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Jupiter Square Saturn

Jupiter Square Saturn

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Author: Alison Price   –   Published: July 2024

Jupiter Square Saturn

In August 2024, an intriguing astrological event will occur as our two significant social planets, Jupiter and Saturn, form a square aspect with each other.

This alignment, known as the Jupiter-Saturn square, typically involves a three-hit transit.

These three exact contacts usually unfold over a period of six to seven months, making it a prolonged and influential phase.

The Jupiter-Saturn square is a relatively rare event, occurring only once every six to seven years.

This alignment brings about a dynamic interplay between the expansive, optimistic energies of Jupiter and the disciplined, restrictive forces of Saturn.

The tension between these two planets often signals a time of challenge and growth, requiring us to balance our aspirations with reality.

We are fortunate to witness this significant astrological phenomenon towards the end of 2024, continuing into 2025.

This period will provide an opportunity to navigate the complexities of ambition and limitation, encouraging us to find harmony between our goals and the practical steps needed to achieve them.

3-Hit Transit

As these are transiting planets, the Jupiter-Saturn square will involve three exact contacts over the next several months.

This three-hit transit adds depth and complexity to the astrological event, influencing our lives in phases.

First Contact

On August 17, 2024, Jupiter in Gemini will be at 17°, and Saturn in Pisces will be at 17° retrograde.

As Jupiter moves closer, they will form the first exact square.

This initial contact will set the stage, highlighting the areas of tension and potential growth in our lives.

Second Contact

On December 24, 2024, Jupiter, now retrograde in Gemini, will be at 14°.

It will form the second square with Saturn, also at 14° Pisces.

This middle phase of the transit often brings a revisiting of themes and challenges from the first contact, offering a chance to reassess and adjust our approach.

Third Contact

On January 15, 2025, Jupiter will make the final pass of its square with Saturn.

This third contact will bring closure to the transit, culminating the lessons and experiences of the previous months.

This final phase is a time for integration, where we can apply the insights gained and move forward with a clearer understanding of the balance between expansion and limitation in our lives.

The three-hit transit of the Jupiter-Saturn square provides a structured period of growth and reflection, encouraging us to navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise with mindfulness and care.

Jupiter-square-saturn-chart

Assessing Relative Strength: Direction and Essential Dignity

To understand the dynamics of a planetary aspect, it’s important to assess the relative strength of the involved planets.

One effective method is by examining their sign placement and Essential Dignity scores.

By doing so, we can gain insights into which planet holds more influence and how their energies will interact.

Direction and Essential Dignity

Determining which planet is stronger starts with evaluating their positions in the zodiac signs and their Essential Dignity.

Essential Dignity is a system in astrology that assigns strength to planets based on their placement in specific signs.

Let’s unpack the Jupiter-Saturn square aspect to better understand their relative strengths:

First Contact

Jupiter is in detriment in Gemini, with an Essential Dignity score of -5.

This makes Jupiter less effective in expressing its natural expansive and optimistic qualities.

However, Jupiter is direct, which gives it some added strength and forward momentum.

Saturn is retrograde in Pisces, which weakens its influence and ability to impose structure and discipline.

Additionally, Saturn in Pisces is in a position where it lacks essential dignity.

Despite Jupiter being in detriment, it is slightly stronger in this phase because it is direct and disposes Saturn in Pisces, where Saturn’s retrograde motion further diminishes its power.

Second Contact

Jupiter remains in Gemini but is now retrograde.

While retrograde motion typically indicates a period of reflection and internalization, the sign placement still plays a crucial role in determining strength.

Saturn continues to be in Pisces, still retrograde and without essential dignity, making it a guest in Jupiter’s sign.

Even with Jupiter retrograde, it is likely to be more influential because Saturn remains in Pisces (a sign associated with Jupiter).

The sign position of Jupiter generally prevails over the retrograde status, maintaining its relative strength over Saturn.

Third Contact

By the third contact, Jupiter has moved into Cancer, where it is exalted, receiving an Essential Dignity score of +4.

This exaltation greatly enhances Jupiter’s power, allowing it to express its qualities of growth, optimism, and expansion effectively.

Saturn, on the other hand, moves into Aries, where it is in fall, with an Essential Dignity score of -4.

This significantly weakens Saturn’s ability to function optimally, as its disciplined and structured nature is challenged by the impulsive and fiery energy of Aries.

In this final phase, Jupiter in Cancer, exalted and direct, will be much more effective and influential than Saturn in Aries, which is in fall and weakened.

By analyzing the essential dignities, direct or retrograde status, and dispositional relationships of Jupiter and Saturn during these three contacts, we gain a nuanced understanding of their relative strengths.

This helps us predict how the energies of the Jupiter-Saturn square will manifest over time, highlighting periods of growth, challenge, and resolution.

Extend Yourself

Jupiter square Saturn

In your astrology journal please do the following:

⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠

  • Add the three exact contact dates to your calendar.
  • Find the houses where 17° Gemini and Pisces are in your chart.
  • Find the houses where 14° Gemini and Pisces are in your chart.
  • Find the houses where 1° Cancer and Aries are in your chart.

⠀⁠

Personal Forecast

Always relate forecast material to your own chart so you can understand and appreciate any subtle energies at work.

⠀⁠⠀⁠

  • Write one personal forecast paragraph for each exact hit (200 words each).
  • Say how the aspect is likely to impact you by the planet’s positions in the houses in your chart.
  • Include any direct conjunctions to natal planets or points for each square.
  • Include any direct squares, to natal planets or points for each square.

⠀⁠

Major Aspect Patterns

This square may move into position and form external major aspect patterns with planets in your natal chart.

