It’s wine o clock on a Friday afternoon here in a very soggy Sydney.

I am sipping on a glass of pinot gris from the Yarra Valley, and inhaling the fumes from fresh enamel paint. The Moon is in Pisces, Mercury is about to wheel and deal his way out of Capricorn and I have just committed to the challenge to end all challenges.

This time next week my tipple of choice will be a sparling mineral water, in a wine glass with a touch of lime. You see, I am doing “FebFast” and sending grog on a month long holiday.

Here in Australia, we don’t have a great relationship with alcohol- many of us are just a tad to attached to it, some have real problems and some are just plain ugly with it- as anyone who has witnessed the bronzed Aussie in all his glory somewhere on a beach holiday in Asia over the summer holidays.

Whilst I think the cause is a brilliant one, my reasons for doing this are purely selfish- the funds that are raised are a by-product:

• After way too many Bintangs in Bali (see my earlier comment about the Aussie abroad) I came back from holidays the heaviest I have ever been. Beer and I love each other dearly, but he is not a great influence on either my resolve or my tummy.
• One of my resolutions this year is to challenge myself and push myself outside my comfort zone. As a triple Pisces sometimes the sheer emotional weight of the stuff I feel sends me to the fridge and temporary escape. Whilst all my Pluto means that I am too much of a control freak to ever lose control, I do need to learn how to confront the things that scare me.
• Another of my resolutions is to spend the next few months getting healthy again, and this fits into that beautifully.
• Neptune is about to move into Pisces. I figure this will add even more Piscean-ness to my Pisces and water overload. Now is probably a time to add a few more boundaries, (Ok, a few boundaries) to my life.
• I’ve made a bet with someone, accompanied by comments like “how hard can it be?” and “reckon I can last longer than you”.

Now, before you go thinking that I will become born again, I do not intend abstaining for longer than the allocated month.  My Trainer rather unkindly suggested that people who do FebFast do it because they can’t manage the extra few days of Dry July. He has a point.

For medical astrologers, Neptune rules alcohol, as it does other chemical poisons such as nicotine. Alcohol deceives the body into thinking of it as a sugar substitute and, in the process deceives our metabolism and trust me, my metabolism doesn’t need any more deceiving.

The worst part of this, from my viewpoint, is that the body uses ethyl alcohol (fermented sugar) as an energy supply before it uses glucose (its’ preferred energy source) and before it uses stored fats. This means that my daily workout is pretty well just burning off the previous nights drinks and not much else.

After reading Sweet Poison by David Gillespie early last year, I gave up sugar. The research was overwhelming. The culprit is fructose, the sugar that occurs naturally in fruits, and less naturally in pretty well anything we eat that is processed. When I first read this I was thrilled to see that wine, spirits, champagne and beer are low in fructose, but the toll on the liver is heavy.

More recent research is showing that the metabolism of ethanol (fermented sugar) is actually much the same as the metabolism of fructose after all. That same research is also showing that the brain recognises artificial sugars (also ruled by Neptune) as being sweet, so sends the same messages out for insulin.

I had very little problem with giving up sugar (presumably because I actually don’t eat much that is processed or sweetened and also because I continued to drink my wine). I suspect, though, that I may struggle more with FebFast.

The Moon rules our habits and mine is in Pisces, trine Jupiter in the 5^th and also trine Neptune in the 9^th. My habits have as few boundaries as does my life.

In any case, if you want to read about it, here is the link to my page. A girlfriend and I have committed to form a team of 2, so wish us luck!

Seven Year Itch

I’m a triple Pisces, so it is part of my job description to feel sorry for, well, pretty well anyone. This week I felt sorry for Seal and Heidi Klum- not because they are famous, rich and gorgeous, but because this week they announced their separation after nearly 7 years of marriage.

That 7 years is a pretty important number- how often do we hear about the 7 year itch? Not just in terms of relationships- at the 7 year mark you may find enthusiasm for a job, a house, a project also waning. Those things that once seemed so exciting and compelling are now business as usual.

In relationships, those qualities which provided challenge and excitement have now become just plain annoying. Compatibilities become boring and arguments routine rather than an excuse for make up sex. Been there? Every relationship which has gone the distance has been there. Sometimes you get through it- find a way to keep going. Sometimes, though, it all seems way too hard and you call it a day…and it may well be that decision was the right one for that relationship.

