“There’s only so much you can learn in one place, the more that I wait the more time that I waste” Jump, Madonna

Photo by Ccaetano, Courtesy www.Dreamstime.com

A few years ago, I was introduced to astrology beyond the Sun signs. I was in Melbourne for work and had taken the opportunity of flying down over the weekend to grab some early Spring sunshine and a tarot reading at my fave Melbourne institution Spellbox. For the previous 12 months or so I had been feeling particularly restless. There was a real physical ball of electric energy in my chest that just wouldn’t go away. It would wake me up at night with the feeling that something really exciting was brewing, an almost constant feeling of an impending ‘something’, an urge to tread dangerously and take risks.

When I tried describing it to the Reader, her response was “Well, Uranus is moving through your sign…” She went on to explain to me that the ruler of Pisces, Neptune, was in Aquarius & the ruler of Aquarius, Uranus was in Pisces- the result of which would make Aquarians softer and possibly dreamier and Pisceans would become more electric.

At that point I really didn’t understand what she was talking about, but it made me want to learn more about the type of influences that could make someone like me, who had always done what was expected, want to party all night, break free and run away to join the circus, metaphorically speaking. Looking back, I don’t think I had ever felt more uncertain about everything, but nor had I felt more alive that I did during that time & the following 6 months.

With hindsight and the benefit of an ephemeris I can see that Uranus at that time was within a couple of degrees of meeting my ascendant. It had hit a peak a month or so before and was now retrograde. What I really wanted to escape from was myself, or rather, my image or label of self. In doing so, the impact was felt in my home, my relationships and my work patterns.

Uranus is all about making you confront your own individuality. It pokes and it prods until you have no choice but to make the changes that are necessary to become yourself. Uranus is uncomfortable and indiscriminate. The harder and longer you resist its’ force, the more painful the transit is. If you have always fitted into the box that others have categorized you in, be prepared for some pain. If you think that you can control your environment, think again- the area of life which Uranus is transiting becomes totally unpredictable.

As with all the outer planets, Uranus is at its strongest and most unpredictable when retrograde. While its’ motion is direct, the impulsive charges and flashes of insight or intuition become almost expected. During the retrograde period, however, you take more of the Uranian energy inwards where it can and will explode unexpectedly and uncontrollably.

Likewise, with all retrograde periods, the “re” prefix is important. In the case of Uranus the term “re-awaken” is the most apt. During the retrograde period, the freedom urge is reawakened. With it comes the urge to rebel and break out or release yourself from wherever you feel confinement (real or imagined) in your life. But, as with all retrograde periods, this is not a good time to make changes, no matter how much the urge bubbles inside you or how exciting the thought is. Dispassionately analyze where the universe is prompting you to make changes, feel it, process it, be aware of it, but try to resist actualizing or externalizing any of these changes until Uranus goes direct.

Where is Uranus in your chart? The cause of the transit can be found where Uranus is natally. The house through which Uranus is transiting is where most of the action is taking place and the house ruled by Aquarius is the area where the transits’ energy will be manifested.

Uranus is currently stationing at 26 Pisces 37’. It begins its’ retrograde on Wednesday 1/7/09. It will turn direct at 22 Pisces 42’ 2/12/09 and will retrace its steps coming out of its’ shadow in March 2010.

Who does this affect?

• Aquarians
• Pisceans- particularly those with planets or chart points between 27 and 22 degrees.
• Anyone with planets or chart points between 27 and 22 degrees Gemini, Virgo or Sagittarius
• Anyone with a strong Uranian chart signature eg, if Uranus falls on an angle in your chart natally  (1^st, 4^th, 7^th or 10^th house); or if Uranus aspects the Sun or Moon closely (especially consider conjunction, square, opposition)

What is Uranus trying to tell you that you need to change? Where do you need to be ready to jump?

My horoscope yesterday (well part of it…) from the inimitable Jonathon Cainer: “Something seems to be out of your control… if you can somehow see it as one which you have no power at all over, you can abdicate some responsibility. You can let whatever is most likely to happen, happen. Then you can say ‘I sincerely wish things were different, but I am powerless.’ Maybe it secretly suits you to feel that this is true. If so, just carry on believing that you have no choice and relax. But do so out of choice, not hopelessness.”

