warning: this is a technical post…

In a link I posted the other day, I made the comment that I have the worst Mercury in history.

Naturally I exaggerate…just a little. Nevertheless, it prompted a few comments, emails and questions.

Sure the comment was, as most of my comments are, tongue in cheek, and it seems to have awoken the competitive instinct of others, but why exactly did I say that I have the worst Mercury in history? Aside from the point that it just is?

Let’s work through it, connect the dots, so to speak- that’s what we do when Mercury is in Gemini.

In traditional astrology, planets are either essentially dignified or debilitated in different signs. This is something that is necessary when it comes to horary astrology, but also, I think, important to know when understanding your own chart.

Dignity isn’t just about how straight you stand or whether you can act proper like in civilised company. Dignity, astrologically speaking, can come in many forms.

Generally speaking, planets with dignity have the motivation and power to act. It doesn’t mean that planet is good or bad (although traditionally that’s exactly what it can mean)- but the more essential dignity a planet has, the closer it conforms to its essential nature. Aspects with other planets will, of course, make this easier or more difficult.

It’s a little like the whole nature & nature debate- and how even good people can make stupid decisions if they run around with the wrong group…planets are the same.

Accidental dignity (or debility) will give the planet the power to act. This means that a planet essentially debilitated (so not operating to the best of its ability) if accidentally dignified, will have the power to do their worst. On the other hand, a planet essentially debilitated but also with accidental debility, doesn’t have any power to act- good or bad.

Get it? No?

Planets essentially debilitated, or in the sign of their fall or detriment, don’t work to their best advantage. Their behaviour is altered from the way that it should be.

Example? Take the Sun.

The Sun, in nature, is hot and dry. It’s all about radiating warmth, and everybody else orbits around it. The Sun is, by nature, ego-centric.

At home, in rulership, in spotlight centric Leo, the Sun is in his detriment in Aquarius- a sign where ego comes second to that of the group. The same applies to Aries where the Sun is exalted.

When a planet is exalted, or in the sign of its exaltation, it’s treated as a favoured guest, it’s given the good biscuits and the fluffy towels.

Aries is all about the individual, being first. It’s childlike and selfish. Yes, I said it. It’s about the ego. So is the Sun.

In Libra, however, where the Sun is in the sign of its fall, the focus is on the partnership, not the individual- the Sun is unable to act in the way that it is most comfortable.

Notice something? It’s all about the opposites.

Mercury is at its best in Gemini and Virgo- signs where information is gathered and organised. In Virgo, Mercury is both ruler and exalted. This means that when Mercury is in Pisces it is in the sign of its detriment and fall. It’s in a sign that it’s most uncomfortable in. Why? Pisces doesn’t think the way that Mercury likes to think. Pisces doesn’t learn or communicate in a way that Mercury normally likes to learn or communicate.

Then we come to accidental dignities.

A planet has some extra strength if it’s accidentally dignified by being placed on an angle- ie the 1^st, 4^th, 7^th or 10^th house. The closer to the cusp, the stronger the dignity.

A planet is said to be accidentally debilitated if it is in the 6^th, 8^th or 12^th house.

Taking our example of the Sun again, say you have your Sun in Aries. It’s exalted, it’s potentially powerful…but it’s in the 6th house- the sign of service, outsourcing and sickness. It might have the motivation to do amazing things, but it’s power is given to others. Your challenge is to find a way through service to others to help that Sun shine. Get it?

There are two other ways in which a planet can be debilitated- if it is natally retrograde or if it is combust, within 8 degrees of the Sun and therefore blinded by the Sun’s rays.

Actually, there are other ways as well, but we won’t go into these now.

So, my point is… just what was my point?… that my Mercury is about as debilitated as you can get.

I did have an astrologer (who should have known better) make the comment once that obviously I had problems with my early learning. The answer to that is a categorical WTF?

On the contrary, I read voraciously, and at an advanced level. I regularly topped my year and was, on the whole, a nerdy smart arse. The thing is, I learnt differently to that of my classmates. I still do.

Mercury may be debilitated in my chart, but somehow, I have learned how to not only adapt to that, but to make the most of it.

And, as it turns out, it’s a perfect placement for a writer- especially a writer of fiction. It’s my way of turning a debilitated planet into something that has the potential to be extraordinary.

The same can’t be said of my Saturn- which is both essentially debilitated and accidentally dignified, but that’s an entirely different story.

The message? Debilitated planets can be opportunities- it’s a matter of how you look at it.

