Hot Spotlight on July!

Hot Sun in July. Copyright Catherine Goshen 2017

Dear Friends

As the energies begin to build here for the summer, the challenge is on to institute a change in your daily routine. With the New Moon just past in Cancer and the Full Moon approaching in Capricorn (July 9), we are asked to find the balance between nurturing our home selves and our work selves.

No-one said it would be easy! Ancient astrologers understood the special relationship between the Moon (ruler of Cancer) and Saturn (ruler of Capricorn). While the Moon (moist, receptive, emotional) and Saturn (dry, authoritative, indifferent) appear to have nothing in common, nevertheless, they are both the markers of Time in the zodiac. How do you balance time in your life?

This July, you might find yourself making extra time in the morning for quiet reflection – without your cell phone for company. Or you may feel compelled to stand outside in the evenings and look at the starry skies – pondering on your place in the cosmos. Emboldened, you may make a crucial decision to change your attitude toward the irritations that seem to plague your life right now. One small change can start a revolution.

There’s a tremendous amount of energy around this month just waiting for somewhere to go. Try to use it well by taking stock of your current situation and then planning your time wisely.

July 9: Full Moon at 17 degrees of Capricorn. The Moon is conjunct Pluto and in opposition to the applying Sun-Mars conjunction in Cancer. Potentially explosive or ground-breaking physical and emotional feats – you decide. Avoid political debate or family arguments and take a hike!

Mid-July: Uranus, planet of break-through and radical change squares off with war-veteran Mars – avoid conflict, practice random acts of loving kindness, and find constructive ways to let off steam

July 23: Sun moves into Leo and joins Mars there with a potent New Moon – time to shine and lead by active example

July 26: Mercury moves into Virgo – prepare to clean out those closets!

May the Sun shine upon you, always,
Catherine

Mandale fragment. Copyright Catherine Goshen 2016

 

 

Astrology Update for June 2017

Sunlight through the trees in summer. Copyright Catherine Goshen 2017

Dear Friends

June looks to bring some cosmic relief! For those of us who feel like we’ve been going over the same ground since November last year (especially those born in early October, or who have personal planets around 13 degrees of the cardinal signs), things will at last move forward and we’ll be in a position to receive the rewards and abundance we’ve all been hoping for.

You’ve been toying with the idea of having a party to celebrate life – June 9 and 10 are the perfect days! Mercury, planet of communication, will be smiling on this weekend and your guests will be in their chattiest outfits. Venus, planet of social harmony and beauty, will be at ease and the earthy joys of good food & wine will flow. Bountiful Jupiter will at last be moving forward into his final stretch through the sign of Libra and optimism will be back in fashion. And with the full moon in Sagittarius (June 9), we might find ourselves philosophizing the night away…

At this full moon we are also asked to pause and give thanks for all the learning and inspiration that we’ve received from our spiritual teachers, past and present.

June 21 marks the summer solstice here in the northern hemisphere. This is the traditional time of honoring the Sun, our Source of light and life. It is harvest time, a time of fertility and heat, when the Sun appears to stand still in the sky and the day seems to last forever. A great day for a wedding!

Petals like confetti - the solstice is a traditional time for weddings. Copyright Catherine Goshen 2017

The chart drawn for the Sun’s Ingress into the sign of Cancer is often used by astrologers to see ahead for the next few months. In the above chart, note the alignment of Venus in her rulership with the Moon exalted in Taurus, and the Sun’s contact with dignified Mercury in Gemini, all of which create a favorable climate. However Neptune on the Ascendant in New York State suggests that nothing is as it seems, so don’t believe everything you read in the news. Jupiter’s square with Mars in Cancer reminds us to look for solutions to obstacles using a “glass-half-full” mindset.

Sun's Ingress into Cancer, June 2017, Chart set for New York. Copyright Catherine Goshen 2017

Happy Solstice! Happy Summer!