As some of you would already know. I have a lot of Pisces planets in my chart, and I mean A LOT- and they are all in the 1^st house. One of the brilliant things about Pisces is that we can float around blindly oblivious to the nets out there waiting to reel us in- great from an infinite possibility aspect, but can also mean that when the bad stuff happens we can morph into our more shadow- self pitying victim. A little harsh? Possibly. Needless to say, I sometimes feel as though I consciously have to fight this attitude every day of my life. (Actually, even saying that makes me sound like I should be feeling sorry for myself). Fortunately, I a 1st house Saturn who makes me take responsibility- sometimes too much responsibility. I also have a tight Sun-Pluto opposition that sometimes helps me convince myself that I can have total control over everything in my part of the ocean. One little piece of reality I still have not  learned is that I can only attempt to control my own reaction to what other people say about me, I can’t control what they say, do, think or write.

All this reminded me of a colleague I worked with during the last technical “recession that we had to have”. With Pisces Rising, Cancer Sun, Capricorn Moon and a heap of 6^th house planets, Mary (yes, the name is changed) would poke her head out of her office cubicle for long enough to envelope the rest of us in doom and gloom and speculation about the rumoured restructures. Even though no one really appreciated how much she did for the company or how much more than us she knew- if only anyone could be bothered to ask- she was convinced that she would be the first to lose her job. Mary also reminded us (constantly) that she was the only one who really couldn’t afford to lose her job- after all none of us had a family (in those days) so we had no idea what it was like to have to provide for a proper education and a roof over their heads.

One day I stupidly offered Mary some advice.  “But it’s hopeless Jo”, she said, “I have no choice to wait and see what they will do with me.”

I assured her that she wasn’t helpless, that there were things that she could do now to control her own reaction should anything happen. She could get her resume up to date and organise current referees so that she would be ready to hit the job market running. She could insure her income against retrenchment or redundancy- this would, with her payout, give her at least 9 months to find a new position if she were to be retrenched, without being any worse off than she is now. She could ensure that her finances were as solid as they could be in the present circumstances.

Mary had an excuse for every suggestion. Finally I snapped, “Mary, if you really want to take control of the situation, why don’t you find another job and resign now?”

Her reaction? “You know something, don’t you…what have they told you?”

Some people truly don’t want a choice, being in control takes away their excuses and that would make the situation hopeless. After all, unless the blame can be directed elsewhere, we have to take responsibility- and that is really scary.

(Also published at www.joroseastrology.blogspot.com)

My Nan will be 91 soon. She still wears strappy heel sandals, still wants to dance past midnight, still watches her weight and is a busy “Volunteer”. Nan first discovered volunteering when the Olympics came to Sydney- she was 82 that year & the oldest volunteer by far. She still helps out at all major community events in Sydney, often catching 3 trains and walking long distances to get to the venues. At her 90^th last year she arrived in a silver lame jacket, smart black pants and some silver strappy sandals announced “Darlings, I am here, the party can start!”

But what does this have to do with astrology? Nan’s Sun is in Cancer. And, according to most popular literature, she is not a typical Cancer. Apparently typical Cancer’s don’t party hard, don’t wear silver and heels into their 90s and tend not to survive on diets of cigarettes and aspirin powders. Typical Cancers are supposed to be moody (depending on the moon), gloomy and grumpy. Typical Cancers are supposed to be insecure, depressive, fearful, over protective, clinging and paranoid. (I will stop there…) Not as fearless or dramatic as the Fire signs; not as social as the Air signs or as practical as Earth, and not as sorry as Pisces or as dark and sexy as Scorpio; Cancer generally gets a bad rap.

But when I look at my Nan, I see the quintessential Cancer. The Mother who would do whatever it takes to ensure her children were fed, clothed, housed and safe. The Grandmother whose house is stuffed full of photos, trinkets and memories- all surfaces, all spare pieces of wall. The party animal whose day is made complete because everybody in the room is dear to her. This is also the same woman who will go into fight against anybody who dared to criticise any of her family, and the woman who when interviewed on radio earlier this year could not understand why the journalist didn’t want to hear about her “beautiful family”.