Check out the relative dignity of your planets in the (simplified) table below and let me know- what are the trump cards in your chart?

Want to take this further?

Check out this excellent resource at Skyscript. It goes right into understanding planetary terms and face and other technical words. Then at the end, there’s a point scoring system if you really want to get serious.

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Mars, but not as you know it

I’m lost for words.

My words have gone.

Not here, and not on my other blog, but in every other way that matters, my words have gone. I wrote about it here.

I’m hoping that with Mercury in Taurus, my words have just been hanging out on the lounge watching re runs of The West Wing and other peoples good writing. I’ve been hoping that they’ve just been taking it a little easy.

I have Neptune wafting around the edges of natal Mercury, but this is more impacting my imagination- which is running overtime- than my words. I’ll write more about this later, but Neptune conjunct (natal) Mercury is sending my dreams well into mini series mode.

It also has me waiting for calls that aren’t coming, and is sending my intuition into overdrive. I’m finding that extremely uncomfortable, as I’m getting messages about others, possibly for others, and I can’t seem to shut it out. And yes, I know that I shouldn’t be, trying to shut it out, but I’m still vainly trying to grasp control of what’s in my head.…I’m rambling now.

My brain is still working well enough to blitz last weeks football trivia night, but I’m finding everything else is seriously Neptunian.

Anyways, Mercury is about to move into Gemini, the sign that it rules. And that’s a Good Thing. I’m hoping that it will kick the arse of the words that are lolling lazily in my brain being fed on comfort food, and will allow them to, if not make their way out of my throat, then at least out of my fingers onto the keyboard.

Want to know more? Check out this post from last year.

In True Blood (incidentally I stopped watching a couple of seasons ago…) the vampires glamor their prey.

By glamor I don’t mean they dressed them up and popped some make up on them, I mean that they somehow enchant their prey, delude them, disorient them, break down all of their defences.

This is what happens when you meet Neptune in the chart of another. You’re Neptunified- or rather, that part of your chart is.

Wow.

Neptune contacts can be like that.

Take Jack and Jill* as an example.

The contact was Sun (Jill) trine Neptune (Jack).  There was one back the other way too- Sun (Jack) conjunct Neptune (Jill). The aspects were easy. They glamored each other.  It was like she was under some sort of spell- so was he…and there was absolutely no sense or logic to it.

She felt like he had gotten right into her soul. He had her on a pedestal, but had no idea why or how she’d got there.

Of course none of it was real. It was also complicated- both were married, so knew it could go nowhere. Each represented what the other felt was missing in their relationship.

When it’s new, a Neptune romance is soft and magical- rather like you’ve been gently sprinkled with pink fairy dust. You exist in your own little champagne bubbly world without awareness of the consequences.

When the rose coloured haze that clouded their eyes faded, what was left was, well, a rather disappointing reality. Although they had some nice personal planet-personal planet contacts happening, there was nothing in the synastry to indicate anything more than a fling.

When the end came, it was like waking from a dream- although the fall was much more dramatic than that.

Neptune falls can be like that.

They can also be as gentle as letting go of a balloon and watching it float away out of your reach.

Jill says she still dreams about Jack.

Anyways, at it’s best, a Neptune contact with another inspires you, it touches you spiritually, it uplifts you, it sensitizes you and it enchants you.

At its worst, a Neptune contact with another deceives you, weakens you, deludes you, confuses you and wreaks havoc. This happens often at the same time as you’re being inspired, sensitized, uplifted and enchanted…

For the non Neptune person, for at least a time, the part of their chart being Neptunified becomes very Piscean indeed. If you’re natally not very Piscean, ie few personal planets in Pisces, in the 12^th house or with close aspects to Neptune, you may find this contact uncomfortable- without really knowing why.

So, you’re being Neptunified by the perfect man or woman. What do you do? Let go immediately? Run screaming for the hills?

Even if it doesn’t work out, Neptune contacts are the ones that you talk about with your girlfriends for many years after. If it does last,it’s the love story you’ll be telling your grandkids about.

The time to run is if you find yourself in a co dependent relationship or a situation where you’re being exploited…Neptune contacts can be like that too.

When Neptune is involved, there is no straight answer.

If you can, take the glasses off, and take a clear eyed view and ask yourself whether you’re projecting something onto him (or her) that is your thing, your ideal- not his.

Many times a Neptune contact will bring you together, cast a spell across early intimacy- but it’s the other contacts that will keep the relationship going long after the fairy dust has cleared.

