The Seacoast Astrological Association meets the second Tuesday of each month except for January and February at the Roundabout Diner in Portsmouth, NH. Cost: $10. Doors Open at 6:30 PM EST. Conference Call In Option is available. See our Membership Link for more information.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Promises, Predictions and Meaning Making


At the cusp of a new year, we can look back at a wildly eventful 2013, from awful to awesome. Events mostly define us by the meaning we give them, a challenging task. As I lift a symbolic cup of cheer, I thank R. Ann Rousseau for this vehicle by which we are free to express and process our collective journeys, and I thank you for joining me. In a world where free speech is a right not all enjoy, so often abused or misunderstood, may we cherish it and use responsibility, to heal, not hurt. If, “in the beginning was the Word,” language empowers us. Observe a 3-year old acquire language skills to see this in action. As a toddler learns to negotiate, reality is transformed with one word: “why” except for cultures that forbid the question, lest it threaten authoritarian rule.

Meaning is not static! It mixes quark-and-antiquark[1] so for anyone who proclaims life’s meaning as an absolute, an opposing view absolutely exists. I love that quarks have 6 ‘flavors’: up, down, strange, charm, bottom and top, with 4 intrinsic properties: electric charge, mass, color charge and spin. It seems to me that quark/antiquark theory resonates well with our ability to conceive of the core of our being, our why. In reviewing 2013, I reread my Blogs and found threads that wove a coat of meaning in my wish to connect with you. I hope my blogs gave you some support in finding your evolving why.

In 1970, I studied with the Dutch sage and genius Jo Onvlee, who conceived of Un-time, which we defined in The Gift of the Tortoise: New Insights Into the I Ching: “between perceivable quanta of time” and “the idea of time as a cyclic flow, wherein recognizable moments of compressed time-quanta are made visible as the jumps which Time makes through Un-time.” 

If you leave the body, between incarnations you are in Un-Time or, as has also been called, limbo. The premise of the I Ching oracle is: ask why, and trust that the universe will drop hints about what it means. Meaning is where we find it, and often subjective, like quarks that can spin!

So what of promise and prediction? Isabel Hickey spoke of an unformed future that is formed by the choices we make today, for which we become responsible. This echoes Epigenetics, which show that lifestyle choices trigger genetic dispositions, turning genes off or on by our actions. Speaking of action, some astrologers are watching a heavenly Cardinal (action) Cross; welcome to my world! My chart has a Cardinal Cross, to which I credit learning to cope with crises at a young age. I anticipate crises and rely on instinct and foresight to prepare, to reduce the odds of things going awry. The secret of many of my accomplishments is sensing what crisis may result were I to shirk a duty, ignore my conscience or neglect to use my talents. Wanting not to hurt others drives me, more than a desire to please.

What can you do in 2014 to ensure that you can look back a year from now without regret? A year ago, my answer to that led me to complete Forces At Work: Astrology and Career and Before This Song Ends: A Timeless Romance , the latter launched at the New Moon on Dec. 2nd, favoring Higher Mind. In 2014, may the precious gift of time bless us all. The future is ours to form as we boldly follow our consciences.

Cheers!
Amy Shapiro

[1] Source: Wikipedia

Subscribe to Explore Beyond the Usual™ by Email
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR


For 40+ years, Astrologer Amy Shapiro has nurtured soul growth with skills and services drawn on her training with Astrologer Isabel Hickey, William Swygaard, Jo Onvlee, John Chung Li and Dr. Oskar Adler. Amy was the first Clerk for NCGR and an early President of NCGR- Boston. She co-discovered a technique with Astrologer Ron Davison called The Relationship Chart or as she calls it The Conception Chart of the Relationship due to its esoteric implications.

