May Horoscopes 2019

Aries- Your focus this  month is on your personal values and those things which you value. You identify with the material things you possess and see them as a symbol of your status or position in life. Your possessions, the amount of money you have in the bank, the state of your home, the make and model of your car... do they really define you or are you defined by those intangible values called loyalty, trust, and honesty to name a few? 

Taurus- You are likely to experience a sense of renewal and revitalization this month. However, this will be preceding by an ongoing period of positive self-centeredness (what Dr. Martello called psysho-selfism) that others may misconstrue as unapologetic selfishness. For this reason you may find it difficult to work with others too closely this month. Now is the time for you to focus on your personal needs and goals and devise a spiritual plan for achieving them. 

Gemini- This month will likely be marked by a period of deep introspection. You will find yourself exploring the deeper, more hidden parts of your own psyche in an attempt to bring illumination and a greater understanding of who you are.  You may confront aspects of yourself that no longer serve you and challenge yourself to move past them. This will be a time of completion and endings in which you shed your ego and destroy negative patterns of thought and behavior so that you can regenerate. 

Cancer- Friendships and group related activities come to bear this month.  Your role in the groups you belong to come under your scrutiny now as well as their purpose and function in your life.  You find yourself questioning what you are getting out of these associations or if you are contributing your own fair share.  The best way to figure this out is by active participation in common activities. It is important for you now to be a part of the group in which your individuality is also well established. 

Leo-  You're focused on your career and reputation this month and you want both to shine. This is a good time for examining what drives you in terms of the outer-world, what your goals and aspirations in life are as well as how close or even how far you are from achieving them. You could be charged with more authority this month and with added responsibility on your shoulders comes added scrutiny and observation by your superiors. It is important for your own advancement that you do well.  

Virgo- You're waxing philosophical this month and want to broaden your horizons in many ways. This will entail you stepping out of your comfort zone to experience people, places and things with which you are not familiar. Breaking out of your usual routine brings unique and beneficial opportunities. You absorb everything now and you find yourself with a powerful thirst for knowledge as well as a strong desire for meaningful experiences. The study of new subjects as well as travel is favored at this time.  

Libra- You're more reflective this month and are focused on transforming some aspect of your life in a significant and meaningful way.  You may find yourself to be more moody and emotional as you try to figure out both what you want to change and how you want to change it.  Your emotional pendulum can swing towards the extremes and you tend to keep things to yourself. You will also find that you excel at any type of research or information gathering. 

Scorpio- You are all about relationships this month and you are poised to learn a great deal about yourself and the world that you live in through your relationships to the other people in your life.  Your focus is on the other in your life this month and you are concerned with how you work with your partners of all kinds (business or personal). You generally benefit from the relationships in your life and should find yourself becoming closer to others this month. 

Sagittarius- You identify more with the work that you do this month. You're not interested in fun or fantasy and prefer to throw yourself into your work. You are more organized at this time and can deal with the small details of any matter.  For this reason you can focus on completing several small projects rather than one big one.  Successfully accomplishing needed tasks makes you feel good about yourself and the life that you have.  

Capricorn- You experience a greater sense of freedom and happiness than you have in a long time this month.  You aren't overly concerned with work, responsibilities, or other obligations right now.  You just want to have fun and you want you want to have it now. You are warmer, more friendly, and are enthusiastic about life and people now.  The world is one big stage for you this month and you have the starring role in the picture of the year. Enjoy your time in the sun! 

Aquarius- You are more of a homebody this month and issue of home and family occupu your attention and interest.  You're not interested in going out or doing things away from home but rather prefer quiet evenings at home doing things you enjoy or spending time with your family and other loved one.  This is also a good time to re-arrange, re-model, or renovate your home so that your home and surroundings are more of a sanctuary for you. 

Pisces-  You're more mentally active and alert now.  Your mind overflows with thoughts and ideas, you are eager to talk about and others are eager to listen to what you have to say.  For this reason, you find yourself being more social for the next four weeks or so and you are able to network with others and make those connections that are so important for having success in life. This is a good period for collecting and analyzing data and information to be used or implemented later. 

Carolina Dean 

Saturn Retrograde

Saturn stations retrograde in 20 degrees Capricorn on Monday April 29th, 2019 at 5:54 PM (Pacific). What this means is that, from our perspective on Earth, Saturn will appear to slow down, stop, and move backward across the sky. This will continue until such time that it slows down again, stops, and then slowly moves forward again.  