Be aware too if you are glamoring someone else.

Very often this isn’t a physical thing (although often with Neptune/Venus or Neptune/Mars it can be…). To someone out there, you might be a Goddess.

If you are, be gentle and sensitive regarding their feelings, taking care to inspire rather than weaken.

In the wrong hands, a little too much Neptune can easily turn into a tool for manipulation and exploitation- you have been warned!

*names changed to protect the (not so) innocent.

Think this is you?

Take a look at his chart. Do any of your personal planets (Sun-Mars, in particular) aspect his Neptune? Keep the aspects at about 5 degrees, and stick to the traditional aspects.

What about the other way? Do any of his personal planets aspect your Neptune?

The fine print:

• Synastry contacts between two people who are not yet together are not a promise that they ever will be together- it is, however, a promise of a possibility of what could happen if they ever did get together.
• A Neptune contact does not mean that you’re destined to be together, hook up or even pass the time of day, but if you do, it will feel as if you have a soul connection.
• Very often Neptune contacts remain a fantasy simply because the idea of shattering the dream and taking the risk is way too scary… and no, this doesn’t mean that yours will be unrequited, just that…oh whatever…

And the title? Under the Influence by Kylie Minogue…take a listen…

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Something about rose coloured glasses, romance & realism- Venus square Neptune

I really want you- Venus/Neptune transits

Where is it written that one should live in the real world? Since when is reality more fun than daydreaming? Who says that romance is dead? Why do people want to encourage you to throw away your fantasies?

Venus square Neptune presents questions like these. Sure you may be just a tad idealistic and unrealistic in your romantic dealings. Sure you may put the object of your affection up on a pedestal that no mortal can possibly stand on for long. But you know what? Everyone has the right to live like a Piscean for 24 hours or so, or more specifically like someone with Venus in Pisces, or someone with a 12^th house Venus…or both.

This transit brings out the unattainable, the short term and the impossible- rose coloured glasses, little cafes where someone is playing La Vie en Rose and smooching along the Left Bank of the Seine (or whatever side it is that you are supposed to smooch along). A weekend in a luxury hotel or an island resort with someone you have fantasised about for too long that you know you can never have and should never have.

Very often the boundaries that break down now weren’t real to start with- so it is with relationships that are formed now. Enjoy them, but be aware that love affairs now will be romanticized.

At the very least this aspect stimulates the imagination, sends of sparks of creativity, inspiration and artistic temperament.

And, it’s happening in the sky…now.

me as a toddler…possibly the last time my hair was straight…

I posted this last year for Mothers Day, and you know what? The sentiments haven’t changed. So, in time for Mothers Day tomorrow (her in Aus), here’s a little about Mum and Moon.

April Elliott Kent posted one of the best blogs I have read around Mother and Moon aspects in the natal chart- The Moon and Momzilla. That article got me thinking about my chart and my Mum…and our relationship.

Astrologers will tell you that difficult aspects to the Moon, ie squares, oppositions and conjunctions with some of the more “difficult” planets, will mean you had (or have) a difficult relationship with your Mother. In many cases this may be true, but as with all things astrological, there are many more less literal readings of the situation.

Take my Moon for example. In Pisces in the 1^st house (I wear my heart on my sleeve- when you see me, you see my Moon), my Moon has some difficult aspects to deal with:

• Conjunct Chiron
• Conjunct (out of sign, so I pretend it doesn’t exist) Saturn (less than 3 degrees)
• Opposite Pluto
• Opposite Uranus

According to astrologers I have encountered over the years, this tells me the following about my mother:

• Conjunct Chiron- My mother died or abandoned me when I was child. My Mum is still extremely present (and, even more impressively, the same weight as the day she got married). The only abandonment I suffered was the usual separation and responsibilities as a result of being the eldest of 4.
• Conjunct Saturn- indicates a lonely, oppressive or otherwise burdened childhood. Nope. Sure we moved around a lot, sure I had responsibility, but trust me when you have younger brothers and sisters the problem is usually one of fantasising about being alone than actually getting the opportunity to be so.
• Opposite Pluto- rejected by Mother early in life- either real or imagined. I’m the eldest of four and with this much Pisces require high emotional maintenance. Whatever.
• Opposite Uranus- according to Stephen Arroyo in The Chart Interpretation Handbook “there is a gnawing desire to change over one’s identity in a radical way, and to rid oneself of all past encumbrances and conditioning…these people usually find it hard to be happy in the present since they are always powerfully aware of the impact of the past (the Moon) and the future (Uranus). Hmmmmmm- I can’t really argue with this one!