Her TV and radio show, "Good Heavens!" won her wide acclaim with the public and her Good Heaven’s column appeared monthly in Dell Horoscope Magazine. She founded the Cape Ann School of Astrology and has been a consultant, editor and writer for Para Research, Astral Research, Cosmic Communications and Dell Horoscope. After earning her MA in Education and Psychology, she earned an M.Ed. in Counseling, and trained in stress management, T’ai Chi, meditation, visualization; reincarnation, hypnotherapy and nutrition. She has been as a Head Start Advisor, taught at Wheelock and Endicott Colleges, and trained at Harvard’s Mind-Body Institute and New England Society of Clinical Hypnosis.


She has dedicated 20+ years to The Testament of Astrology, 7-volume course by Austrian Astrologer Dr. Oskar Adler, and has now published a comprehensive Curriculum Guide for the entire 7 volume series. She has also written and published Dr. Adler's biography called Dr. Oskar Adler: A Complete Man. Her other books include One Sex to the Other – Reincarnation and the Dual-Gender SoulThe Dis-Appointment Book –A Human Therapy Guide to Conquering Disappointments She coauthored the book Questioning the Oracle—The IChingThe Gift of the Tortoise-New Insights into the I-ChingNever Mind, and Forces at Work: Astrology and Career, Before This Song Ends - A Timeless Romance.

With her husband, Ed Kaznocha, Amy raised two sons in Gloucester, MA, where they enjoy gardening and landscaping. She can be reached at www.NewAgeSages.com


Other Blog Posts by Amy: Mass Wedding Bells on 11/12/13, Ride the Wave of a Rare Grand Water TrineCourage and Compassion … in a SongLoss, Love and Poetry in Times of ChaosMaster of the WheelEnergy Shifts in 2013 as Pluto dips into the Taurus Decanate of CapricornBirthing Pains & Rewards: Saturn Sextiles Pluto on 12/27/12December 2012 Astrological Forecast Rousseau's Novel Romance ~ Portsmouth: A Love StoryOctober 2012 Astrological ForecastMars in Scorpio - What Legacy Compels You to Act?A Gardener’s Dream: No Soil? No Problem!The Mercury Wave: Retro Direct, Astrological Forecast for August 2012This Pivotal Year ~ Uranus goes Retrograde on July 13th2012 A Pivotal Year2012 - A Pivotal Year - Coping with ChangesWhose Astrologer Are You?


Seacoast Astrological Association Portsmouth NH Astrological Forecast for January 2014

When I looked at the energies in play for the first day of a very welcome New Year, it reminded me of a warrior in a business suit (Capricorn) saying, “I’m going in! I know I’m going take some heat (Mars), but nothing is going to stop me!” (Sun, Moon, Pluto Mercury sitting together in Capricorn). If anyone knows Capricorn energy, I do. I have a stellium in Capricorn in my chart—a chart I share with Jeff Bezos. Right about now, Jeff Bezos may be saying just those words as he starts his new business venture with the Washington Post.

The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Pluto sitting in the most ambitious sign of the zodiac is enough to blow the doors open on your goals and career plans in the New Year. I’ll go so far as to say, you almost can’t wait to put your plans into place. The first day of the month may frustrate you because you can’t start any sooner because everyone is still on vacation! The best way to spend New Years Day and a New Moon in Capricorn is to start writing up a business plan for something you’ve been mulling around in your head for awhile. With Jupiter and Venus still retrograde, it’s not the time to sign the articles of incorporation quite yet. It is a super fantastic time to get serious about putting your long held dream on paper and putting some forward motion behind it. There may be naysayers around you with Mars in polite Libra sparking some to question your bold ambition, “Come on honey…do you really think we ought to be doing this right now? Do you really want to do this? What about us…OUR relationship? Shouldn’t THAT take priority…blah, blah, blah.” Let them talk and whine about your plans all they want. You have so much power behind them that nothing and no one will stop you! The Capricorn energy is slow, focused and powerful – just the right ingredients to climb the mountain of success. If anyone tries to hang on your back, cut them loose. You have places to go, important people to meet and projects to get off the ground.

On January 2, your will to succeed (Sun in Capricorn) will meet with a mean girl square from Mars in Libra. Think of a southern woman trying to manipulate you with sweet judgment just as sharp as any knife. You’ll be frustrated today. Just buck up and keep moving forward.