These patterns may not be as dynamic as a natal pattern would be, but they can add valuable information if they do occur in your chart.

⠀⁠⠀⁠

  • Note if the transiting Jupiter Saturn square forms a T-square to one of your natal planets and consider this in your interpretation (100 words).
  • Note if the transiting square forms a Grand Cross to two other planets in your chart and consider this in your interpretation (100 words).
  • Note if the transiting Jupiter Saturn square forms a Thor’s Hammer to one of your natal planets (now a focal planet) and consider this in your interpretation (100 words).

Aspect Podcast Episodes

If you enjoyed this article, consider listening to some more of our aspect episodes.

We add more as they become available.

 

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Mars in Gemini

Mars in Gemini

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Author: Arwynne O’Neill  –   Published: July 2024

Mars in Gemini

Today I’m going to be talking about Mars in Gemini. If you’re listening to this in summer of 2024, Mars is about to enter Gemini on July 20 and will stay there until September 4. Mars moves pretty quickly so it takes about two years to go all the way around the zodiac. Due to retrograde periods, it can spend as little as six weeks in a sign to as many as seven months! Last time Mars was in Gemini was from August 20, 2022 through March 25, 2023, but this is an unusually long time for Mars to stay in one sign. It retrograded in October 2022 but it stayed in Gemini the entire time, so that’s how it can sometimes be in one sign for a very long time.

Podcast Episode

Listen to the full podcast episode below.

Mars in Gemini by transit

When Mars transits through the airy, mutable, masculine (or positive) sign of Gemini, it is considerably less focused than in some other signs. As we might expect with any placement in Gemini, there’s an intellectual, chatty, indecisive and scattered energy. In the northern hemisphere, this might be perfect timing because we are going through the middle of summer and who wants to make fixed decisions and doggedly pursue ambitions when warm weather, beach vacations and weekend barbecues beckon?

That being said, Gemini is not a bad placement for Mars and although we may at times feel restless and indecisive, with our attentions pulled in many different directions, we’re just as likely to also feel alive with sparkling, effervescent and positive energy. We might feel like chatting up new and old friends, dancing late into the night, hosting a game night with or sing along, enjoy summer fun like fireworks, festivals and street fairs. Even solitary activities like getting engrossed in an exciting book, binging a new TV show or podcast, could be excellent uses of Mars in Gemini energy.

As Robert Hand says in his seminal book, Planets in Transit, Mars is a planet of energy and it specifically rules the energy that an individual uses to maintain themselves in the face of pressures from their environment. Mars is also connected with work and physical effort and its transits often signify days when you become very energetic and vigorous. So, as Mars transits through different signs you want to look at where you have significant placements in those signs in your chart. If you have the sun in Gemini or Gemini rising or, of course, if you have Mars in Gemini, this transit will energize your chart in a significant way.

You also want to look at what house Mars will be transiting for you while it goes through Gemini. If you have Gemini rising, Mars will be transiting your first house and it will light up your personality your self-expression your identity, your self-esteem, and it could give you a great boost of self-confidence or indicate a time when you are presenting yourself to the world and this could be a great time for you because you’ll find it easier to express yourself in your naturally effervescent Gemini fashion with Mars lighting up your first house. It could be a great time to meet new people or make a great impression on people who already know you, champion a cause that’s close to your heart or undertake a self makeover to present yourself or your ideas in an exciting new way.

You also want to look at any aspects that Mars will be making to planets in your chart. If you have any major placements in Sagittarius, Mars will be transiting opposite those planets while it’s in Gemini, so this could bring conflicts with people, opposition to your ideas, impediments and obstacles that suddenly come up, hindering your movements and thwarting your ambitions or aims.

Any major placements you have in mutable signs will be affected by Mars transiting through Gemini as it will make hard aspects to all the mutable planets, including Virgo and Pisces which will receive squares from Mars in Gemini.

Mars in Gemini in the birth chart

As with any air sign, Mars in Gemini tends to have more mental energy and social activity associated with its martial tendencies. These people might be more the type to spar with you verbally then physically. They could be intellectually inexhaustible, pursuing higher education or gobbling up trivia like information junkies, memorizing movie quotes or song lyrics or sports statistics in order to repeat them at the ready anytime conversation turns to their topic of choice, or supplementing any pub trivia team with their sparkling, broad-based intellect.

These people love to exchange ideas and they’re motivated by communication, social and intellectual stimuli. They may be the type to go off on a political rant or some obscure tangent at the drop of a hat, or drone on about whatever personal topic fires their interest long past the point of exhausting others in the room. Used correctly, they could be excellent, engaging teachers or professors, journalists, radio hosts or podcasters, influencers, marketers or sales people.

Since Mars is one of the relationship planets, along with venus, we would look to Mars to find out what a person is like in relationships. Mars is the planet of desire and going after your object of affection, so people with Mars in Gemini will be the type who want to charm you with their wit, intellect, conversational moves and lofty ideas. Of course keeping their interest will be the real challenge. Mars in Gemini is not known for its ability to focus on one thing or one person for very long.

In Person to Person Astrology, Steven Arroyo says, “the essence of Mars in Gemini is that it asserts itself verbally, flexibly, cleverly, communicatively, through a variety of skills. The focus of one’s desire changes very quickly and often, easily diverted. Expresses a wide ranging friendliness, very good at making connections. Physical energy and sexual drive are affected by mentally stimulating conversations, images or curious new ideas, very open-minded.”

They may appear or behave especially youthful and embody a sort of ageless vitality and charm, flirting or putting on the charm for people of all ages and genders indiscriminately. This may be the guy who you dated just long enough to bring home to meet your parents one time and years later they still ask, “whatever happened to..?” He made an indelible impression and then flitted on to the next flower before you had a chance to make a real connection.

