoking it. Essentially, we are boiling. This Queen of Cups is reminding me that all of this squaring off between Uranus and Pluto is making us far more emotionally evolved. We are going to become the rock in the stream, not bothered by it's passage over us. We are learning all of our emotional lessons, and even though all of this fire and water is making us crazy, a lot of light will be shed on what has been held and repressed inside of us. We are getting rid of our emotional weaknesses. We may be in the dark underworld of emotions at this moment in time, but, as Carl Jung stated, the tree that grows to heaven must have it's roots deep in hell. Cry. Let it out. Tell people how you really feel. It will transform you for the better.  
Mars and Neptune- Weird energy here. In one way, it works to insulate you from the outer bullshit that threatens to drag you down- In another way it drowns your enthusiasm and puts you into a sort of dream state, where your cognitive dissonance allows you to be completely unbothered by everything on an emotional level. The way to use this is to fully embrace the Flazedah nature and sleepwalk through the hell around you, but not to stop moving. It’s like sleepwalking on Ambien, and it’s the pro strat here.

Morrigan: Mars is playing off of Knight (King) of Wands energy. Holy shit. With Mars trine Neptune, we are in a time of illusions. No one is who they seem, and sexual energy has run rampant (and sexier than ever). It's magic time, and we are getting a great re-charge of spiritual inspiration.  There is a clear warning here. With the "glamouring" coming from the Leo moon coupled with the "glamouring" radiating off of Mars and Neptune, we have to really be able to separate the fakers from the real deal. Stay cunning. Remember your advice this moon is to "be the fox among wolves." Mars square the Moon will clash Prince with Knight, so I can guarantee there will be some intense drama.  People are guaranteed to get explosive, and fast, and you have to be wily to get your way out of it. The moon is how we protect ourselves, and knowing how to perform the appropriate role at the right time is going to be what saves you this moon. Don't forget to learn your lines or to follow the fox spirit. The Mars trine Neptune is giving us a lot of courage right now (probably delusional courage, but whatever), so USE IT. Also, I see sexy times. A lot of sexy times. Hell yes, the Chariot! The chariot is all about conquest and overcoming oppression. We need to get the reigns on this Neptune and ride it like a charioteer. Pisces in Neptune may bring a lot of illusion into the world, but it also brings a lot of spirituality and insight. There is magic everywhere, truly, and we have to battle our way through this drama and hold on to the little bubble of hope we have found. You may be getting some intense messages through your dreams right now, so pay attention. You might just get the code/plans/instructions you are looking for. The Chariot is represented by Cancer, and the charioteer must be able to flow around the battle like a raging river in order to gain their victory. Pisces being in Neptune gives us this much needed slippery quality (again, a need to be slippery like the fox).  
      
Jupiter- Saving the best for last! Even though Jupiter is retrograde, this is SUPER amazing Astro. He is conjunct the North Node and making all sort of fun aspects to the minor planets. So, this is where these super bold plans for your future are coming from. Roll with them, write them down, fully realize them as much as possible before you act on them. This is not the time for action, but you are too full of ideas and plots to not explore them. Just refrain from jumping off too quickly- Plot before you jump, but you most certainly are going to make a flying leap, and soon! The goal right now, with this Astro, is to know where you are going first.

Morrigan: Don't sleep on Jupiter. He has been telling me he is up to more than we think he is, even if he is in restrained Virgo. The Virgo just means he's planning. The Virgo means he has been plotting something obsessively (philosophically as well, so lots of logical diagrams), and has finally had a eureka moment. He's ace of wands in this reading, so we have a lot of empowerment of the self (which plays well with the Leo energy). Don't forget who you are, and don't forget your highest ideals. They really are the fire that is lighting your way - your literal torch. This is a good time to formulate a creative way for self expression, and with Virrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgo being a Mercurial sign, you have all of the potential in the world to communicate your ideals in a very inspirational, creative way right now.  Jesus, can I say inspirational enough in this reading [Astrogeek: Probably not as many times as you made a fox pun!]? Anyway, hold on to hope. It's there, I promise. You're about to find a way to express your highest ideals into your daily life, it's just at it's budding process (aces are beginnings) so don't snuff out the flame on accident. Believe in it and stoke it. This is the time to meld the big picture with the details - which brings on the eureka moment. So, in summation, my advice is this:  "Be the Fox" is your mantra. They may be surrounding us, but we're smarter, hotter, and master illusionists.