May the Sun shine upon you,
Catherine

Solar Once-over: Astrology Update for May

Sun shining in Taurus strength through the blossoms. Copyright Catherine Goshen 2017

With the pace of life quickening exponentially, let’s check in this month with your Sun sign!

CARDINAL SIGNS

Aries, you’re feeling the push for ever-increasing independence and risk-taking at work. Yet home and family slow you down which may act as a blessing in disguise. Keep moving forward but ground each step in thorough research before taking action. Cancer, this is the month to reach out to friends and talk about your relationship. There are challenges here which won’t go away unless you address them. You’ll be amazed at the support you receive. Libra, you’re frustrated by power struggles at home. Try a fresh approach. The trick this month is to keep moving forward with hard work because it’ll pay off very soon. Capricorn, you have from now until the end of August to make the changes sorely needed in your life. Go for it! This heavy cycle will pass soon.

FIXED SIGNS

Taurus, Happy Birthday! You’ve had so many creative ideas brewing since January and they’re all starting to manifest now. Your most fruitful time will be in June but keep sowing these seeds and envisioning how you want your work to grow this year. Leo, your energy is taken up with your work this month – and, hopefully, some travel is on the cards too! With all the strategizing that’s been going on, you need more than ever to make time to relax. Scorpio, it might feel as if your partner is on a different wavelength to you right now. They are! So turn your attention to adjusting the areas of your life which could do with a little makeover. You won’t be disappointed in the outcome, especially if you focus on improving communications. Aquarius, finances feel a little blurry right now. Spend time this month clarifying monies going in and out. Your reward? A clearer budget and time in the second half of May to focus on creative pursuits. Yes!

MUTABLE SIGNS

Gemini, your energy is returning this month as you pursue your goals with greater focus after May 7. If something is bothering you at work it’s not the time to act. Rather, stay in touch with what matters most to you as you plan your mid-year break. Virgo, finances look good as do work opportunities – be open to what comes your way. Things will begin to move forward for you in the later part of the month. Sagittarius, you’ve been feeling overstretched and under-appreciated for a while now. The end is in site because you’ve already learnt the lesson. So allow this month flow – everything is set in place – all you need to do is show up. Pisces, it seems as if transformative events are happening in your close friendships. There are new opportunities to connect both for work and for pleasure this month as long as you can overcome your reluctance to put yourself out there.

May the Sun shine upon you,
Catherine

Telescope for star-gazing - summer sky is coming soon! Copyright Catherine Goshen 2017

May 10: Full Moon at 20 degrees of Scorpio

May 3: Mercury stations direct at 24 degrees of Aries

May 17: Mercury moves into Taurus

May 21: Sun moves into Gemini

May 25: New Moon at 4 degrees of Gemini

Astrology Update for April: Transforming Ideas into Actions

New Growth in Spring

Dear Friends,

There’s so much to look forward to!

The Aries New Moon on Monday night (10:57pm, March 27, New York time) will set the tone for the month of April. Make time to write down your intentions and plans for the month. Wake up early on Tuesday morning with everything in place. How will you begin?

Allow new impressions of yourself to filter in as the week goes by – can you embrace the courage of your convictions and act on them? New thoughts and bold actions so often require a leap of faith. Ask yourself honestly when last you stretched beyond your comfort zone. Then translate the answer into an action plan and follow it through.

Planetary influences this month support focusing on your own needs, on seminal ideas, and on creative projects. And it won’t hurt to spend some time alone nurturing these.

May the Sun shine upon you,

Catherine

 

March 27: New Moon at 7 Aries

April 6: Saturn stations retrograde at 27 degrees Sagittarius

April 9: Mercury stations retrograde at 4 Taurus

April 11: Full Moon at 21 Libra

April 15: Venus stations direct at 26 Pisces

April 20: Pluto stations retrograde at 19 Capricorn

 

Astrology Update for March: Through the Looking Glass

 

 

Dear Friends,

March seems the very best month to let your mad hatter out to play. There is a contrary blend of planetary energies which favors an upside down perspective and the ability to laugh at your own quirks.