So named after Saturn in Roman Mythology (and Cronus in Greek Mythology), Saturn is the father of Zeus and husband of Rhea.  He was a god of agriculture, plenty, and renewal.  He has become associated with time, and the passage of time, and can be seen in the figure of Father Time, with Mother Earth (his wife). 

Perhaps the most famous mythological story associated with Saturn concerns him eating his children at birth whom he feared would overthrow him and seize power for themselves. In effort to save her latest child, Rhea secretly gave birth to Zeus and cleverly gave Saturn a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes in his place. Saturn ate the stone thinking it was his son. Later, Zeus would trick Saturn into ingesting an emetic forcing him to vomit out Zeus' brothers and sisters who were apparently unharmed. Zeus then overthrew his father, Saturn, and became the King of the Gods. 

In the Tarot, Saturn can be seen in the Temperance card, which is acard of balance and harmony.  This is often a balance born out of struggle. It is about learning and growing from our mistakes, finding the good in the bad, and the blessing in the bane. This is often a matter of experimentation and experience. In the Temperance card we can see an angel (Saturn) mixing two cups between which flows the water. In some respects this looks similar to an hourglass with the sands of time flowing through it. Within the flow of time we grow, change, and experience the ups and down of life through which we (hopefully) grow and mature. The only way out, is through.... 

In modern astrology, Saturn is a planet associated with discipline and responsibility. Transits of Saturn can feel like we have been chewed up and spit out but it is often for our own good.  In this respect I see Saturn as a teacher very much like the character of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter books. Severus is a gruff, rude, rigid, and unyielding disciplinarian. He is countered by Albus Dumbledore (a kind of Jupiter figure) who is open-minded, benevolent, permissive, and generous.  However, the thing that they both have in common is that they both care about Harry Potter, in their own way and for their own reasons, and they both want to protect him and see him succeed.   

When Saturn stations retrograde, we begin to (re)think about our responsibilities,  (re)assess our limitations and (re)evaluate our goals.  Saturn retrograde calls on you to take a look at where there is imbalance in your life and how to bring back that balance.  Is your love life suffering because you devote so much time to work? Is your work unsatisfying because you play too much? To create and maintain harmony will take some give and take or practice and experimentation to figure out what works best for you. The area of life that Capricorn falls in your Natal chart is the area of life where the most action will take place. 

For example, Capricorn is in the third house in my natal chart. Saturn is transiting the house which deals with how I think and process information as well as how I connect with others. For me, Saturn Retrograde brings the opportunity to re-assess how I process and exchange information with others. This can be in terms of conversations with others as well as through electronics means such as emails, and posting information to social media.  The catalyst for change can be difficult or strained communications with others. If I learn my lessons well, I will be able to put to good use what I have learned -- through practice and experimentation. 

The Big Picture 

It is interesting to note that Saturn Retrograde makes a conjunction to the South Node, an Opposition to the North Node and applies a conjunction to Retrograde Pluto.  I see this playing out as people being called to be held accountable for their past thoughts, words, and deeds. They will be transformed - for better or worse by their response and reaction.  This will play out in our individual lives (look to the houses they occupy) and in the world at large. 

With many candidates making their bid for the American presidency, I see this playing out with Joe Biden and his past involvement with the Anita Hill Trial as well as accusation of improper touching / sexual harassment of several women; with Pete Buttigieg's  police racism scandal and his stance on voting rights for felons, etc... We will see this pattern play out with many famous and political figures over the summer and into the fall.  

Saturn will station direct on September 18th, 2019. 

Carolina Dean 

Pluto Retrograde 2019

Pluto stations retrograde in Capricorn at 11:48 am (Pacific) on 4/24/19. What this means is that, from our perspective on earth, Pluto appears to move backwards across the sky.  Pluto retrograde happens about once a year and last anywhere from four to five months at a time. 

So named after the God of the Underworld in mythology, Pluto is associated with transformation and renewal. Such change is not always pleasant or even peaceful.  Transits of Pluto are often marked by periods of destruction followed by some form of renewal and regeneration. In this respect, I see Pluto as being very similar to The Tower card in the Tarot. The Tower is all about tearing down something old so that something newer, stronger, and better can take it's place. Examples of this kind of action in nature include intentional forest fires which cause the trees to grow back stronger, or cutting dead leaves off a plant so that it can thrive.  Another example of transformation through violence can be seen in the Stonewall Riots that sparked the Gay Liberation Movement, or the American Revolution that gave birth to the United States. 