In other celebrity news, French singer & actor, Vanessa Paradis is denying a split from her partner of 14 years, Johnny Depp. Two things about this:

1. I am engaging in (shock, horror) celebrity gossip when I so don’t give a faff about who is doing what to whom or with whom. I am seriously (and I do mean seriously) not interested in famous people. Let them earn what they earn, do what they do…I don’t need to know…except for when I am at the hairdressers and just can’t avoid it…
2. 14 years…alarm bells?

The elephant in the room here is, of course, the Saturn cycle.

Saturn takes 28 years to go around the chart. That means at year 7 he will form a square, at year 14 an opposition and at year 21 another square before coming back to his starting position (the Saturn return) at or around year 28.

We all know that the first Saturn return is hugely important- it is this time that we start to think about settling down, growing up, getting serious. At the 2^nd Saturn return (mid-late 50s) we are entering a new phase- retirement. At this point we can choose to “retire” or we can choose to retire from one phase of life and jump holdus boldus into another. Will we be the type that rings Alan Jones or another of the right wing “shock jocks” (please don’t write to me) and complain about the youth of today or petrol prices or how much simpler life was before we had the internet and choice or will we be the cool older person that wants to keep learning and keep experiencing and keep achieving?

Think about what goes before. When we are around 7 we hit our first challenges square on. We are separated from Mum and at school and introduced to things like consequences and structures and rules. At 14 (or thereabouts) we hit puberty and have a whole new set of confronting boundaries. Then at 21 we are finishing University, venturing out into the workplace and having to put our money where our mouth is. New rules, new boundaries, new responsibilities, a whole new set of what is appropriate to learn.

Relationships follow the same Saturn cycle. They also follow a Venus cycle and a Mars cycle. Don’t believe me? Is there any coincidence why the rose coloured glasses seem to come off at around the anniversary mark and the lust seems to have settled down at the 2 ½ year mark? I’m not saying that it goes away, just that things become more comfortable. The drive, the intensity, the needing to absolutely consume that person becomes more accepted. This is why many relationships don’t last past the Venus cycle (there needs to be more than la vie en rose) or the Mars cycle (the nature of the relationship will change). If they do, they move into the realm of commitment- they move into Saturn.

Anyways, back to Saturn. Relationships follow the Saturn cycle. Marriages follow the Saturn cycle. And Saturn is seriously about time…and responsibilities and maturity…but above all, time.

At or around the first Saturn square, 7 years, often comes the 1^st set of tests. This is the waxing square. Like the Moon cycle, things are opening up. You reach a fork in the road. Unless you are married to a Scorpio (I have to say that in case my Scorpio husband reads this), everyday life is business as usual. You may question what you are doing, you may look at single friends with some envy at their freedom (just don’t complain to them, because they may be wanting what you are now taking for granted).

One (or both) of you may start to look at the other side of the fence- that grass definitely looks greener. You may begin to question the commitment, the attraction, and the potential longevity of the relationship. You may wonder whether you have made a mistake. You may, often as a result, be attracted to another.

This is a test. Saturn likes tests.

You have come to a fork in the road. You examine the relationship. If it is truly worth continuing, it will pass the examination and you will move into a more stable and comfortable phase. If not, it will end. Maybe not now, but those seeds will have been sown. Whatever there was between you will have served its’ time.

At the 14 year mark we encounter the opposition. By this stage there is a lot of water under the bridge- in fact, the river is like the Amazon in severe flood and the bridge is rickety with missing planks and handholds that fall away- like the one in Romancing the Stone where Kathleen Turner just grabbed a hand hold and swung across the expanse, leaving Michael Douglas no option than to do the same.

At this point, the opposition point, if the stuff that wasn’t right wasn’t dealt with 7 years ago, you will need to deal with them (or finish them) now. You will need to decide whether to follow each other over the swollen river or shake hands at the edge, admit that it is all too hard and too wrong and too hopeless and part company.

There will be signals- a lot of them. Like knives twisting in the same wound in your back, like an undeniable attraction to an off limits colleague, like all the little pieces of dissatisfaction that you then choose to project onto your completely blameless and totally loyal partner. The signs will be there. They will be pulling you together and dragging you apart.

Lets say you get through this. You grit your teeth, you hold your breath and you grab your partners’ hand and sail out into the great unknown. You cross the bridge together. You may choose to stay together for the sake of the kids, for the money, the retirement fund or because other religious or cultural or familial reasons say that you should.