This is not to say they can’t commit. The wonderful thing about Mars in Gemini is that these people are genuinely interested in the thoughts and ideas of other people; they’re open-minded, curious and communicate well with their partners. If you make a lasting love connection with them, they could turn out to be a wonderfully stimulating and exciting partner for life, keeping you laughing well into old age, exploring new ideas and interests together long after other couples have settled into mutal silence.

Grant Lewi says, if you have Mars in Gemini, “you are rarely bored or boring, but you can wear yourself and others out by the ferocity of your attack on life. You are extraordinarily aware of the world around you, sense perceptions are acute, swift, probably accurate, and you are valuable in expressing what you take in. Energy flows naturally to the tongue; you are a better talker than listener. With any concentrated force, this position gains value, Without it, you scatter your energies.” He also cautions the Mars in Gemini individual to take care of their body as well as their mind. There is a danger of neglecting your physical well-being because you are so focused on mental pursuits.

Martin-luther-king-birth-chart

Celebrities with Mars in Gemini

Al Pacino, Chris Evans, Martin Luther King Jr., Natalie Portman, Uma Thurman, Jim Morrison, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock, Naomi Campbell, Mike Tyson and Dwayne Johnson.
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Mars Podcast Episodes

If you’ve enjoyed this topic, below are some more interesting podcast episodes about Mars.

Author Bio

Arwynne O’Neill: Research Astrologer

Arwynne O’Neill works as a research astrologer in Vancouver, with a focus on delving into historical cycles and how they relate to societal transformations as influenced by the energies of the outer planets.

Contact Arwynne

Website MsPink

Ms Pink Art shop

Instagram @mspinkdotcom

 

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Mars in Taurus

Mars in Taurus

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Author: Arwynne O’Neill   –   Published: July 2024

Mars in Taurus

Mars in Taurus in the natal chart

Today we’re taking a deep dive into Mars in Taurus. Mars takes about two years to go around the Sun so it spends approximately two months in each sign, give or take the retrograde periods, so it can be a bit variable. Mars covers about half a degree per day so even if you don’t know what time you were born you will definitely have a very good idea of the exact degree of your Mars, which is nice.

I feel pretty qualified to talk about Mars in Taurus because that is where my Mars is, exactly opposite my ascendant in Scorpio give or take a few degrees. Mars is the planet of drive, ambition, physical activity, aggression, sexual conquest and the masculine drive to go after the object of your love or lust. By masculine of course we just mean active versus passive in the traditional archetypal sense. Everyone has Venus and Mars somewhere!

Mars in Taurus in Love

In his excellent book Person to Person Astrology: Energy Factors in Love, Sex and Compatibility, Steven Arroyo says, “when Mars is found in Taurus, the aggressive urges are held under control but should never be underestimated, for they are powerfully stubborn and persistent.” This placement of Mars is rarely aggressive but people with Mars in Taurus are among the most willful, purposeful, obstinate beings in the world in terms of unrelenting pursuit of their goals and desires.

I always describe Mars in Taurus as the Ferdinand the Bull placement, from the well-known children’s story about the famous bull in Spain who was recruited to be in the bullfights but all he wanted to do was smell the roses, so he wasn’t much of a fighter.

Of course we all probably know some Taureans in our lives and they may not seem like very aggressive or angry people, but all it takes is the right instigation for their tempers to flare. It’s definitely more of a slow burn rather than fiery, since Taurus is an earth sign ruled by Venus and traditionally associated with comfort, wealth, good food, quality fabrics and the finer things in life.

Steven Arroyo goes on to say that the core qualities of Mars in Taurus are that “they assert themselves steadily, retentively, conservatively and stubbornly. Their initiative and drive are directed towards consolidation, productivity, comfort and enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. They often have a creative and/or artistic flair and their physical energy and sexual drive are influenced by a deep appreciation of the physical senses, which may lead them to complacency and laziness.”

He says both men and women with Mars and Taurus have strong, consistent sex drives and powerful sensual urges, and a strongly developed sense of touch. Although they lack the spark of Mars in a fire sign, they tend to be more cautious, not wanting to risk exposing themselves to ridicule. This is not generally a “make the first move” type of person (and I can personally attest to that LOL). But they are very sensual and very generous even if they don’t always like to communicate verbally about their own needs or the desires of their partners.

Grant Lewi, another OG astrologer from even before Stephen Arroyo’s time, said of Mars in Taurus that they are generally somewhat passive aggressive. They may not fight but they will wait you out and stubbornly refuse to give in until you consider their point of view. He says their motto is, “I don’t want to fight, let’s just do it my way.”

Mars in Taurus breaking a sweat

I can definitely see that in my personal life; not laziness, but a conservation of energy. I don’t like to be bored and I don’t like to sit around and do nothing, but my idea of nothing may be different from other people’s. That could involve mental pursuits or doing something crafty or creative with my hands. I like to sew and for a while I made jewelry. Maybe you like to fix or make things, or cook or work in the garden. These can be really satisfying pursuits for someone with Mars in Taurus.

Similarly, in my forms of exercise that I enjoy, I really prefer activities things that I can do more or less mindlessly. I’m not physically competitive and I hate counting reps or having to think too much about getting exercise for the sake of it. I much prefer activities that are fun, and if they can’t be fun, I want to be able to keep my mind off it completely by listening to audiobooks or podcasts. The last thing I want to do is go to a gym with a bunch of other people and wait my turn for the next machine or really have to think about my workout and focus on counting or doing a circuit of machines or how much weight I’m using for different exercises. I love roller skating outdoors, biking, disc golf and other things that I can either do with friends or more or less mindlessly, without having to think about the fact that I’m exercising!

