The Flow! Week of April 8 – 14, 2012
The Flow is a weekly blog published to better understand the flow of astrological, celestial, and magickal energies for the week, and how best to use them. It is intended for those with little knowledge of astrology.
For newcomers, the idea is to consider celestial influences as part of a larger whole, or the Flow. All too often, astrologers tend to write about astrological events as if each were an isolated specimen as if pulled out of the sky and analyzed by itself – and there is no dearth of astrological sites on the net that write that way. Here, it is the movement and interactions that are important and form the basis of discussion.
If any of the material is unclear or unfamiliar to you, it is probably unfamiliar to others as well, please leave a comment and I will be glad to answer your questions.
If you like what you see, please share it with friends! If you would like to get email notifications for when The Flow! is updated, or have a private question please email me at skywatcher888@yahoo.com. Thank you!
The Flow! is updated every Sunday.
Please note: all times are in the Pacific Timezone.
Synopsis for the week: Power Plays
This week is all about power, but not the kind of power that likes to be displayed openly where you can see it, feel it, recognize it and, perhaps, fight it. Oh no, not this kind of power.
This kind of power works behind the scenes. Carefully pulling strings, calling in favors, patting backs, and manipulating things between the sheets. Soft, smooth, silky, shimmering satin sheets.
Power that dare not abide the light of day, but can be more effective than a nuclear missle. Hidden power. Secret power. Power to shake worlds.
On Tuesday, April 10th, Pluto goes retrograde at 9:24am.
In ancient Greek mythology, Pluto ruled a third of the world, the underworld, along with his brothers Zeus (Jupiter) who ruled the sky, and Poseidon (Neptune) who ruled the seas. Certainly at least as far back as Plato, Pluto was twinned with Plutus, god of wealth. It kind of makes sense since so much that generates wealth comes from the ground.
Perhaps the added association of wealth was designed to smooth over any bad feelings, since Pluto definitely got the raw end of the deal ruling over the dreary shadowy world of the spirits of the dead. Long before Halloween parties had been invented, zombies, ghosts, and skeletons weren’t exactly known for getting down.
But one must acknowledge that death is a rather significant destination, and affects us all most deeply, regardless of how much we try to run away from it. You may never fly through the air with the greatest of ease, you may never stick your toe in an ocean, but sure as sunrise, eventually, you are going to wind up in the ground. And death is arguably the most immensely transforming experience any living creature will ever endure.
The pull of that power on our psyche and our cultural psychology can not be understated.
And too, the Greeks did not live in the most stable of places. I can speak from experience that it only takes a moderate earthquake to instill one with an intimate understanding of the power of earth, and can only imagine what it must be like to live through a volcanic eruption such as occurred at Santorini.
So, in modern astrology, Pluto is considered the planet associated with transformation, change, upheaval, and the deeps. It also is linked with resources found in the ground such as minerals and oil. And Pluto is power in the sense of the ability to effect great power that is all out of proportion to its perceptible size.
Pluto is like the tiny martial arts master that can toss a giant on his back; Pluto is atomic power, great power generated by splitting infinitesimally small atoms; Pluto is like the force of gravity, invisible, strong, and inexorable; or Pluto can be like a psychological obsession that seems to come out of nowhere and drives us bananas.
In that sense, it’s interesting in how all that works out, because earthquakes have great power, but are created by relatively small breaks in the earth’s crust. It would be like breaking a breadstick and your kitchen splits in two.
I don’t want to give the wrong impression, however. Just because Pluto is currently strong, doesn’t mean we’re all a step away from imminent destruction. But it DOES mean that things are likely to be intense, deep, powerful, and strong, and with Pluto Retrograde, that it’s influence will be internalized, making it even stronger while less perceptible, and for that reason, more dangerous.
On Friday evening, April 13th (yes, a Friday the 13th!) Mars goes direct.
Mars is also a planet of great power, but power more easily recognized. If you see a guy with muscles rippling on top of muscles, you know he is going to be strong. Mars, god of warriors, is that kind of power.
Upfront. In your face. Aggressive. Forceful.
Astrologers have been dealing with Mars for far longer than they’ve known about Pluto, so our knowledge of the planet is greater as is the breadth of his associations.
The Greek version of Mars, Ares, was not a nice guy.
He was said to be “overwhelming, insatiable in battle, destructive, and man-slaughtering, ” and his only known pals were Fear (Phobos) and Terror (Deimos). Even the Greeks didn’t much like him.
Mars, on the other hand, was a different spear. Mars was originally the god who protected agricultural fields, and this eventually evolved into his dominion over protecting the motherland, up to and including all of the arts of war. He was worshiped by the Romans only second to Jupiter, and was the patron god of all the Legions.
I guess that’s how you build an empire. At least in ancient days before banks were invented.