By the time you get to your 21^st anniversary the waning square will give you another pop quiz. The same challenges that you faced 14 years ago will again be under examination. Is it time? Has the relationship done its’ time? Its’ like that old (very politically incorrect) joke about the married couple who on their 21^st anniversary she finds him crying in the kitchen. She assumes he is fondly remembering their wedding day when in fact he is recalling that if he had used the shotgun, today would have been the day he was freed.

How many relationships do you hear of breaking up at this point? The kids are grown and there is no longer any really good reason to stay together? Except if you really truly want to be together.

By the time the relationship enters its’ Saturn return, it will have weathered much- job changes, residence changes, temptations. This brings its’ own crisis. Is this relationship really authentic to you? Is this person really the one you want to be looking at over the breakfast table when you’re older? Is this person really the one who should be getting your first smile of the morning, who is the last thing you think of before you go to bed at night and the first you think of in the morning? Is this person still the one?

Back in the days when marriage was first invented, nature helped us with these decisions- childbirth and early death saved many people from having to make choices that we are now presented with.  Now, we need to make our own choices- Saturn insists on it.

Unfortunately though, when you are a celebrity, these choices are made in the public arena- and I will always have sympathy for anyone whose love life becomes a matter of such public interest.

After watching an episode of Modern Family tonight, TTM asked us what “our song” is. It is the title of this post- we both agreed on that. For the record- 23 years together (18 years of marriage) this year…but who’s counting? That’s what Saturn cycles are for.

Pic by me.

Aquarius at work. My latest post for astrology.com is here.

Hosier Lane. Pic by me.

Warning- this is not an astro post, but rather a travel blog…you have been warned!

Into street art, or what people used to call graffiti before it became artistic and trendy? Some artists now are completely mainstream and sell their work through galleries and for huge amounts of money.

Melbourne has embraced the artform and is now running competitions and sponsoring artists- all part of the whole edgy scene. There is, however, a huge difference between street art and nuisance tagging or graffiti.

If you want commentary and detail, there are a few companies that specialise in walking tours around the city, through the laneways etc. There are walking tours for chocoholics, for vintage shoppers and for those who want to check out the seedy underbelly. But, I’m a tight arse and prefer to wander on my own. In any case, throw some comfy shoes on, grab your camera- this is my guide to the best of the street art in the CBD…at the moment anyway! Remember the transient nature of this stuff- it is changing all the time…which is just one of the things that is so cool about it.

Flinders St Station. Pic by me.

Start at the steps at Flinders St station. Everyone meets on the steps, under the clocks, so it is the perfect place to begin your walk from. There was even a song written about the clocks- Under the Clocks- Weddings, Parties & Anything did it…here is the link (“is there anywhere you’d rather be than with me at the MCG?”)…

Anyways, we’re starting at the steps. To your right is what I happen to think is an amazing space and others consider an eyesore- Federation Square, or Fed Square. It was supposed to have opened in time to celebrate the centenary of Australian Federation in 2001, but was a couple of years late.

So now as well as being on any design students must see list, it is also used in case studies for Project Management students as a demonstration of what happens when scope creep isn’t properly costed, analysed and risk assessed. For my money, it is also a great place to hang out, veg out, have a drink or a meal and watch sport on the big screen.

Besides, I like it.

From here walk straight ahead, up Swanston St and take the first street on your right- immediately behind St Pauls Cathedral. This is Flinders Lane.

Hosier Lane. Pic by me.

Hosier Lane, on your right, just before Russell St, is arguably the jewel in the crown of Melbourne’s street art. Always changing, it seems as if every available inch is covered in colour.

At the bottom of the lane is Movida Restaurant- amazing Spanish inspired food. Both this and the neighbouring café have built the art into their outside fitout. Keep an eye out for the light boxes on the wall- Hosier is also an official arts installation.

Hosier Lane. Pic by me.

Back on Flinders Lane, head to your right, up the hill, crossing over Russell Street. Just before you come to the next cross street (Exhibition St) is AC/DC Lane. The art here is currently a little worse for wear and all in the genus flannellus rockus ie based around the rock band AC/DC.

Re-trace your steps back down Flinders Lane. Cross over Swanston Street and use all your powers of discipline to walk past the edgy fashion stores- time for serious shopping afterwards.

The first almost lane on the left is Scott Alley. It is known for having just one piece, a Banksy (the name in street art) behind Perspex. Stop if you want.

Centre Place. Pic by me.

Next on the list is Degraves Street and Centre Place. If your exertions so far have left you caffeine deprived, stop here. If not, head to your right up Centre Place. Right before the stairs take a left into what looks like a dead end with dumpsters. There are often buskers in here. There are also some really cool pieces- large and bold.