Cancer is associated with the archetype of the Mother- and there is no doubt that Cancer has an innate ability to provide compassion, emotional and physical security and nutrition for their family- but this amazing talent to nurture and protect is extended beyond kids and family to whatever is important. Not everyone with a Cancer Sun (or Moon) necessarily wants or has a family- many Cancer Suns are not even close to their family- but they all need something to look after and raise to be the best it can be. The “baby” may be a business venture, a job, a pet, a project or a partner.

It is often the case, however, that Cancer forgets to look after herself.  Cancer will provide a meal for others and go hungry if extra guests arrive. Cancer will bake up a storm, even if she is on a diet. Cancer will ensure her children are well clothed, even if it means she has to go without. Cancer nurtures the body and the soul, Cancer does more with less and Cancer will fight tenaciously when her “baby” is threatened. Only after everyone else is cared for and the job is complete, will Cancer consider her own needs.

The Moon rules Cancer. Not only is this responsible for their celebrated moodiness, but it also is why  Cancer is one of the most sensitive and emotionally intuitive signs in the zodiac- If my Cancer friends tell me they feel something or someone is not right, I will trust them… implicitly. They feel it.  Born from the need to survive, their ability to see below the surface and read between the lines is second only to Scorpio. Underneath the hard and mistrusting outer shell of every Crab is the soft underbelly of Cancer.   

Where is Cancer in your chart? This is the area of life you will feel most ready to grow and nurture. It may also be an area that you feel threatened and need to protect. Feed it, clothe it, educate it and send it out into the world in full awareness that when the bad stuff hits, your creation knows it can come back home for a meal and some compassion.

Happy Birthday Nan.

This post was originally posted on my blogspot (www.joroseastrology.blogspot.com) in April 2009.

A week ago I was sitting in a hotel room in Melbourne waiting for my luggage to catch up with me. It had been one of those days in one of those weeks. While I was waiting, I read an article about a movie called Good starring the gorgeously yummy Viggo Mortensen that explores the concept of the small, totally understandable, totally justifiable & seemingly harmless compromises and choices that we make on the road to a Point of No Return. A Breaking Point.

It got me thinking about my own week and disappointments & about how we all experience and deal with these events. Surely, at some point, we all have a breaking point at work and wondered how on earth we got there? You know the sort- when you just want to yell and scream & cry & throw things or leave it all behind.

The nature of this event (& how it is dealt with) will be different for each of us, but, your sun sign and its’ element shows what you need in order to stay motivated. But, also have a look at the sign on the cusp of your 10th house. If you don’t know this, but have an accurate birth time check out www.astro.com. The sign on the 10th house gives you more information about what you need from your job and from your boss, so it is worth considering.

The real trick is recognising when compromises are being made and just when enough is enough. If you find yourself yelling into a telephone beside a railway track or kicking the life out of the wall in the fire escape (or is that just me?)I would suggest you could be close! In the current economic crisis (GFC for short), we may find ourselves accepting more of what damages us simply because we can’t afford not to. But are we selling out, putting up, or simply running scared- or all of the above? Or do we just need to learn to make the best out of what may be a bad situation? That, I can’t answer.
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How does this all go teogether? I am a Pisces with Sagittarius on the cusp of the 10th. My heart and head need to be nourished by dreams and not restrained or trapped by the boundaries of too much bureaucracy or interference. But as a Piscean, I also am able to merge into whatever anyone else wants me to be or whatever my environment needs me to be. And, I need to be needed. My breaking point comes when my dreams or visions are shattered or if I feel trapped by someone or something. With Sagittarius on the cusp of my career house (the 10th) I need to believe and absolutely require the people I deal with to be honest. Betrayal or going back on a promise, regardless of the so called business justification around that will disengage me immediately.

What about you?

Fire Signs

Aries needs a fire to fight (or to start) and something to hunt down. Remove his goals and you also remove his purpose.
Leo needs to be noticed & publicly recognised. Ignore him, overlook him or forget to include him and you will have one very unmotivated Lion.
Sagittarius hates spin. Don’t breach his trust or break a promise. That simple.