Astrologically, Mars is energy. He is force, strength, drive, and power. He is active, pushy, aggressive, assertive, courageous, and even a bit pugnacious. He almost always enjoys getting in fights, so that he can learn to be a better fighter. If somebody moved your cheese, Mars made him do it.
Mars is associated with iron and steel (think plows and swords), the color red, so obviously blood comes to mind, sharp objects (the better to kill you), astringents, acids, and sarcasm, the most fatal tool of them all.
Mars moves us forward and finds inaction intolerable. He is constantly busy, but more then just fiddling around with trifles, he is intensely goal oriented. And the work he enjoys most is that which has a productive value to help him achieve those goals. Now you know why men like tools.
Like Venus, Mars also has a role to play in the nature of one’s desires, but more than wants and needs, Mars deals with our hungers, lusts, and passions. He has no time or interest in petty distractions. He is designed to function like an arrow, and sees only the target. He will directly go after what he wants and will fight until he gets it, or can fight no more.
Remember the Romans. When Rome was small and agricultural, so was Mars. When Rome was mighty and militaristic, so was Mars. Mars indicates one’s intentionality, and how one makes thoughts, dreams, and wishes real.
So.
Mars is moving forward, meaning that he is becoming more active and direct. Pluto is moving backwards, so he is turning inwards, and more indirect. Together they combine to set great power plays in motion that are not easily seen or discerned. It isn’t necessarily that they’re working against each other, it’s more like cross-currents in which at one level things flow in one direction while on another they’re flowing differently. Kind of when during a storm you see lower clouds moving in a completely different direction that the upper ones, or like an undertow in the water.
And without knowing where you’re stepping, you can get drowned. And you’re much to valuable to me as readers of my blog to let you go traipsing off to meet Pluto prematurely. All speaking figuratively, of course.
There are two ways to handle this situation best.
The first is to be well grounded in what you say and what you do. Don’t go flying off the handle or shoot off your mouth without good evidence behind you. If you have plans to implement, make sure you have done your homework, and that your research and diligence support your cause. If there is a move you wish to make, make sure you are emotionally prepared for both a positive or negative outcome so that you will be well grounded and able to manage the next step no matter how things turn out. The last think you need are any emotional earthquakes in the midst of any coup de grace.
The other way is to not accept things at face value without some level of comfort that there is something deeper beyond superficial appearances. If you have a discussion and reach an agreement, get something in writing. If someone says something important to you, follow up soon after to be sure that your understanding and theirs remains the same. And keep in mind that with regard to important projects and reports that what is going on behind the scenes is ever more important than what is placed in front of you.
Will people in power try to pull the wool over your eyes? No way! They’re gonna put the whole sheep. And you know what THAT sounds like.
Be on guard. Accept no wooden nickels, don’t buy any bridges, and avoid all snake oils. At least till next year when it’s the year of the snake.
Hold your ground. Hold your own. And hold your nose, there’s a shipload of bull coming!
For the most part, this energy will be around for most of this week and next until the New Moon on the 21st.
And then from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “There is no knowledge that is not power.”
Bona fortuna sit semper!
Courtesy of Sky & Telescope magazine
Courtesy of Sky & Telescope magazine
Courtesy of Sky & Telescope magazine
To the Daily Details!
Sunday, April 8th
Sun tri-octile Mars at 1:07am
Sun quincunx Moon at 3:15pm
Happy Easter!
The Moon is in Scorpio all day, and it’s a good one to be out there an active as much as possible so that you don’t get drawn in to any of the emotional drama that is lying in wait like a spider’s web looking to trap the unsuspecting. Since this is a day when families often get together, play it calm, play it safe, take no sides, and try to stay out of any topical “discussions” that frequently leave broken feelings, broken hearts, and broken crockery littered all over the place. Feelings are running high, and for some reason people may feel inclined to take it out on those they know and love the most. The gods only know the humor behind the link between gravy tureens and guilt trips, and hidden in all those lovely Easter eggs is a mini Machiavelli lurking to manipulate the unwary. Beware evil peeps! Let them have their fun – just not with you. It doesn’t get much better, either, the rest of the day except for at the very end before midnight, perhaps as a relief that it’s over.
Monday, April 9th
Venus sextiles Uranus at 9:51am
Sun octile the Moon at 5:12pm at 6º Sagittarius
The Moon enters Sagittarius at 8:12am, and as long-time readers of this blog will know, that’s a relief. We leave behind the heavy mishegas of the last couple of days with the Moon in Scorpio and the heaviness in our hearts for no apparent reason begins to lift. Sometimes the dividing line between the two is readily apparent, considering all the negative aspects of yesterday, I suspect today’s will be as well. Too bad it’s a Monday.