Centre Place. Pic by me.

From here you can walk through to Collins Street (if the mall is open- alternatively you will need to back track into Flinders Lane and take a left to Swanston St). Cross the road and walk through The Block Arcade, taking care to resolutely ignore the pastries and chocolates.

The Block Arcade. Pic by me.

This will bring you to Little Collins Street. Turn right and keep your eye out for Union Lane (on your left- just past the Royal Arcade and the Walk Arcade). Some great art in here.

Union Lane. Pic by me.

Union Lane. Pic by me.

Follow Union Lane through to Bourke Street Mall. Turn right, cross at Swanston and then head up Swanston just one block to Little Bourke Street. The gates symbolize the entry to Chinatown. Come back here for a meal or some dumplings- plenty of great options.

Little Bourke St. Pic by me.

Chinatown. Pic by me.

Take the third lane on the left- Heffernan Lane. The art here is a little more difficult to see and consists of what appear to be street signs or shop neons. Take your time, read the motivational signs and work out what is real and what is art.

Heffernan Lane. Pic by me.

From here it is through to Lonsdale Street and the start of the Greek precinct. Check out the pastry shops- what’s a little baklava or spanakopita when you have been walking so far?

Head left down Lonsdale Street and back across Swanston Street. Take the first lane on the left- Caledonian Lane- and follow the distinctive aroma of eau (or should that be eeeeuw?) de dumpster. It’s pretty manky down but the colour is great. My favourite here is a rather dire warning to lane patrons as to what will happen to various body parts if they continue to use the doorway as a urinal. Hmmmm.

Caledonian Lane. Pic by me.

Follow the lane through to Little Bourke St and you will find yourself at the back of department stores and shopping central.

Want more? Hop a tram up to Fitzroy, wander up and down Gertrude Street before heading down Brunswick Street. Lots of wall art in the side streets- and the shops and cafes are well worth a look.

Links to some photos from previous visits can be found here, and more from my most recent trip here.

You might be interested in some other Melbourne posts and photos:

What I Did on the Weekend

Melbourne- My Way

Union Lane. Pic by me.

the old quad, Melbourne Uni. Pic by me.

Last day of Conference today. I’m not flying home until tomorrow, but today was the last day of lectures.

Again, I only attended two today. The first was by Kira Sutherland on the Astrology of Body Image. Kira is a Nutritionist, Naturopath and Medical Astrologer…and a great teacher. Her session looked at the concept of how we can use what we have been given to make the best of ourselves.

Our chart has a lot to say about our metabolism, our appearance, our attitude to food and our attitude to exercise. It can show us where there is a propensity for addictive behaviour, disordered behaviour and hormonal nasties.

As an example, someone with as much water as I have will never be anything less than (ahem) curvy. Even when my weight has been okay, I have still been tending more towards Rubenesque than Elle.

Being watery, my metabolism is naturally quite slow…and lets not even go into the too much information part of discussing my disorders or addictions! But, my Venus in Aries likes to sweat and it could all be worse… I may do a broader post on this stuff another time.

I spent the lunch break today in the sun wandering around Melbourne University, clocking up some kms and shooting some photos. Some gorgeous old buildings and a lovely blue day. Unfortunately I had only brought a long-ish lens with me, but will still post the results later.

This afternoons lecture has left my head spinning- which I wasn’t expecting as the topic was something I know relatively well. Deb Houlding, a traditional astrologer and someone I have enormous admiration for, was presenting Dignities, Debilities and Receptions.

Essentially this is looking at planets from a traditional viewpoint as to whether they are operating in their purest form, or may be a little uncomfortable and unsure in their placement. Check out her website www.skyscript.co.uk for more on this and some great info.

I think my head was spinning because it was the first time that many people in the room had been introduced to the concept. It was hot, straight after lunch and is technically one of those things that you could be better off taking away and absorbing in your own time. I think I was doing the Pisces thing and picking up on other energies & it was throwing me a tad. Either that or I was just over the learning thing for this weekend.

Oh, New Moon tomorrow, in Aquarius (2 Aquarius 42’). I haven’t even looked at the time here in Sydney, but from memory it is sometime early evening-ish. This New Moon is the one to set intentions on if there is somewhere in your life that is a little stuck, trapped, clogged- somewhere you want to be free to be yourself.