Which is not to say everyone with Mars in Taurus is like that, of course, but there is something about a non-competitive, steady form of exercise that I think would be very appealing to anyone with a lot of Taurus energy. A lot of my friends who I do physical activities with have either Taurus sun or some personal planets in Taurus. There’s something about the Mars in any sign that attracts similar energies.

Mars in Taurus at work

Similarly, in terms of ambition at work, I’ve never been much of a “climb the corporate ladder” type . When I’m doing all my creative thinking and work behind the scenes, I prefer it to be kind of a solitary, steady pursuit, as opposed to being in a room brainstorming with other people or trying to come up with the next big idea. I’d rather be left alone to do what I do well and find ways to be excellent at those things, rather than strategizing some big picture or collaborating with a lot of people. Your mileage may vary! This is probably a combination of my Mars in Taurus and all my personal planets in Virgo. If you’re a Capricorn or Gemini with Mars in Taurus, it’s going to look very different.

Mars vs. Venus

With any Mars placement, in order to get the full picture you’re going to want to compare where you have your Venus. In my case I have Venus in Libra which of course is a masculine air sign compared with the feminine Earth sign of Taurus so they’re not compatible by element but they are both ruled by Venus. This makes Venus much stronger than Mars in my chart because it’s in the sign it rules, whereas Mars in Taurus is in its detriment (since Aries is one of its ruling planets).

 

Mars in Taurus celebrities

Some famous people with Mars in Taurus include Bruce Willis, Charlize Theron, Christian Bale, Helena Bonham Carter, Henry Cavill, Robert De Niro, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Kanye West, Tom Cruise, JFK, Jennifer Lawrence, Muhammed Ali

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Author Bio

Arwynne O’Neill: Research Astrologer

Arwynne O’Neill works as a research astrologer in Vancouver, with a focus on delving into historical cycles and how they relate to societal transformations as influenced by the energies of the outer planets.

Contact Arwynne

Website MsPink

Ms Pink Art shop

Instagram @mspinkdotcom

 

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

 

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Starzology Astrology Podcast 100th Episode Celebration

Starzology Astrology Podcast 100th Episode Celebration

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Author: Alison Price   –   Published: July 2013   –   Revised: January 2024

Our Journey to 100 episodes

When you start your astrological journey, you never know where it will end up.

Sometimes you don’t even realize there is a journey at all.

It just seems like another day.

But it is a day with astrology in your life.

There was the day before astrology came into your life and then there is the day when astrology got you.

The day when you thirsted to learn more.

To understand the glyphs.

To discover other signs.

To explore areas of life that astrology represented for you.

And it just gets better.

The more you learn about astrology the more you realize you know nothing.

I mean, there are so many advanced topics to explore once you have got the hang of a basic chart interpretation.

Your Path

Your path is different to mine.

You will meander down new trails.

You may stay on the highways, but long to dally down a side road or lay by.

Your way will be the right one for you.

Learning

The order in which your astrology knowledge grows is different to everyone else’s.

There is no one size fits all.

Looking back, can you see the turning points in your astrology journey?

Can you say when you finally “got” astrology?

If you even have?

How we got here

I took my first astrology lesson in 1980.

It was just the beginning of a two-year diploma course.

Since then, I’ve attended countless other astrological conferences, events, gatherings, classes, courses and workshops.

I’ve had years to hone my craft.

And by the way, I believe this is a sixth house activity – to gain the skills you need to do the work you do.

I still seek out opportunities for professional development and I urge you to do so as well.

Take that class.

Go to that workshop.

Join that group.

Read that book.

Lean in.

Grow.

Evolution of Our Podcast

The most recent thing I’ve done astrologically, apart from getting this newsletter onto a regular cadence, is the Starzology podcast.

It wasn’t planned. It just evolved.

Let me tell you how.

Vancouver

When I first arrived in Vancouver in 2012, I did not know many people.

I began a Meetup group in my local coffee shop.

The topic was, of course, astrology and I think it the first meeting was a New Moon session.

3 People came. 

Not a great turnout.

Anyway, as the meeting broke up we said our goodbyes and I began walking home.

One woman was going my way, so we chatted a bit and walked together.

When I got to the front my high rise apartment building I halted and said, “This is me” and she said, “Me too!”

What was this serendipity?  

I’ve just moved into the same building as another astrologer in a city of six hundred and fifty thousand people!

What are the odd?

Clearly 1:650 000 or thereabouts.

That is how I met Arwynne.

She lives two floors above me. She is my upstairs neighbour if you will.

We met again the next month and further developed our connection.

The point is that you never know who you will meet and who will influence your astrology.

Even with a poor attendance, of just 3 people in that first meeting, I was able to make a fantastic connection with a likeminded astrologer whom I’ve now known for over 12 years.

arwynne-and-alison-100th-episode

Our First Podcast

A few months in, Arwynne said, “We should do a podcast.”

To which I replied, “What’s a podcast?”

Arwynne explained that in a podcast we record our astrology conversation and then put it out there.

Out where I wasn’t sure.

Her partner had a microphone and so we set a time to meet at her place for our first recording.

Axis Astrology

Back then we decided to call it Axis Astrology referring to the Ascendant and MC axes in every chart. Over the next two years we recorded episodes every week.

We had many interesting astrology guests like Nina Gryphon and Andrew Morton from the UK who flew in and recorded with us.

The Mountain Astrologer picked our show up and recommended our podcast to their readership. You can still listen to those early episodes here.

Over time Axis Astrology ran its course and we stopped recording. This was a before Spotify and Apple podcasts. Things were different then.