Air Signs

Gemini Work is a social event. Declining staff numbers mean fewer opportunities to chat, gossip and exchange ideas… and more time to create rumours.
Libra Libra loves a peaceful conflict free office- preferably beautifully designed. Bring in the “sardine” syndrome, “hot desks” & throw in some discrimination & conflict & Libra will be out of there.
Aquarius Antiquated manual practices and workarounds, poor technology & interference by management & no future vision? Why bother?

Earth Signs

Taurus No job description? No set objectives? No job security? No payrise? Enough said.
Virgo Chaos, general disorganisation, no proper process & cowboy bosses will have Virgo looking for somewhere else not to be appreciated.
Capricorn Why fix what isn’t broken? History has proven that experience will conquer all. You want to bring in new blood & give them more respect? What about all those hours I have put in?

Water Signs
Cancer is motivated by protection & fear & will scuttle away in their shell if their “family” or “home” is threatened. “Hot desks” are a nightmare? Where will the pics of the kids go?
Scorpio is hard to break. Real hard. Betrayal will do it everytime. But watch your back for the next few decades afterward!
Pisces needs to dream & needs to feel. No emotional connection & virtual handcuffs will bring things to a watery end.

Bosses, we love them, we hate them… but for the vast majority of us, earning money generally means that we come into contact with a “superior” at some point- and I use the term loosely. There is a great deal of difference between a “Manager” and a “Leader”. Your attitude to management of staff can be indicated by your Sun sign. More importantly, getting to know the Sun sign of your Boss can be a great help in the workplace.

If you know your Rising sign (or that of your Boss), read that description as well, as you are often influenced by both your Sun & Rising Sign.

At risk of stressing the fine print- Boss men/women past, present & future- don’t look too hard for yourselves in here- you could be disappointed…

Aries Boss

Never happier than when he is fighting fires, if there are none to extinguish, this boss is likely to create some- just because he can.

A natural leader, Aries likes to run his own show, & isn’t afraid to make difficult decisions. He is goal orientated and has so much energy that he frustrates those around him from what can sometimes be movement for its own sake. Aries loves to start new projects, but simply doesn’t have the patience to deal with the details of the effort.

Aries is the original Warrior, so this is the guy you want on your side in a fight. He has the ability to blinker himself from the real feelings of those below him- particularly if they have the potential to stop him from achieving his objective.

Taurus Boss

Taurus Boss may be accused of being a little stubborn, even conservative, but, unlike Aries, once committed to a course of action, this Manager will see it through to the end. Trust this sign with your money & your real estate. Taurus likes routine, structure and will not act without examining all possible repercussions. Any decisions made by this sign will have been carefully considered before they are communicated.

A natural workaholic, Taurus Boss does not like to be interrupted, disturbed, or removed from the agreed schedule. Taurus will lead with integrity, determination and loyalty and will expect the same from her employees.

Gemini Boss

With a Gemini boss the office will be a hive of social activity, gossip and busyness- never again will there be stony silences at performance review sessions. This Manager personifies multi-tasking, but can be endlessly distracting and possibly destructive to output if confined to a cubicle and a single goal.

A great communicator with a brilliant brain, Gemini is also a master manipulator and thrives in company politics. Gemini Boss is best in situations requiring plenty of mental gymnastics and thrives on chaos & disarray. Gemini really doesn’t like micro management, so will generally detach sufficiently to let you get into problems, before coming in to get you out of it with some genius idea.

Cancer Boss

Cancer works to earn money for the family. Uninterested in frivolity or politics in the office, Cancer is no nonsense when it comes to work and expects those around them to work equally as hard. Like all water signs, Cancer is quite private. The office generally has a comfortable home-y feel and is a refuge when they are feeling particularly “crabby” or threatened.

Cancer believes that a company is built on the engagement of its people and builds her team with firm family foundations, protecting and nurturing her “work family” in the same way that she protects & nurtures her real family- always remembering their own family always comes first. Any company that makes the mistake of not realising this will lose a great people manager.

Leo Boss

This charismatic boss works hard, plays hard, loves to be noticed and dislikes being upstaged. Generally warm, generous and proud, this Manager can also be a control freak and can tend to micro-manage staff- mainly because he does not like to be seen to fail. A motivated Leo boss has an infectious focus.