A bit like the guy I just passed strutting down Bourke St mall in shiny satin pants that looked as if they have been sprayed on, high platform black patent shoes, Alice Cooper lustrous black curls and a scarlet satin shirt open to the navel. Eeeeuw. A little easier on the eye, but no less remarkable, was the pirate (complete with grey ponytail and beard, black eye patch, purple woven vest and lilac hessiany harem pants) munching on eggs benedict in the Block Arcade at breakfast this morning. Hmmm…. Maybe both of them misheard what Mars retrograde is really about. Speaking of which- make sure you read the piece the other day Running on Empty.

Oh, the Aquarius New Moon means that it is also New Year in the Chinese calendar and the year of the water dragon. I don’t know a lot about this (google it- there is heaps out there) except that it is fortuitous and quite Jupiter like in that you should be careful what you wish for. So, tomorrow when I get home, I’m going to roll 9 oranges across the threshold and make a wish. Apparently the oranges will bring good fortune through the door.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

GPO Shopping Centre, Bourke St. Pic by me.

I’m currently in Melbourne attending the bi-annual Astro Conference put on by the FAA (Federation of Australian Astrologers).

Astrology is one of those subjects where you are always learning. There is always something new to take in, someone with a different perspective, perhaps a different branch of astrology or maybe someone just says something that sets off light bulbs in your head.

Today I attended just two lectures- both were extended lectures and took up most of the day and virtually all available space in this little Piscean brain.

First up was Jane Ridder-Patrick. I have registered at al all day workshop that she is doing in Sydney (if you want the details check it out here).

Anyways, Jane is a brilliant medical astrologer. Her Handbook of Medical Astrology is the go to book if you are interested in learning about Medical Astrology. Todays’ lecture looked at the concept of why does this person have this illness at this particular time?

More specifically today she discussed the astrological pointers for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and dissociative diseases like anorexia nervosa.

The common theme in each case study was just how the image we have of our selves, the beliefs we have, the words we say, the emotional charge we hold onto- how all of it can manifest at some point in illness. Certainly food for thought.

Queen Victoria Markets. Pic by me.

After the lunch break and a walk down to Queen Victoria Markets, it was time for Michael Lutin and some cool stuff around dispositorship.

If you aren’t aware of this concept, essentially a planets “dispositor” is the planet that rules the sign in which the planet is residing. As an example, I have Venus in Aries. The natural ruler of Aries is Mars, so we would say that Mars disposits Venus, ie my Venus has the flavour of Mars.

Identifying the final dispositors in your chart basically tells you who the heavy hitters are.

I use the traditional ruler-ships- mainly because that works for me. He uses modern rulers but stressed that either way is right- it is what works for you.

So, using this system on my chart:

Sun, Mercury

Sun and Mercury in Pisces

Jupiter (ruler of Pisces) in Cancer rules the Sun and Mercury

Moon (ruler of Cancer) in Pisces rules Jupiter

Jupiter in Cancer rules the Moon

Jupiter and the Moon each rule the sign that the other is in- they are therefore said to be in mutual reception.

Moon

Moon in Pisces rules Jupiter

Jupiter in Cancer rules the Moon

Jupiter and the Moon each rule the sign that the other is in- they are therefore said to be in mutual reception.

Venus and Saturn

Venus in Aries

Mars (ruler of Aries) in Scorpio rules Venus and Saturn

Mars in Scorpio is in the sign of his rulership

Jupiter

Jupiter in Cancer

Moon (ruler of Cancer) in Pisces rules Jupiter

Mutual Reception

Uranus and Pluto

Uranus and Pluto in Virgo

Mercury (ruler of Virgo) in Pisces rules Uranus and Pluto

Neptune

Neptune in Scorpio

Mars (ruler of Scorpio) rules Neptune

Mars in Scorpio is in the sign of his rulership

So, the heavy hitters in my chart are the Moon-Jupiter and Mars.

Now we look for connections between these planets to see if they are talking a similar language. Given that these are all in water signs for me, they are connected OK.

Got it?

Then he went one step further and looked at the changes that occur when  planets move into new signs by progression…somehow though, I think that could be just a tad too much to pop into this mail tonight!

Anyways, I will leave you with a couple of photos of Melbourne…more when my brain empties out a little.

Queen Victoria Markets. Pic by me.

relaxing by the pool...pic by me

I have Mars in Scorpio, in the 8^th house.

At 3 Scorpio, not only is Mars in the sign he rules (ie very strong), in the house naturally associated with Scorpio (this is good too) in traditional terms (for reasons to do with words like “triplicity”, “terms” and “face”) he is extra comfortable.