But we remained friends and would have social dinners with our partners together now and then.

I also invited Arwynne to speak at the Vancouver astrology group when I was running the show.

Seasonal Art Group

In 2022 I started a seasonal art group. You can see more about this here.

I knew Arwynne was an artist as she had designed astrology tarot cards and drew Badass Goddess artworks at a local studio in town.

I invited her and a couple of other art ladies and we got together for an art evening session. If you are interested, I do watercolour and acrylics.

We did the art group a few times.

In my spare time, I started to listen to podcasts on Apple podcast once I’d downloaded the app and after Norma began hers.

Then I started to listen to people like Andrew Huberman and lots of others. I became a podcast listener.

In April 2023 I had the idea to launch my own podcast.

The very next day I had my Buzzsprout account opened, threw some money at it and voila my first episode was recorded and live.

That week I messaged Arwynne, who I had not seen for a couple of months, and simply said, “How about it?”

She agreed and we got the second episode in the bag by the following week.

I started out publishing episodes fortnightly as I honestly did not know what I was doing.

Within weeks is was obvious that we had enough content to go weekly.

Gulp!

Could I keep it up?

Was the commitment too much?

Would anyone listen?

Wednesday

We pushed on doing weekly shows for around four months and then added the Wednesday midweek minisodes, little episodes, as well.

We wanted to keep the Sundays for solid astrology and meaningful conversations.

We added the midweek ones with a lighter tone and more variety.

The vision was that we could chat about things other than mainstream topics.

There was a place on the Wednesday edition for a little more individual personality and both Arwynne and I have lots of that.

We’ve since gone on to interview people independently, but we always come back to the main editions.

In a way, it has given us a flexibility to allow our creative output to flourish.

There has been talk of slotting in an odd Friday quickie as well, but we’ll have to see about that.

Katia-arwynne-and-alison

Who Knew?

The point is that 24 months ago I did not know I would be an astrology podcaster.

It has been a way for myself, and Arwynne, to express our love of astrology and share it with you.

For myself, I believe the Uranus ingress into my 11th house was the spark. And as Jupiter entered as well it could grow and the broadcast improved.

To grow (Jupiter) my tribe (11th house) through astrology (Uranus).

What About You?

What will you be doing astrologically in 2 years time? That’s one Mars return and a great time period to get something started, launched and nurtured.

What will you do

Don’t answer now.

I have some specific questions for you in the “Extend Yourself” section below.

Thanks to You

Our podcast would not be where it is today without you.

I want to thank you for supporting our podcast and the astrology conversations we love to provide you.

As this week we publish our 100th episode, our centennial episode if you will, we are grateful.

Grateful that you came.

Grateful to you for listening and sharing in our astrology journey.

The Next 100 Episodes

I’d like to share with you what it takes to wrestle each episode to the mat.

Podcast Episodes

The Plan

We painstakingly plan the content.

We look for a variety and balance of astro topics and levels of complexity.

We need more basic than advanced stuff as that is our audience.

Sunday Content

Our Sunday episode is usually the main one for the week.

It includes upcoming transits and or other solid astrology information about planets, signs, houses and aspects.

Wednesday Content

Our Wednesday episodes tend to be slightly more beginner topics presented by Arwynne and her guests.

I pop in mid-week when we’re doing an high level chart reading for one of our listeners.

These episodes are examples of where to start with readings.

Additionally, I may present some solo topics and astrology ideas that I want to float and explore.

The midweek show can be a mix.

Studio Recording

We schedule the recording sessions for every other Monday evening.

I spend at least one hour setting up the podcast studio.

This generally means tiding up, sorting some lighting and sound organization.

I rearrange the furniture because the podcast studio, although it sounds fancy, is actually set up at my dining table.

There are microphones, candles, an iPad with the charts for the night on Astro Gold, a laptop computer and pens and notepad at the ready.

I also a prepare Audacity, which is our audio recording platform, for the two particular episodes which we will discuss that night.

Often I draw the chart in question on my freestanding whiteboard so we can discuss it on the go.

I’ll also list things that we must mention that evening. It’s like a checklist.

Arwynne arrives at my place around 6pm.

She has her computer and copious reference notes (did I say she is a research astrologer?) and usually a book or two.

We do a sound check and then get straight into the two recordings.

starzology-podcast-studio

Voice

When recording, its important to save your voice and not talk much earlier in the day so you don’t sound raspy at the end of the day.

I do this by trying not to talk much beforehand. This is not always easy to achieve, but now I avoid teaching classes, coaching, having general Zoom chats and Astro consulting on “podcast day”.

We have a few snacks and a light drink.

Each session usually takes three hours to record two 30-minute episodes.

There are stops and starts and we may chop and change things up on the fly.

After the recording is finished we will take some time to brainstorm upcoming topics.   

Now we’ll also discuss anything else business wise about how we’re doing, what we’re doing, where we’re going and check our recent statistics.

Scheduling

We schedule in special time sensitive episodes like an eclipse piece for example.

Our recording schedule is entered into our joint calendar so we can both see it and add and move things around.

We schedule for about three months ahead.

Now and then some topics will jump the queue.

These queue-jumpers typically come from listeners like you sending in hot questions.

The evening concludes.

3 hours.

Edit

I start the editing of the audio files the next day.

It usually takes about one hour to edit each episode. This is high focus work.

Upload

The finished episode is uploaded to our podcast host Buzzsprout. Fingers crossed here.

Optimize

Now I add the title, authors, episode number, hashtags, description, referred links and link to the topic blog post.

I will pull that particular episodes audio link and add it to the blog post.

Sometimes the blog post goes live before the podcast episode is available on Apple or Spotify.