On January 3, Communicative Mercury in ambitious Capricorn will oppose expansive Jupiter in sensitive Cancer. You’ll get positive feedback on your ideas. Philosophical discussions could help you to tweak your plans. With oppositions to Jupiter, there’s a small risk of over exaggerating. Don’t promise more than you can deliver. Enjoy the dose of mental optimism. Communication and Transportation stocks may be up today but more on anticipation than actual hard core facts.

On Janauary 5, the Sun in serious Capricorn is opposing optimistic Jupiter in protective Cancer. Again, good feelings with a warning of not over-promising what you can deliver. You might tell others about your big plans. Make sure you have all i’s dotted before you go off the deep end and jump into the project. It may trip you up later. A good Capricorn enjoys the good feelings of the moment…cautiously. Use the positive momentum to stay focused on your New Years goal. We might see the stock market jump higher—mostly on food and staple items. It’s a fool’s play.

January 6, is a good day to focus on the fundamentals of your life and any stock picks. Mercury in corporate Capricorn is in a harmonious sextile to serious Saturn in OPM (Other People’s Money) Scorpio. It’s a good day to sign for a loan with the bank or lend money. It’s a great day for business meetings where solid plans can be made and commitments have a chance for follow through. Good day for serious conversations and working through the details. Progress can me made. The S&P 500 should be humming today.

On January 7th, Mercury is conjunct Venus in Capricorn. Ordinarily, this aspect would be good for declaring your love for someone or discussing the particulars of your relationship. But the energies are in business-like Capricorn, so think money and business discussions. It’s can be a good day to go over the family finances as well as your business finances. Interviews or meetings will be friendly and professional. It’s a good day to socialize in the office or meet new people, approach new client opportunities. Not a bad day to start a new job. You’ll feel welcome wherever you go today.

On January 8th, aggressive Mars in make-nice Libra is in a challenging square to optimistic Jupiter in Cancer. Squares involving Jupiter are usually not too rough, but you may come across as too pushy—stepping on someone’s territory (Cancer) without realizing it. Libra and Cancer are softer energies so there won’t be major blow ups just an uncomfortable feeling. If you were lucky enough to drum up a sales opportunity yesterday with a new client, don't push the envelope today. Tomorrow is better.

On Janauary 11th, is power packed if you like business strategies and goal fulfillment. Financially savvy Venus in serious business Capricorn will be in a harmonius sextile to structured Saturn in shared resources Scorpio. The Sun in Capricorn will be conjunct diplomatic Venus in Capricorn—a friendly business aspect. The Sun in Capricorn will be in a harmonious sextile to Saturn in Scorpio. This day was made for solid success! Good for pushing a piece of legislation through; the stock market should be up overall, conditions are good to solidify business deals and financing for business deals. You’ll feel good about what you accomplish today.

On January 14th, Mercury in Capricorn will be in a challenging square to Mars in Libra. You may have some good solid business ideas (Mercury) which someone will challenge, but not come right out and say so. Mars in Libra is sugar coated aggression. People will feel pissy which could have a trickle down effect. Communication and transportation stocks may be a little volatile.

On January 16th: Venus in Capricorn will be in a challenging square to Mars in Libra. There’s also a Full Moon in crabby Cancer today. With a lot of planets in ambitious Capricorn this month, you could take some flack from family/romantic partners that you’re spending too much time at the office or on projects. Oppositions (Sun opposing Moon) always speak to the need for balance. Use the Cancer full moon to express feelings you’ve been keeping on the back burner. The full moon can mean endings where endings need to happen. Perhaps it’s time to cut some emotional ties that aren’t meeting your needs. If you want to accomplish anything today , remember, no one likes a whiner, especially your Capricorn friends.

On January 17th, Mercury in Aquarius is in a harmonius sextile to radical Uranus in entrepreneurial Aries. You have big ideas about how your future should look, and you’ve got the energy to boldly move forward with them. There’s an extra dose of intellectual electricity in the air. Reach out and capture a few of those ideas in The Field today. Good day for communication/airline stocks.