In fact the placement of my Mars would be almost perfect if it weren’t for one teeney, weeney little detail: he is retrograde.

Now, in horary astrology, a retrograde planet is about as weak as it is possible to be- even when it is strong. (Horary, as regular readers know, is the art of casting a chart for a single question. If a retrograde planet is a significator in the question, whatever it is that planet signifies is said to be very weak.)

When I first started learning astrology I was told that my retrograde Mercury meant that I would have issues with learning, and especially in junior school. If anything, the reality is the opposite- I pretty well topped most subjects at school most years- I was a nerd. I was also told that my retrograde Mars meant that I would have issues with sex.  In the interests of too much information, let me just say, wrong again.

Whilst other astrologers may not agree with what I am about to say, natally retrograde planets are not weak, the energy is just applied in a different way- it’s directed inwards rather than outwards. Whatever that planet represents becomes more personal- but at the expense of ease of expression.

Take Mercury as an example. Many amazing writers have Mercury retrograde in their chart- there is clearly no issue with their ability to communicate, they may just spend more time in their heads before the words get committed to paper.

Likewise having Venus retrograde natally doesn’t mean that you will never find love, it may, however, slow the process down. You may be less comfortable in expressing your feelings- especially around those who you do fancy. You may feel more insecure when in a relationship and you will deal with matters of the heart very seriously. You may, however, be especially creative as all of that energy is turned within.

So, what of Mars. Given the rather phallic forward thrusting motion of Mars, what happens when the action planet is retrograde in your chart? You may feel that you are slower to start, you may have a naturally lower energy than others. You may have problems with conflict and find other ways to deal with it, such as manipulation or avoidance. Your anger, rather than being directed and focused may be explosive and unpredictable. This is because you keep it inside for so long that when it does erupt, it is volcanic.

With Mars retrograde natally you may find that you are at your best and most effective when the adrenaline is running hot, deadlines are looming and you have time only to act, not think- in other words, you are at your best in a time of crisis.

Mars is currently super slow and will turn retrograde in a little less than a week (23 January to be precise-ish…depending on your time zone).  Retrograde at 23 Virgo, he will re-trace his steps all the way back to 3 Virgo before turning back direct in mid April.

What does this mean for you? As with all retrograde periods, the “re” words apply. Words like review, rest, relax, revise. Given that this is Mars, energy levels may be lower than usual and those of us who are used to running on full, may feel a little more like they are running on empty. Those of us with Mars retrograde natally, may not notice a lot of difference.

If you expect delays and factor them in to your planning, the frustration you feel when you encounter them may be mitigated somewhat. The biggest danger at this time is rashness, impulsiveness, carelessness and loss of temper (when things don’t go your way) over-riding your normal levels of care and responsibility.

Physically Mars retrogrades can bring out underlying sinus and tension issues resulting in headaches and other health issues. If you are affected, maybe it is the Universe telling you that you need to employ one of those re words. Teeth can also be an issue- especially if Saturn is involved, or sudden rashes if Uranus is aspected during this transit.

As with all retrogrades, the energy is at its’ highest during the station period, ie when Mars is stationed retrograde or direct. It is at these points, in particular, where other planets aspecting that same point can trigger actions that you may not be yet ready to take.

As an example, say Mars is transiting the 7^th house for you (as he is for me).  You may be wanting to take it slow in relationship issues, take a step back and re-evaluate your partnerships. Say Mars aspects another planet during this transit, let’s make this interesting and say Mars conjuncts Pluto. The interesting part of this would occur if something else triggered activity- say that point received an aspect from the New Moon in Pisces, or the Full Moon in Virgo?

The lesson here- don’t just look at what part of life Mars is tracking back though and slowing down, but what else is happening to that part of life in relation to other transits.

Given that Mars is in Virgo, it goes without saying that you need to pay attention to details which you may otherwise overlook. A little criticality and precision will be rewarded…another re word.- and yes, retrograde planets can also bring rewards, if you listen to the messages being given to you.

A brief rundown of what you may expect.

Aries (or Aries Rising): 6^th house stuff ie heath and wellness habits, nutrition, business as usual. Being a Mars ruled sign, your energy will be impacted…a lot- take extra care not to lose your head in the process.

Taurus (or Taurus Rising): 5^th house stuff: kids, fun, play, creativity- the stuff we take risks on & give birth to.