But once the link is on the blogpost anyone like you, ——- can listen as soon as it’s ready.

This is before the Sunday or Wednesday official launch of the podcast.

To be clear, some episodes are available early if you go to Starzology and visit the blog post.

The latest posts are in the sidebar.

Older posts that have been around for a while, like Mercury retrograde for example, but which do not yet have a podcast episode associated with them, will get the link straight to them.

Not every episode can be heard early.

Uploading to Buzzsprout and the associated tinkering and fiddling while Rome burns takes me about 30 minutes.

Artwork

Next, I create the four episode artworks:

The podcast episode icon that’s the square (1:1) with diagonal that details the episode.

The Pinterest pin for the blog post. This is the one that goes on Pinterest (2:3).

The Instagram post image for the episode (1:1) which is often different to the episode icon. And note at this stage I’m only posting to my Starzology Instagram grid on a Sunday. I plan to post the Wednesday episode to Instagram soon. It is just so much work and I haven’t got round to it yet.

The blog post image. This is typically something arty in blue and yellow our brand colors (3:2) and with more detail related to the specific topic. This artwork doubles as the image in this newsletter.

Social Content

Next I write the copy (words) that will go on the social posts.

So that is:

  • One paragraph for Instagram with hashtags.
  • One paragraph for Pinterest including hashtags.

These two then get uploaded and scheduled to go live on the same day as the podcast episode is officially released.

This all takes about half and hour.

So in all, getting each podcast episode out takes about 3.5 hours.

What am I telling you this?

Because it’s a labor of love.

We love what we do.

And from your response you do too.

Your Astro Journey

You don’t know where your astrology will take you.

And hey, maybe you can’t see the path just yet. That’s ok.

Giving it some thought could help.

Extend Yourself

If you bring your attention to bear on your astrology it can help focus your time and energy.

  • What are your astrology dreams?
  • Is your journey just starting out?
  • Can you cast a chart?
  • Can you read a natal chart?
  • Can you forecast with transits? Secondary progressions?
  • Which area of astrology do you need to focus on right now?
  • What will you achieve?

Extend Yourself Further

Anyone can benefit from some forecasting. And as good astrologers, let’s lean into the planet’s cycles for some help.

  • What is your next month (Moon) goal for astrology?
  • What is your next quarter (seasonal/cardinal) goal for astrology?
  • What is your next six-month (solstice) goal for astrology?
  • What is your 12-month (Sun) goal for astrology?
  • What is your 2-year (Mars) goal for astrology?

Too many questions?

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Birth Data Required for a Birth Chart

Birth Data Required for a Birth Chart

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Author: Alison Price   –   Published: June 2024

Let’s Talk About Birth Data

In astrology the actual chart is the core of an interpretation.

For every reading you absolutely require a chart.

When you cast a birth chart for someone you do need a few bits of information.

And specifically, you require three important facts to cast any chart.

3 Components

The three core pieces of information you need are:

  • The birth date.
  • The birthplace.
  • The birth time.

Of course you could always use other input as well such as, why they came to you in the first place and what the focus of the consultation should be, but those details are not essential to cast the actual chart.

Quick Sidebars

I’ve highlighted two asides here for you to ponder which might throw some light on this topic.

I don’t want to go into detail on either point in this newsletter.

Please let me know if you’d be interested in a deeper look later.

Sidebar 1: Birth Data Ratings

Birth data is categorized on the Rodden Rating system as follows.

AA = Accurate accurate: From birth certificate or record – written down and in hand.

A = Accurate: From memory, family legend or hearsay – spoken or word of mouth.

B = Biographical: From autobiography or biography – second hand.

C = Caution: From conflicting sources.

DD = Dirty Data: Don’t use.

X = No time: Date only with no birthtime.

XX  = Very insecure.

I prefer to only cast charts with an “AA” or “A” rating.

Of course you can cast charts with weaker data, but each chart you prepare takes up your time and your energy.

It is a lot of work and you still may not be correct.

Sidebar 2: Birth Time as Given

In astrological circles, there is a school of thought which believes that you can reliably cast charts using “birth time as given”.

Birth time as given is criteria used in manual chart calculations mainly, but can be with a computer.

It really means that any information which the client provides you, the astrologer, will work for them.

The individual will resonate with the resulting chart, even if it is not exact.

The fact that they gave you some particular birth data is embedded in their psyche and becomes a part of who they are.

It can be related to a Freudian slip.

I’ll not debate this idea now.

Let’s have a closer look at the 3 essential facts required for a birth chart calculation.

1. Birth Date

The birth date is usually available.

Just about everyone knows their birth date.

But just about does not mean all…

Date of Birth

In my many years as an astrologer, I’ve only come across three people who were not sure of their birth date.

This was back in Africa where things were not written down.

Un-noted birth dates were especially the case for mothers who had home deliveries in remote villages.

Year of Birth

But it’s not just their birth dates that people don’t know.

Amazingly there was one woman who did not know her year of birth.

It seems her mother could not recall.

However, she did know the day and month.

But in the main you will get their full birth data including day, month and year. Brilliant!

Historical People

Another situation occurs when you work with historical charts.

It is often impossible to get a good birth date for very old charts.

Anyone from history or people born 500 plus years ago, when records were few and far between, frequently do not have a time and sometimes do not have a date either.

But for most people alive today, and I’m assuming these are the charts you are working on, will provide you with the birth date.

birth-chart-rectification

2. Birth Place

Typically, the birth place is readily available.

People do tend to know where they were born.

As another aside to this, let me tell you that the birth certificate is not always correct either.

I’ve had a client whose official birth certificate, in hand, was written with a city in England, but he was actually born in Kenya.