This is not the month for a beauty make-over, for finally decorating the kids’ room, or for introducing those two people who you just know will get along. Neither is it the month for finally jumping out of an airplane to conquer your fears. Rather, take this water-fire blend of soulfully explosive energies and allow yourself to jump through your own looking glass – only you know where it is.

The secret this March is not to be too attached to the results of your labors. Take yourself less seriously. And think twice before you text it; some things are better left unsaid.

There is an indication that everything will work out fine in the end. ‘All’s well that ends well’, as the Bard reminds us.

May the Sun shine upon you,
Catherine

 

March 4: Venus stations retrograde at 13 Aries

March 11 – April 20: Venus and Mars will dance in each other’s signs

March 12: Full Moon at 22 Virgo; Daylight Saving Time begins at 02h00 on the East Coast. Spring ahead!

March 20: Spring Equinox (Northern hemisphere): Sun moves into 0 Aries

March 27: New Moon at 7 Aries

April 15: Venus stations direct at 26 Pisces

Astrology Update for February: Activating Mars

Red Berries on Grey, Copyright Catherine Goshen

Dear Friends,

How are you faring?

February 2017 is an auspicious time to initiate action in the areas of your chart ruled by Mars. Shrug off fear as you stride forward with courage to accomplish your goals. Work with Mars while he travels through Aries, one of the signs he rules and is most comfortable in.

Mars is the natural significator of our energy levels. Some early associations linked to this planet are malevolent strife, courage, and the sheer joy of battle. Those of you with a strong Mars will understand the need for continuous striving and ongoing challenges in order to feel alive. Those of you with a challenged Mars might fear strife and be unable to express negativity, causing it to fester.

Mars from Abu Maʿshar’s treatise on Astrology, British library

Mars rules Aries (by day) and Scorpio (by night). Mars is exalted in the sign of Capricorn, in detriment in Libra and Taurus, and in fall in Cancer. Here we see Mars with the Ram (Aries) and the Scorpion (Scorpio) from a 14th century manuscript (Abu Maʿshar’s treatise on Astrology, British library)

We associate Mars with the root chakra and grounding, and a Mars under pressure in a chart often shows where we lacked grounding in the early home. A lack of roots, sometimes manifesting as a literal lack of a secure home or a childhood characterized by many moves, often leads to a lack of energy in life as an adult. Unconscious fears leave their trace and the adult finds him or herself suffering physical illnesses or security concerns (such as those surrounding a lack of money).

You immediately recognize those who have a healthy Mars: they live without fear, seem to radiate energy, and are always on a mission, excited by what life has to offer.

This month is the perfect time to energize your Mars through setting and fulfilling personal goals. As Mars will be dancing with his consort, Venus, for most of the month, we can focus on aligning our actions with our hearts. But be cautious with what your heart desires, as Venus is not happy in the sign that Mars rules.

Týr, the Norse god of heroic glory and the law. With thanks to Pinterest.

Týr is the Norse god of heroic glory and the law, who gave his right hand in battling the wolf Fenir. Týr represents courage and self-sacrifice and is associated with Mars in the interpretatio germanica. Tuesday (“Týr’s Day”) is named after him.

At the end of February there will be a very strong energetic push forward as Mars meets up with Uranus, Jupiter and Pluto (see last month’s post). Avoid rebellion and rivalry while using these planetary forces to accomplish great things. You can do it – and you will!

May the Sun shine upon you,
Catherine

smallmoon

Full Moon, lunar eclipse: February 11 at 22 Leo;
New Moon, solar eclipse: February 26 at 8 Pisces

There is a lot written on the Internet at this time about the eclipse season that is now upon us. Please note that all eclipses are only truly note-worthy if you have a planet or angle in your natal chart that is directly contacted by an eclipse.