Gemini (or Gemini Rising): 4^th house stuff: home, family, real estate, where you live & who you live with

Cancer (or Cancer Rising): 3^rd house stuff: what you say, how you say it & who you say it to, siblings, short or routine trips

Leo (or Leo Rising): 2^nd house stuff: money, and stuff, the dollars that are coming in, what you do with them & how & what you value.

Virgo (or Virgo Rising): 1^st house stuff: all about you, your identity, your attitude, your appearance, your vitality

Libra (or Libra Rising): 12^th house stuff: things that are hidden, secret enemies, where you run to and what you run from

Scorpio (or Scorpio Rising): 11^th house stuff: friends, groups, causes, networks. As Mars rules your sign take extra care and use tolerance when the inevitable happens. You can’t control everything.

Sagittarius (or Sagittarius Rising): 10^th house stuff: waiting for that promotion? Expect delays. Career, work, professional life, public life.

Capricorn (or Capricorn Rising): 9^th house stuff: study, travel, philosophy, beliefs

Aquarius (or Aquarius Rising): 8^th house stuff: taxes, other peoples money, money of the partnership, debt

Pisces (or Pisces Rising): relationships, back stabbing bitches that are open about it (ie open enemies), partnerships, connections.

Remember the children Von Trapp at the start of Sound of Music? All straight and good in their military uniforms and whistles. And just when everything was nice and orderly the Mother Superior decided to solve her Maria problem by sending her to the Von Trapps. Next thing you know, curtains have been turned into play clothes, rigidity has been replaced with spontaneity and rules with non conformity. The result was a romp through Salzburg so that thousands of tourists afterwards could do the same pose at the palace gates (or wherever it is the gates are…and yes, I’ve done it). All because of Maria.

Where am I going with this? To my latest post for Your Career & the Cosmos- the link is here…Tea: A Drink With Jam & Bread (Capricorn and Stress). Invite in a little Aquarius and it really is as easy as doe-ray-me…

Pic by me

I’m feeling lazy, so here is last years post on Venus in Pisces…

Once upon a time there was a magical movie about a chauffeurs’ daughter who had made an occupation out of being in love with her employers’ son. He is handsome and mega rich and exciting, but he doesn’t know that she exists. So she runs away to Paris to forget him and find herself.

When she returns home, with a new wardrobe and a new haircut, even though he is newly engaged he finally notices her and she feels that all her dreams are finally coming true. His crusty and even more mega-rich older brother attempts to distract her in order to preserve the potential business partnership that is a by-product of the engagement.

He recognises early that material wealth means nothing to her- she can’t be bought. Instead he plays to her sympathies- he confides in her invented tales about how lost he is, how misunderstood he is, about how he wishes he could escape to Paris, how he dreams of being saved. Referred to as the worlds’ only living heart donor, his idea of a relationship is letting his date order dessert, yet, as he talks, he realises that what he is saying is actually true. As she listens she feels sorry for him. As she gets to know him she realises that her childhood love was a fantasy. She sees in him her reality and saves him from himself.

The movie is Sabrina- originally made with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart and later re-done with Harrison Ford as Linus Larraby and Julia Ormond as Sabrina Fairchild.

Sabrina had been in love with a fantasy all her life- Venus in Pisces. To escape reality she flees to Paris- the ultimate Piscean city. We see the romance of long walks, fairy lights and the Bateaux-Mouches as they glide along the Seine.  We hear the Edith Piaf classic La Vie en Rose- loosely translated living life through rose coloured glasses- playing from a Parisian cafe.

Sabrina was named for Sabrina Fair/Fayre, the character in a poem by Milton who came to save the Mariner. As Linus finds himself falling under her spell, Sabrina shows him an escape from his dry, dusty and emotionless life. Sabrina the Saviour is Venus in Pisces. Sabrina saves him.

Venus in Pisces is romantic idealism, but can heal through love. Venus in Pisces is devoted, super sensitive, yet can also be evasive and reluctant to commit. Venus in Pisces will love you like you have never been loved before, but will have difficulty in telling you how she feels. Venus in Pisces will place you on a pedestal and love you forever, yet may still find it possible to be unfaithful on a physical level. To Venus in Pisces, nothing matters more than how it feels deep inside.