I have been told that I am in denial, that I really do have huge “iss-ues” that need addressing that I brush under the carpet. Again, whatever. Perhaps, but I don’t think so. Sure I have had my “mother” issues- most women do at some point in time.  But, contrary to popular astrological wisdom, my Mum is not harsh, difficult, over bearing, oppressive, power hungry, unstable or absent. Instead, I had a relatively problem free childhood in a fully functional and stable family with two parents who both have our security as their primary concern. In fact, we possibly are a dysfunctional family because of our functionality.

My Mum was (and is) a stay at home Mum who managed to bring us all up with remarkably few hang-ups…and we have all done pretty well for ourselves and have never gone without anything.

Yes, we have had problems in our relationship…because that is what it is, a relationship. I am extremely watery, extremely emotional, selfish in the way that New Moon and 1^st house Suns often are, and have control issues. My Mum is all Air (Sun, Venus and Mercury in Aquarius) and Earth. She has no water. We are two very different people with two very different sets of priorities and trigger points.

My Mum isn’t perfect, no one is…not even me J. In fact, just as in April’s post, the flawed female in this relationship is me.  I am the restless one, the emotionally unstable one, the one who has power issues.

Moon/Saturn is me. I am the one who has difficulty with emotional expression. I am the one who has the self confidence of a flea (if, indeed a flea has self confidence) and is defensive around feedback of all types. I am the one who is always going for “good enough”. I am the one who as a child saw criticism where there was encouragement to do better.

Moon/Pluto is also me. Sure my Mum has some pretty Plutonic stuff that went down when she was a kid, but I am the one who is almost compulsively drawn to rejection in order to avoid dependency and loss.

Moon/Uranus is me. My moods come fast and erratically. I am the kid who would stand there with her chin stuck out and her hands on her hips and declare her right to independence, her right to freedom of speech, her right to freedom of thought, her right to be right…and that of whatever my latest cause was.

I am proud of my Mum and I love my Mum- she has done an amazing job with 4 very different children. She is also the very best possible mother for someone like me. With the amount of Pisces and water that I have in my chart, the very likely potential would be for me to wind up broke and broken in a gutter somewhere, addicted to something (possibly anything), with a series of destructive relationships behind me.

If I had a Mum that had allowed me full rein and indulgence of my emotions and did not apply the boundaries that she did, and didn’t push me to perform academically in the way that she did, or ask me to take responsibility in the way that she did, I would be a very different version of myself. Thanks to my Mum and her strength, that is not the case.

The astrology may show me a perception of my relationship with my Mum, but it doesn’t show me the reality of it, the potential of it or the triumphs and challenges of it. To see that I would need to look at both charts from a viewpoint of relationship astrology…and that presents a very different and clearer picture. How else can I look at the Moon aspects in the charts of my brother and sisters and see four very different patterns for the same mother?

I look at my own daughter’s Moon aspects (an exact conjunction between the Moon and Neptune) and wonder what issues I will pass on to her. I also look at the relationship synastry between my daughter and my mother and see a relationship that will be positive, supportive and one of true friendship. My daughter’s Aries Sun, Mercury and Mars are conjunct Mum’s Aries Moon. Her Moon is conjunct my Mum’s Sun. Mum’s Venus and Mercury is conjunct my daughters’ Venus. There is some really lovely synastry there.

Perhaps as astrologers, instead of jumping to conclusions about clients’ relationships with their Mother, we take a more balanced approach. Sure Moon aspects (especially the challenging ones) tell us some pretty impressive information about our sub conscious and our feelings toward our families and our Mums, but judgements should not be made in isolation. Mother/child relationships are just that- relationships…each one different, each one important with those experiences touching us intensely in a truly formative way.

My Mum taught me a lot- the bit about never knitting a man a jumper until you are married to him (if you do, it is guaranteed the wedding won’t happen…which could be useful information if you also want to get rid of a man ) I found extremely useful, as was her very special chook meditation (don’t ask). I can only hope that my daughter treasures my pieces of wisdom as much- especially the one about no matter how late, drunk or tired you are, the make- up needs to come off.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mums of bubs and furry bubs. Happy Mothers Day to all those who are nurturing something or somebody. After all, that is what being a mother is really all about. Happy Mothers Day to my Mum, her Mum and my husbands’ Mum- you have all made our little family what it is and the three of us (four, if you include Kali the wonder spaniel) thank you.