NorthPoint Journal

NorthPoint Astrology Journal for August 18 to 24, 2008

Highlighted Aspects for This Week

Monday: Jupiter trine Vesta Tuesday: Mars enters Libra, Ceres enters Leo Wednesday: Jupiter sesquisquare Sun, Chiron quincunx Venus, Chiron quincunx Mercury, Pluto trine Sun Thursday: Venus conjunct Mercury, Pluto sesquisquare Vesta Friday: Uranus contraparallel Mercury, Sun enters Virgo, Uranus opposite Mercury Saturday: Uranus opposite Venus, Chiron sesquisquare Mars, Neptune inconjunct Mercury Sunday: Uranus contraparallel Venus, Neptune inconjunct Venus

The cosmic dust has been stirred, and we are in the process of assimilating the new perspectives being offered. Life seems somehow different as we look out from the inside -- although perhaps others viewing us from the outside might perceive little change in our daily routines and countenance.

As the saying goes, "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood, carry water." Or, as another Zen proverb puts it: "After enlightenment, the laundry."

Not to assume that we're now fully enlightened, of course. But the shift is palpable, and on many levels we know we are different.

The symbolism of the swimming feats at the Olympics reflects for us the changes underway for humanity. We can shrug off the many new world records as attributed to the high-tech fabric now being used in the swimwear, and we can see Michael Phelps and his eight gold medals as a unique phenomenon. But that perspective takes us only to the surface level, and we're learning to go deeper than that.

As a species, we are also donning new garb, better suited for successfully navigating the emotional waters of the Earth plane. And through our training and efforts, we have the ability to exceed even our own hopes and expectations. 

Astrology teaches us to view life symbolically. Planets in our birth charts simultaneously represent both internal and external aspects of our reality. The natal Moon shows us the condition of our emotional selves, but it also reveals something about how we experience our mothers and other women in our lives, as well as what we need in our physical home -- the feminine, nurturing principle projected outward.

Astrological concepts naturally lead us to look at all of life as representing the inner journey. We start to see physical manifestations as extensions of the beliefs and emotions we hold within, and everything that occurs externally becomes fuel for self-awareness and growth.

Some of those beliefs that have created unwanted experiences are being held up to the light of new awareness now. Pluto is rototilling his way backward through the final degrees of Sagittarius, digging out the remaining roots of negative thought patterns initially unearthed during 2007.

Events of that year can be dissected now, from this place of distance in time and space, to see how they reflected the beliefs we held, perhaps on very unconscious levels. We have dealt with much on the physical plane; now is our time to understand and take that awareness forward.

This internal work continues through November 11 of this year, when Pluto finally exits Sagittarius, not to return for another couple of centuries. But Pluto's influence is especially strong now as he slows to change direction on September 8, so we will be working in our belief gardens in earnest for the next few weeks. 

And, given Pluto's renewed proximity to the Galactic Center now through mid-October, we can expect that we will be assisted in that work by cosmic forces that are for the most part still beyond our everyday comprehension. The Galactic Center represents our evolutionary directive to expand beyond the confines of a purely human perspective -- so the "belief weeds" we uproot now will leave fertile soil for expanded awareness in the months and years to come.

A Pluto-Sun aspect on Wednesday of this week will assist us in this work of purging, and supply opportunities for us to find creative ways in which to accomplish our task.

And so, even while we have a sense that things have shifted, we continue to chop wood, carry water and do the laundry. Mercury and Venus are traveling companions in Virgo throughout this week, keeping us focused on the practical aspects of organizational projects and relationships, and making sure we take care of all the necessary details.

Midweek, however, the two meet up with Chiron, indicating some discomfort when things don't unfold quite as perfectly as expected. Attitude adjustments will be needed for the resolution of minor irritations. We may be more aware than usual of our needs for companionship, and equally aware of our compulsion to "fix" others merely because they are different from us. These Chiron connections create opportunities for us to heal the ways in which we typically relate and communicate with others, by helping us be aware of the distance we create through judgments -- and equally aware of the bridges made when we apply understanding.

On Friday and Saturday, Uranus both opposes and contraparallels Mercury and Venus. These interactions require us to be adaptable and willing to discard schedules and plans based on new information -- especially information that is gained through the heart and spirit rather than through the mind.

These are not life-as-usual aspects, but rather push us in new directions and help us be aware of the need for flexibility. Be openminded and pay particular attention to your intuitive urgings at week's end. There are gifts to be unwrapped and enjoyed -- we may merely need to look in unexpected places to find them.

Blessings,

Pam

Parts 1 and 2 of my article discussing the Neptune-Chiron-Jupiter alignment of May 2009 are now available. Although written specifically for those born September 1954 through August 1956, these articles contain information that should be useful for everyone. If you would like to receive a PDF copy of the articles, please e-mail pam@northpointastrology.com with the subject line: May 2009 Alignment.

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