His parents only registered his birth at six weeks old when they returned to their home country.

Tricky, tricky.

In Flight

Even people born on airplanes know whereabouts they were on the flight at the time.

This doesn’t happen much anymore as the airlines are stricter about pregnant women boarding in the first place, but you do still get this situation for people past their second Saturn return.

Interestingly, these folk seem to be able to claim citizenship from both the departure and the arrival country.

City Center

I have experienced a situation where someone born in a big city, like say Mexico City or Tokyo, could gently tweak the birthplace.

Born in a huge city, and with a firm birth time, their calculated Ascendant was within a whisker of a sign cusp.

This meant their Ascendant sign could be one of two choices.

The person, although their birth time and date were good, felt the returned Ascendant was off.

In this instance, I zoomed into the specific birth hospital location.

By digging into their information and using a map, I found the actual nursing home building where they were born.

I extracted the longitude and latitude and then manually input these coordinates into my astrological software to firm up the Ascendant.

Usually, all big cities have their geo-coordinates set at the town hall or the post office.

Someone born in a hospital in a big city could be up to 50km away from the actual city coordinates which pop up in astrology software.

Looking back now, I wonder “Who has time for this sort of deep dive?” but yes, I did.

I did it all back then.

3 Birth Time

The third piece of birth data required is the birth time.

Noon Chart

As the first step, if my client has no birth time, I will cast the noon chart.

A noon chart is created with the birth time set at 12 noon.

This is right in the middle of the day.

The idea is that with a noon chart you can only be 12 hours out.

And let’s face it 12 hours is still huge, but it is better than being 24 hours out.

With the noon chart you have to ignore the angles and house cusps.

Although you can be pretty confident on lots of the planets in their signs and many of the aspects will hold up.

Noon Chart Exceptions

Of course, there are a couple of exceptions to being sure of a planet’s sign with a noon chart.

Exception 1: Sign Cusp Planets

Any planet, especially the Sun, Mercury, Venus or Mars, which is close to a sign cusp at 0 degrees or 29 degrees of any sign, could potentially change signs that day.

Planets do not conveniently change signs at midnight.

The sign ingress may occur either before noon or after noon.

Because in a noon chart we don’t have a firm birth time, you can’t say for sure which sign any planet that is placed on a sign cusp was in.

And note that this planet-on-sign-cusp can be any of the planets which might change signs, not just the personal planets.

Either way, the outer ones move slower, but if they are on a sign cusp you still have to check.

Consideration needs to be given to any sign cusp planet. Look out for retrograde motion as well.

You may need to keep an open mind about which of the potential two signs a cusp planet could tenant until you fully understand the chart.

Exception 2: The Moon

The second exception is the Moon.

The Moon trots along at give or take 13 degrees each day.

Therefore, in one 24-hour period the Moon will travel about 13 degrees through the zodiac.

So, for a 12-hour period, and here I mean our noon chart, it can potentially.

move around 6.5 degrees from the noon position.

That is, the Moon can travel up to 6.5 degrees before noon and 6.5 degrees after noon.

This means that if the Moon in the noon chart is 6.5 degrees from either sign boundary, the before sign and the after sign, it will be in that sign.

And for more certainty, if the Moon at noon is placed between 6.5 to 23.5 of a sign, it will be in that sign.

Double Check

Note, if the Moon is bang on 6.5 from a sign boundary, you must go back and check the lunar daily motion on that particular day. If it is greater than 13 degrees you will have to rethink the sign.

In a noon chart for example:

  • If the Moon is at 6 degrees Virgo it could be in the previous sign of Leo.
  • If the Moon is at 10 degrees Sagittarius it will definitely be in the sign of the Archer.
  • If the Moon is at 26 degrees Pisces it could be in the next sign, Aries.

You can tinker with an unknown birth time for days.

A Better Solution

But what if there was an easier way to find the birth time if you don’t know it?

Fortunately for us there is.

It’s called rectification.

Rectification

Rectification is a highly skilled astrological technique which explores the options for a better birth time and therefore firms up the Ascendant and the house cusps.

Not every astrologer practices rectification.

Rectification is usually used in two specific instances:

When there is no birth time, like what I’m talking about here with the noon chart, and,

If there is a birth time, but the chart doesn’t seem to fit comfortably with the person.

As maths is not my strong suit and due to the heavy load of numbers, maths and statistics required to work out someone’s rectification, it’s not something I do.

I will admit I have done rectification back in the day, but now I don’t do rectification nor do I enjoy doing it.

I feel it’s better left to the specialist astrologers who relish maths and love practicing rectification to help others.

Rectification Specialist

This week I am thrilled to share with you the conversation I had recently with professional astrologer, and rectification specialist, Norma Lachance.

Norma is a highly skilled professional astrologer with an advanced certificate (soon to be a diploma) from the Faculty of Astrological Studies, London, England.

And if you don’t know, the Faculty diploma is the world class honour you can receive in astrology today.

I’ve known Norma for about seven years.

She is the only rectification specialist to whom I confidently refer my own clients when they want, or need, their birth chart rectified.

norma-lachance-headshot

Recommendation

I love Norma’s style of astrology and the high energy and sparkle which she brings to her work.

That is why I’m supremely confident in referring her to you.

And let’s be quite clear here.

I want you to know that I’ll only recommend talented people to you, whom I believe will bring value and goodness into your life.

It’s important that you can trust the good-hearted people in the astrology community whom I send your way and those I feel are worthy of your time.

Listen to our rectification podcast episode and if you think it is something that will be right for you, reach out to Norma astrologydva@gmail.com and let her know that you discovered her from me.