Incredibly intuitive, Venus in Pisces will express herself with meaningful glances, a hug that lasts just a little longer than usual, a kiss that grazes ever closer to the lips. She will rarely make the first move, but send you sign after sign, lying in bed at night building fantasies in her head about what she should have said, but couldn’t. This is why water signs work so well with each other- they can understand the concept of “more than words”- even though the actual getting together may involve months of hidden messages, cryptic conversations and meaningful looks. Air is frustrated by this, seeing it as an inability to communicate. Earth sees it as a waste of practical effort and Fire just wants to get down to the shagging part…OK, I am simplifying…

While she may not say much, Venus in Pisces has a way of insinuating herself into your life and before you know it that friend who has meant so much as a fun companion suddenly means so much more. Venus in Pisces often doesn’t know what she wants, but goes with the flow until the feeling is given definition by another. She has the ability to morph easily into whatever and whoever you need her to be, but will wiggle out of your grasp and off the hook if you attempt to control her. Whilst she is happy to be taken care of and yearns to be looked after and loved exclusively she will seek to escape any traps you set for her.

Venus in Pisces can also be the quintessential damsel in distress – the little girl lost who needs to be rescued and looked after and the helpless man who needs to be mothered and picked up after. This one dimensional view is the shadow side of Venus in Pisces- a tendency to not take responsibility for your own actions.

Venus in Pisces has secrets- deep, emotional secrets. Twelfth house secrets. Secrets that you can only find out with the right key for the right door. In this way she is a mesmerising challenge- just when you think you know her or understand her, the shutters come down and another mask goes on. This is all part of the mystique and frustration associated with being involved with Venus in Pisces.

All of these qualities are shared by Pisces women and anyone who has Venus in close aspect to Neptune- in particular the conjunction, or Venus in the 12^th house.

Men with Venus in Pisces will be looking for a woman with Piscean characteristics. She may be Pisces, she may have planets filling up her 12^th house, she may have a Pisces Moon or other planets closely aspecting Neptune. She will be emotional, sensitive and intuitive… someone who will see into his soul and understand him without him needing to say the words.

He wants someone to share his dreams with and someone who will dream with him. He wants someone who will share her emotions with him and who he trusts enough to open his heart to. He will understand that sometimes you just need to cry and need to be held until the tears have stopped and left mascara stains on his shirt. He wants someone he can feel with. He wants someone who he can save and who will save him.

Above all, Venus in Pisces believes in fairytales, trusts that there can be a happy ever after and wants to live the dream- La Vie en Rose.

Hold me close and hold me fast

The magic spell you cast-

This is la vie en rose

When you kiss me heaven sighs

And though I close my eyes

I see la vie en rose.

When you press me to your heart

I’m in a world apart

A world where roses bloom.

And when you speak

Angels sing from above-

Everyday words turn into love songs.

Give your heart and soul to me and

Life will always be

La vie en rose.

The Little Mermaid

There has been an ongoing “discussion point” in our house today between hubby and TTM (Taller Than Me 13) over a decision she made (and I supported) to blow off an intensive butterfly swim session at midday today.

She had already swum for 10 hours this week & had done squad this morning and an impromptu game of water polo last night. I was exhausted just thinking about it. So, when she came home this morning and announced that the session closed off with 18 laps of butterfly sprints, I was totally supportive of her call to miss the midday fly intensive.

In true Mercury-Pluto style, my Scorpio hubby is insisting on carrying it on. To close it down, tonight I announced that Venus and Neptune were together on her natal Moon-Neptune conjunction…there is no way that she would be putting commitments ahead of pleasure and self nurturing today. So there.

Venus is about what makes us feel good, gives us pleasure, what we find beautiful. Neptune is, well, Neptune is about things we can’t quite get a grip on. Under a Venus-Neptune transit we may:

• Vacillate (yep, spent most of the afternoon in the pool rather than make a decision on garden design)
• Spend the day day-dreaming (yep)
• Be truly inspired from a creative viewpoint (I did see pretty patterns reflected in the water)
• Lack confidence in decision making (see above)
• Make long term irretrievable decisions that could impact our future (I closed down the My Career ads)
• Believe promises made by well intentioned employers, lovers or friends- let’s face it, I tend to believe most people!
• Become infatuated by someone quite charming…oh, that’s right, I’m married, so strike that one…
• Tend to over-indulge on whatever it is that can make us lose our grip on reality even more (pinot gris, I’m calling your name)
• Become completely selfless and do things for others (I did iron hubby a shirt- does that count?)

Transits of Venus to Neptune can be rather nice and dreamy. And seriously, how much damage can you do in a day or so? Hmmm, on second thoughts, maybe better strike that one too!