Astrology Update for January 2017

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

January looks off to a good start: a slow first week to get us into the groove of 2017, with the pace gradually quickening as Mercury moves direct and exits its post-shadow phase by the end of the month.

We have lots of exciting Jupiter-Uranus activity this year, which will impact all of us. The Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) will be especially reactive. For those of you with birthdays around the 8th to 14th of April, July, October and January, things are really happening in your life! The positive side of Jupiter-Uranus is quick and unexpected ideas and (often travel) plans, while the challenge is to avoid exaggeration and over-reactive responses. And with Pluto in the mix, all of us, but in particular those with planets or angles in the 16 to 20 degree Cardinal sign range, will experience the need to let go in order to grow.

The Mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces might be feeling the regulatory effects of Saturn at this time (especially those of you born in the latter half of your sign), as well as the idealistic dreams of Neptune (in particular those born around the turn of the month). How much you have all accomplished in 2016! Remember this as you focus on what you want for 2017. And use January to set these dreams in place. There will be lots of support from friends old and new – don’t hesitate to reach out to them!

The Fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, keep doing whatever you’re doing as it seems to be working out for you. Taurus, move forward with your plans this month and work hard until March, when a break will be in order. Leo, there’s a lot of opportunities out there for you this month but you need to grab them with your own two hands. Scorpio and Aquarius, bide your time until February.

For all of us, whatever our birth date and time, the key is on staying grounded and using the energies of early 2017 in a practical and non-extravagant way. Think twice before you spend; planning now will reap rewards later in the year.

On a different note, I’d like to encourage all of you, my readers, to make some kind of commitment this year to setting aside time to read and think deeply. We are living in the Instagram and Facebook age, where most Internet users can hardly sustain their attention to ingest an email longer than a few lines. As Richard Tarnas in ‘Cosmos and Psyche’ so aptly describes the gestalt of our times:

“Whether in politics, business, or the media, the lowest common denominator of the culture increasingly governs discourse and prescribes the values of the whole.”

Create an intellectual, innovative or spiritual reading list which you actively pursue this year.

With love and light for a positive 2017!!

May the Sun shine upon you,
Catherine

 

Astrology Update for December 2016

 

Mandala ISAR 2016. Copyright Catherine Goshen 2016

 

Dear Friends,

December is a special month astrologically and many of the holiday festivals we celebrate at this time of year are deeply rooted in our ancestors’ worship of the Sun’s light.

Wednesday, December 21, heralds our winter solstice, when we mark the end of the longest night and give thanks for the Sun’s return. Our southern hemisphere cousins celebrate their summer solstice on this day, marking the end of their longest day. For all of us, north and south, the Sun will be at zero degrees of the sign of Capricorn on this day. Make time for quiet morning reflection, watching the Sun rise over mountain, ocean or skyline.

Winter Solstice Chart December 2016 New York. Copyright Catherine Goshen

Note the powerful cardinal energy at the solstice with Pluto-Mercury (serious thought) squared by Jupiter (gains) and Uranus (sudden change).

But before this turning point of our solar year, we have three weeks of exuberant Sagittarian energy to enjoy! Have fun celebrating the season. Make an effort to listen to other’s opinions and to tolerate different points of view.

The Full Moon on December 14 falls on a Wednesday – even so, it’s a perfect day for an office party or friends’ get-together as the talk will surely flow! On Monday, December 19, Mars moves into Pisces, the same day that Mercury stations retrograde. All that this means is that you might be less productive after this date so try to do your holiday shopping early this year. You might also try to keep your schedule pretty clear after December 20 and use this time for genuine relaxation.

The Moon is void most of the day on December 25. Throw structure to the winds! Relax (there’s that word again) and let go!

Thursday, December 29, heralds in the New Moon at 7 degrees of Capricorn so set your intentions before the New Year begins.

Wishing you all peace over the holidays. And thank you for your wonderful support this year.