Extend Yourself

You can extend yourself and lean into rectification in a couple of ways.

See if you can find someone in your family, friend circle or general client base who has an Ascendant within one degree of a sign cusp.

So, their Ascendant will either be at 0 and some minutes or at 29 degrees and some minutes of any sign.

Then in your astrology journal please do the following:

  • Look at the current Ascendant degrees and minutes and step the chart forward or backward to see how many minutes in time it would take to change the rising sign. Write this time down. It probably will be under ten minutes.
  • Note exactly how many minutes (of arc this time) is equal to the time in minutes. This will probably be less than 59’. You could also ask, “How far is the Ascendant from the cusp?” Which will return the same answer.
  • Consider whether the new rising sign would be a better fit for the person and their personality. Avoid making a snap decision here. Give this some thought. As I like to say, let it percolate.
  • Decide if the new chart ruler, the planet that rules the new Ascendent, better reflects the type of person the chart is for. This is sometimes clearer with some pairs of planets whose energy is quite different.

Example 1: Sun and Moon cusp – Cancer/Leo.

Example 2: Venus and Mars cusps – Aries/Taurus and Libra/Scorpio.

Example 3: Jupiter and Saturn cusps – Sagittarius/Capricorn and Aquarius/Pisces.

Extend Yourself Further

Think about whether you are ready, at your stage of astrology knowledge, to learn chart rectification.

Remember, rectification is not for everyone.

If you think rectification is something that interests you here are 3 ways to start exploring it now:

  • Read this book ​The Complete Book of Chart Rectification ​by Carol Tebbs from Llewellyn Publications.
  • Get your chart professionally rectified by Norma.
  • Invest in a serious rectification course with Norma. Learn how to rectify charts for your family, friends and clients.

I’d love to hear how you get on. Let me know your answers by completing this quick one minute survey.

I’ll report back on the results in a later email.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Sun Square Neptune

Sun Square Neptune

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Author: Arwynne O’Neill  –   Published: June 2024

Sun square Neptune

Aspect Basics Series

Today we’re going to be talking about the Sun square Neptune. This is part of our basic aspect series.
 
We are going to be seeing this transit exact on June 20, 2024 with the Sun at 29 Gemini Square Neptune at 29 Pisces but we’re going to focus on what it looks like in someone’s natal chart and give some celebrity examples and it’s relevant regardless of when you’re listening because this aspect occurs twice every year. For the last few years, it has occurred in mid-June and mid-December.

Sun square Neptune in the natal chart

In her book Aspects and Personality, Karen Haymaker Zondag says, “The dream and fantasy world so typical of Neptune comes to the fore with this aspect. Inferiority feelings are not uncommon. The sources for this inferiority include Neptune’s habit of fudging boundary lines, which make it hard for us to see where our ego begins and ends or to discover who we are and what we want. The second is a nagging feeling that there’s something more, a feeling that another world lies beyond the world of perception and that our individual limitations are in sharp contrast to it.”
 

Spiritual Seeker

This person may be a spiritual seeker, with little interest in the real world, taking refuge in ideas and feelings or continually searching until they find an ideal that meets their emotional needs. There can be a lack of responsibility or grounding, but also a great deal of creativity, especially in music, poetry and other forms of wordplay, ideas, mysticism and metaphysics. These people can be incredibly eloquent and convincing, so they should be very clear within their own minds about their intentions, as they could potentially use their gifts to deceive and lead other people astray.

 

Sensitive

This is a very sensitive aspect, and this person often has to overcome insecurity and disappointments to build their self-esteem and confidence in order to feel strong. They can easily become confused, paranoid or dependent on drugs or alcohol if these dynamics are not dealt with in more productive ways. They should be cautious about chemicals, alcohol, drugs and medical treatments, and they may be susceptible to illnesses that defy explanation or diagnosis.

They may also fall victim to stronger personalities, people who try to take advantage of them or dominate them, like gurus or con artists. Although idealistic, life experiences can make it hard for these people to stand up for themselves, possibly because of their insecurity but also because they idealize other people and may find it hard to believe that others are not trustworthy or truly mean them ill.

They can be very altruistic and may be attracted to politics, volunteerism or activism, if they don’t become disillusioned. Spirituality can be used for good or ill; the darker realms of religious cults and political demagogues should to be avoided.

 

Honesty

People with this aspect are urged to be as honest and direct as possible because Neptune can blur your intentions whether you mean to be dishonest or not. This is amazing for creativity, music, writing, etc., but can be challenging when it comes to dealing honestly with others, promoting yourself or pursuing your own goals. There may be a feeling of insecurity, guilt or the desire to apologize; over idealizing others and being gullible can lead to disappointment.

 

Sun square Neptune by transit

Your energy level can be lowered to the point where your immune system suffers or you may feel discouraged and beaten down by circumstances. This is not a great confidence boosting transit. You may feel inadequate and consumed by the futility of pursuing your goals.
 
Put off anything that requires clear thinking until this transit passes. It can stimulate idealism which can be great if you’re trying to produce something creative or beautiful but don’t be discouraged if what you create doesn’t match your ideal vision.
barack-obama-birth-chart-sun-square-neptune

Celebrities with this aspect

Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Paul McCartney, Carl Jung, Che Guevara, Pink, River Phoenix, Kevin Costner, Matthew Perry, James Joyce and Kurt Vonnegut.

 

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Author Bio

Arwynne O’Neill: Research Astrologer

Arwynne O’Neill works as a research astrologer in Vancouver, with a focus on delving into historical cycles and how they relate to societal transformations as influenced by the energies of the outer planets.

Contact Arwynne

Website MsPink

Ms Pink Art shop

Instagram @mspinkdotcom

 

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