A Jovial Full Moon

Firstly, I apologise for the brevity of this post and the absence of horoscopes. I hope the below will at least be of some utility.

Today's Full Moon has, as my good friend Amanda pointed out, proved something of a callback to 2023. It took place at 5+ degrees Leo and Aquarius, squaring Jupiter (currently at 6+ degrees Taurus) along with the 5+ Taurus degree, in which Mercury and Jupiter both stationed direct last year. The Full Moon of late October 2023 also occurred at 5+ Taurus-Scorpio. All this has invested that one small part of the zodiac with a lot of significance.

You Are Holding the Thread

This Monday, 7th August, is another of the cross-quarter days among those pivotal moments in the turning of the seasonal wheel when profundities tend to make themselves more apparent, just for a whisper.

The one in question is known to some in the north of the world as Lammas or Lughnasadh, the first fruits harvest (its equivalent in the southern hemisphere being Imbolc). It's usually celebrated around the first of the month, but astrologically it occurs when the Sun reaches the midpoint of Leo - exactly halfway between the Cancer solstice* and the Libra equinox**.

In astrological symbolism, the solstices and equinoxes occur as the Sun enters each cardinal sign. Cardinal signs represent initiation, pioneering, leadership - the first to set foot in new territory. Thus at these moments a new season commences. At the cross-quarters, the Sun is in the middle of a fixed sign. This indicates continuation as well as manifestation: the culmination of the seasonal forces in action.

Push When the Moment Comes

Hello! I'm back following a brief hiatus, though I've been busy behind the scenes making some art and figuring out schedules, with the intention of providing a more regular service. I dislike making promises, so I'll just say that I have things a little better organised now, and this will hopefully lead to fewer and shorter silences.

I've been gazing for quite some time on the chart for the Sun ingressing (i.e. moving into) the sign of Gemini this year, which happens on Sunday 21st May at 07:09 UT. It's one of those charts that contains a barrage of information, from which it isn't always easy to identify or extract the most salient points. However, there is one configuration that jumps immediately to the attention.

A Tale of Two Retrogrades

When working on a set of charts, one of the things astrologers look for is patterns. Patterns in divination usually tell a story of sorts, pointing the seeker in the direction of more precise knowledge. They are generally to be found somewhere; at times following a bit of digging out, archaeology-style.

At other times, they can be staring you right in the face.