May the Sun shine upon you,
Catherine

Mandale fragment. Copyright Catherine Goshen 2016

 

Mercury: from Casual Conversation to Cogitation

 Mercury Statue next to Metlife in New York City. Copyright Catherine Goshen, March 2016

The planet Mercury shows us how we think best. The ancients understood Mercury to be ‘the thinking soul’ while 17th century master astrologer William Lilly saw it to represent thought as ‘awareness’. Thought, perception, communication… Mercury reflects our mindset and entire thinking apparatus including our nervous system, which binds the brain to the body.

Traditionally neuter (neither male nor female), Mercury takes on the characteristics of the planet to which it is closest. In fact, Mercury can never be found more than one sign (or 28 degrees) from the Sun. Check your own chart! You either have Mercury in the same sign as your Sun, or in one of the signs adjacent to it. Your core identity (Sun) is linked to how you perceive the world (Mercury). Just think about that! If you change the way you perceive the world, profound identity changes may result…

If you have Mercury in either of the signs it rules, Gemini or Virgo, you’re more often than not a logical thinker. The sign of Gemini brings out the communicative and rational side of Mercury (think of the winged messenger of the gods in Greek myth), while Virgo brings Mercury’s discriminative and knowledge gathering qualities to the fore. Mercury not only rules but is also exalted (“honored”) in Virgo. This makes it strong but may cause it to operate inconsistently (and nervous tension often results).

Mercury placed in a sign opposite one of the signs it rules, in Sagittarius and Pisces, feels as if it’s in a foreign land and is said to be detrimented. In Sagittarius Mercury can be inspirational and quick – too quick sometimes! In watery Pisces Mercury may wander, struggling with an A to Z linear approach. People with these Mercury placements do well in vocations which require thinking outside of the box.

Where’s your Mercury? Is it in an earth, air, fire or water sign? Does it lend you to be subtle, elegant and discrete, or a boaster, a prattler and a tale-carrier (Lilly)? Does it serve your core identity, helping you to perceive the world and align it with your will? Or is it in a different sign to your Sun, giving you a multi-dimensional approach to your awareness?

Let’s talk!

November Election Forecast Report

November Void of Course Mystery. Copyright 2016 Catherine Goshen

Dear Friends,

november2016chart

I recently returned from Costa Mesa, California where I attended the ISAR (International Society for Astrological Research) Conference. One of the highlights was the presidential panel hosted at the Opening where international astrologers presented their predictions for the upcoming United States election to be held on November 8. I’d like to share the spirit of this evening with you.

Internationally respected author, teacher and consultant Edith Hathaway used Vedic techniques to look at the past, present and future of the US elections and the potential of the candidates. Her forecast: Hillary will take the Whitehouse.

Aleksandar Imsiragic, director of the Johannes Kepler Institute for Astrological Research and Education in Belgrade, used some exciting techniques including progressing the chart of George Washington to the day of the upcoming US election. His forecast: Hillary is the favorite to win.

Ema Kurent, respected Slovenian astrologer and author, marshalled traditional predictive techniques to make her forecast. Eclipse, new and full moon charts with tight (1 degree) orbs were her focus. Her forecast: Hillary looks set for victory.

Christeen Skinner, well-known English astrologer and author of ‘The Financial Universe’, used among her techniques the Aries Ingress chart and the chart for the 2017 Presidential Inauguration. Her forecast: Hillary is the favorite to win the popular vote.

Turkish astrologer Hakan Kirkoglu and Montreal astrologer Nick Dagan Best also used their unique tool boxes to look into the future of the United States. Their forecasts? Hillary trumps Trump.

I found it fascinating that six such divergent astrologers, each using different forecasting tools, came up with the same result: it is highly likely that Hillary Clinton will be the next US president. However, there was warning about a possible recount and confusion over some very closely contested areas. Will you vote?

May the Sun shine upon you,
Catherine

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