Often having larger than life ambitions, they have the ability to complete a task through sheer willpower. But if not excited, they can tend to boredom, laziness and interference for the sake of it.

Leo loves the spotlight of a high profile role or project, is not afraid to take risks, and often will manage to be surrounded with loyal followers who treat him as a role model.

Virgo Boss

Virgo truly believes that she can achieve perfection- if she works hard enough. And she does take on an amazing amount of work. As a Manager, she is often way too hard on herself and those around her. Virgo has a tendency to obsess over details, and will dwell on the smallest imperfections. But Virgo doesn’t see it as criticism- just helpful advice because she knows you can do better. This nagging tendency can tend to demoralise valuable employees who need positive reinforcement and often hides her fears regarding perceived inadequacies .

The record keeper of the zodiac, the Virgo Boss is a font of knowledge and detail regarding company facts, data and process. Unfortunately, despite doing so much, Virgo boss is usually under appreciated.

Libra Boss

This Boss is all about justice and balance. She will work hard, but she will also need downtime to languish. Libra looks great, dresses for the situation and is charming. Libra can be ambitious, but understands that they are at their best with a team or at least a few supporters. Libra will fight only when fair-play is at stake. The rest of the time she has an uncanny knack to get others to do her dirty work- not that they mind… really. The bossy side is often hidden behind a skilled communicator. Libra dislikes messy emotions and may be accused of being indecisive, but essentially, anything to promote harmony in the workplace.

Scorpio Boss

The most fixed and deeply emotional of the water signs, Scorpio exudes a veneer of absolute control and can usually maintain this in the face of absolute chaos. Scorpio Boss can be loyal and protective but when crossed will remember the grievance for as long as necessary.

This Manager has the potential to engage employees by tuning in emotionally and generally runs an office based on honesty and integrity. But he does expect high performance and does not come to work to win popularity contests. Scorpio makes decisions based on data & measures risks carefully, but does find it difficult to admit mistakes (not that he is ever wrong) or change course.

 Sagittarius Boss

This guy is the ultimate risk taker, and not really a natural leader. More interested in having fun, exploring the “big picture” or teaching and motivating, Sagittarius really has little interest or tolerance in hands on management.

Honest to a fault, this Boss will talk before thinking, not realising that others may find his honesty a little tactless. But Sagittarius will encourage change, creativity, growth and optimism and will generally be there if you need him. Just don’t expect to find him at his desk in a partition doing a single set of tasks- he will need to have many fires to fight at once and preferably a reliable earthy person at his side dealing with the smaller details.

Capricorn Boss

This boss is result focused and competitive, but in a more practical way than fiery Aries. A naturally strong Manager, earthy Capricorn understands that hard work is the only way to achieve results, recognition, dollars and security. Capricorn is most at home in a structured corporate environment where everyone has a clear place in the pecking order.

From the “if it ain’t broke, don’t change it” school, suggested change is generally met with scepticism and suspicion. As Capricorn finds comfort in history and experience, they may try and “neutralise” any perceived threat to their leadership by more ambitious and change suggestive employees.

 Aquarius Boss

Aquarius Boss thrives in a team, preferably working on something new, inventive or for the greater good. Technology will be enterprise level and outcomes will be for the “greater good”. Employees will generally enjoy a flexible, slightly alternative workplace, have buy-in to goals and experience fair and equal benefits.

Aquarius does expect hard work towards a common goal and uses structure to do so. At her best she is a revolutionary genius, at her worst, a loose cannon.

Like all air signs, there is no room for messy emotional stuff- personal problems are so much smaller than the big picture. Make sure your conversation is interesting, ideas well thought through and you won’t have any political issues with this boss.

 Pisces Boss

Pisces is more suited to creative or directorial roles than leadership. This boss has ideals and dreams and corporate structures interfere with those. If she finds herself in a leadership or operational position, she will sit behind that desk depressed & trapped. But she will be sensitive to every mood in the office and may sacrifice herself for those of her employees- if she feels they need her.

Pisces can’t say “no”, dislikes making decisions and resents being taken advantage of. She will value earthy and practical employees who can turn her fantastical visions into something more workable.

Pisces Boss is a chameleon and can be everything to everybody… but she can also be a master manipulator.