It is, however, a very good day for business of all kinds. Projects, transactions, contracts, purchases, research, and reporting are all favored throughout the day. If you have a bit of commerce, communicating, or creating to do you should be able to make good progress today if you can avoid spending the day on Facebook. Eastern Asians may even find themselves inspired around lunch time, though for them it will be Tuesday. Note any brilliant flashes of insight you may receive early afternoon, they could be worth their weight in gold later in the week! Americans may experience the same in the early evening on Monday, and Europeans Monday evening. (Oy, having a blog read by people all over the world gets so complicated! – good, but complicated!)
Tuesday, April 10th
Pluto turns Retrograde at 9:24am
Sun octile Venus at 7:21pm
Sun trine Moon at 7:51pm at 22º Sagittarius
Today can possibly be a great day if the energies are used wisely. In the very early morning we get a refresher in what our responsibilities and obligations are. We really want to do the right thing, but knowing what that is isn’t often easy. This morning we get a bit of a reminder of what’s really important and why. That can be useful info to put on a sticky-note. Soon after sunrise there’s a good possibility of a better understanding how to control a difficult situation. In the afternoon our emotions are again triggered strongly in a manner that reveals how well connected we are to the things that are important in life. Value(s) are apt to loom large today, especially in the afternoon. Some of the things you value and the manner you value them may all come under review after sunset. Feel free to use any insights or experiences you have to readjust your life’s priorities.
Wednesday, April 11th
No major aspects
Europeans would be well advised not to try to install any new software in the earlier part of the morning, what you wanted and what gets installed may be two totally separate beasts. The rest of us will probably get interruptions in our dreams. The Moon enters Capricorn at 10:01am, and our collective mood turns more serious, dour, and sour. The gains of the earlier part of the week may be called into question as opposing forces try to fight back against our progress. The key to victory in this situation is to remain true to your beliefs and the belief that you are in the right. The afternoon is actually a good time to let some old bugaboo go, put something important in the mail, submit plans, or to publish a report or other document. People are not likely to be in a very good mood this evening, but it may take more than a clown suit and a funny face to make them smile. There’s likely to be a feeling of defeat in the air as we close the day, but it is only defeat if we let defeat defeat us. Remember, there is lots going on at this time that is not what it seems, and feelings of defeat are likely to fall under this category. There is something about this situation you’re not perceiving properly, you just may need to give things more time.
Thursday, April 12th
Mercury quincunx Saturn at 12:16am
The mood begins to shift on Thursday, as there’s almost a strong sense of urgency in anticipation of Mars turning direct tomorrow. We’re nervous, anxious, and edgy with a feeling that something important is about to happen. It is, as I’ve been saying, Mars is going to go direct, and people’s ambitions are going to come out of the woodwork like termites. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if there were some kind of military action initiated today, or some statements that are made that warn of that. Nothing too widespread, but something significant on the world stage all the same. Have you noticed that people are saying incredibly stupid things lately? Don’t be one of them, speak from your brain, not your gut.
Friday, April 13th
Sun square Moon at 3:50am at 24º Capricorn
Mars turns Direct at 8:53pm
Very early in the morning the veil between the worlds becomes very permeable. If you are in need of a message from “the other side,” now would be a good time to ask for it. If you do receive a message, treat it with the respect it deserves. And if you have any meaningful dreams or emotionally powerful coincidences, pay them the heed they deserve. A message is significantly more desirable than a spiritual frying pan hitting you on the head because you didn’t get the memo!
The Moon enters Aquarius at 2:48pm and things get interesting. People get a bit looser, and are more willing to express their more eccentric side, especially with the Sun in Aries. It’s the small things in life that seem to matter most, and that’s not a bad thing. An avenue to happiness is possible late this evening. Instead of watching another boring late night TV show, you might want to watch a fun movie you’ve been thinking about seeing. It might just trigger some helpful changes.
Saturday, April 14th
Venus quincunx Pluto at 9:52am
This hasn’t exactly been a week of jolly aspects, and today is no exception to that rule. While in the early morning we may be feeling a bit chipper, if later on you find yourself feeling down or down in the mouth, doing something nice for someone else should suffice to turn that frown into a smile. We’re still feeling restless after Mars has gone direct, and we need an outlet to express that energy. Since Mars is still in Virgo, doing some cleaning may help improve your mood as well. Even, perhaps, more than you might think. With so many energies at cross-purposes this afternoon it’s probably a good idea not to make any important decisions, but wait until the situation is clearer and we don’t feel quite so pressed to take action for action’s sake. Yes, you may feel like you’re rearing to go, but it’s likely best to store that energy somewhere safe rather than using it now to run off half-cocked. In the evening, it’s best to kick back, relax, and let the tensions of the week slough off your back, raise a glass of your favorite beverage and ring in a new week!
Wishing you all a wonderful week!
April 8, 2012
skywatcher888
Skywatcher888's Blog - The Flow! 