On January 24th, Mercury in Aquarius makes a harmonius trine to Mars in Libra. It’s a great day to talk about the future of a relationship (Libra). Aquarius and Libra are air signs. It’s good day to stay in motion. Fly or drive somewhere and start up conversations with people you’ve never met—perhaps in transit. Potential new clients will be receptive to you today. You’re curious today and the energy is fast paced, communicative and diplomatic in a good way.

January 25: Mercury in independent Aquarius makes a challenging square to stay-in-the- lines Saturn in Scorpio. Even though Aquarius is independent minded, it’s a fixed sign. So is Scorpio. There may be a ‘dig in your heels’ disagreement with authority today. You might have some brilliant ideas about the way things could be, but Saturn the boss in Scorpio says, “N.O.!” When I see Mercury square Saturn aspects, it just means a big fat NO. Don’t interview anywhere or try to get a loan. What will the answer be? NO! Plan around today. The best use of the energy is to stick your nose to the computer grindstone and don’t ask for any favors. Down day for communication/transportation stocks.

Jupiter in Cancer in retrograde motion will start to make an opposition to Pluto in Capricorn today. The intensity will last for about a week. The aspect will be exact on January 31. Oppositions have to do with relationships—business, personal or both and issues that need to be worked out. Think self righteous resistance. This could be symbolic of government legislation or Democrat/Republican infighting that leads to a stand off. There are those who take the conservative Capricorn power position and those who take the position that we need to be generous (Jupiter) or protective to those in need (Cancer). Discussions may start out friendly and hopeful. The closer we get to January 31st, the more volatile this aspect gets. Not a good aspect for homebuilder stocks and those industries that cater to real estate.

January 29th, the Sun in inventive Aquarius is in a harmonius sextile to its ruler Uranus in entrepreneurial Aries. The day is electric. People will be receptive to your new ideas. It’s a fast-paced, upbeat day. You may meet new people (Aquarius rules friendship), start new projects, or create something new. The energy is ripe for getting projects off the ground. If you have meetings today, they should go well, with new ideas for moving things forward coming out of the blue. Venus (Desire) and Pluto (transformation) are still in Capricorn so your ideas or plans may actually have a chance to make it to the finish line. Science and technology stocks could do well today. Nasdaq should be up.

On January 30th, the electric energy we’ve been experiencing over the last week or so keeps moving into a New moon in futuristic Aquarius. The New Moon is square to Uranus in Aries. Venus and Pluto are sitting together in Capricorn opposing Jupiter in Cancer. What does this all mean? We may be anxious to start something new but we’re spooked by unexpected news. We may end up trying to protect our positions rather than spring into our new plans.

The markets could be volatile with tech stocks taking a whack. Money may flow to safe corporate bonds/stocks where prices will get bloated. The volatility may be the result of news coming out, perhaps from government regarding future plans or something completely unexpected from left field that doesn’t sit well with investors.

On January 31st, Venus in Capricorn goes Direct. It’s been in retrograde motion since December 21st. Venus rules our desires, money and relationships. When Venus is in Capricorn, it may have more to do with business or committed relationships. If you were thinking about making a relationship move—getting into or out of one, after January 31st would be a better time to commit—funds or hearts. While Venus is in retrograde, it’s a better time to plan, investigate and review rather then commit. If you do, you may end up trying to unwind your position when it goes direct. Jupiter in Cancer is opposite Pluto in Capricorn-Direct today. We may have seen some volatility in government positions that contributed to volatility in the stock market over the last week.

Disclaimer: Each trader and reader trades at his or her own risk, and neither the author nor publisher assume any responsibility whatsoever for anyone’s financial, stock or commodity markets decisions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

R. Ann Rousseau has been studying astrology for over 30 years. She is the President of the Seacoast Astrological Association. She is also the author of Portsmouth A Love Story. She can be reached for astrological consultations at rannrousseau@gmail.com 

Visit her blog @ www.explorebeyondtheusual.blogspot.com