When Pluto is moving forward, it can bring secrets to light and hidden truths are revealed. Often such truths are shocking or hard to accept and we are left to deal with the aftermath of the destruction that they bring. We are left to pick up the pieces and make sense of it all. However, when these things happen they are often for the greater good and are designed to help us grow, to thrive, to become stronger and better than we were before. So, perhaps it is a necessary evil. 

When Pluto stations retrograde, our attention turns inward and we are moved to reflect on our darker, more secretive natures. We are challenged to rid ourselves of that which does not serve us, to release that which holds us back, to let go of our secret shame.  If we ignore our shadow selves, we may be confronted by them in the form of qualities we see in others that we do not like. Internal conflict with the self can lead to external disputes with others. Our thoughts may turn to our sense of personal power. We may ask ourselves what makes me feel powerful? What makes me feel powerless? We may take steps to obtain more power over ourselves and in our lives in general. 

Where Capricorn falls in your birth chart is the area of life that is most affected. For example, Capricorn represents the 3rd house in my birth chart (I use the whole house system). The third house naturally aligns with Gemini in the natural chart and is ruled by Mercury. The third house is all about the capacity of our minds, how we exchange and process information, our self-expression, and short journeys. 

Now Pluto retrograde has not occurred as of yet but its effects can be felt in the period just before the retrograde as the Planets slows down, comes to a stop, and then begins moving backwards. This period is called the pre-shadow. During the pre-shadow we feel the first beginnings of the effect of the retrograde. Recently, I got into a bit of trouble at my day job over an email I sent to a client that was misconstrued as "unprofessional" which was not my intention.  While the incident was smoothed over, I now see that Pluto Retrograde in my 3rd house is giving me the opportunity to meditate on my communication skills.  So I will definitely be more careful how I frame my words (both spoken and written) over the next 5 months. 

Where does Capricorn fall in your natal chart and how will Pluto retrograde likely to affect you?

Carolina Dean 

Understanding & Interpreting Aspects

What Are Aspects?

aspect lines 

An aspect is a term that refers to the relationships between planets or how two planets (or points) interact with one another. They are formed between points and planets in a chart according to the distance between them. While there are many types of aspects, this article will focus on only five of them. They are conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions. 

Identifying Aspects 

Aspects are divided into two types. They are hard, or difficult aspects, and soft, or easy aspects. Hard aspects are represented on most charts with red lines while easy ones are represented by blue lines. In addition to the red and blue lines, you will often see a green dotted line. These lines represent minor aspects such as quincunx and semisextiles.  (see image at top left). 

The red and blue aspect lines help you to quickly recognize aspects between planets. Depending on the program you are using to generate your charts, there is also usually an aspect grid detailing the aspects between planets in a chart. If you are unsure if two planets form an aspect, you can double check the aspect grid (see image below under Orbs) 

Trines and Sextiles are soft, while conjunctions, oppositions, and squares are hard.  Soft aspects typically occur quickly and easily with little effort. Hard aspects bring challenges that help push us past our own personal boundaries and give us the impetus to achieve our goals. 

Understanding  Aspects 

• Conjunctions- A conjunction occurs when two planets are 0 degrees apart (i.e. in the same degree). For this reason, two planets that are in conjunction will be in the same sign and elements. The keyword for conjunction is blends, that is, the energies of the planets are fused together and it may be difficult to tell them apart.
  
• Sextiles- A sextile occurs when two planets are 60 degrees, or 2 signs apart. Planets that are sextile are usually in supportive elements (fire with air; earth with water). The keyword for sextiles are coaxes, and this type of aspect is thought to bring opportunities. 
  
• Squares- A square occurs when two planets are 90 degrees, or 3 signs apart. Planets that are square are usually in opposite elements (fire and water; earth and air). They keyword for squares is strains. When two planets are square each other, tensions form. 
  
• Trines- A trine occurs when two planets are 120 degrees, or 4 signs apart. Planets that are trine one another are usually in the same elements. The keyword for trines is supports. 
  
• Oppositions- An opposition occurs when two planets are 180 degrees or 6 signs apart. Planets that are in opposition to on another are usually in support elements (fire with air; earth witih water).  They keyword for oppositions is divides. When two planets are in opposition their energies are divided. You may feel that someone is doing something to you or something is happening to you and you can't do anything about it. 

A Note About Orbs 

Aspect Grid 

Aspects can be applying (approaching exact), exact, or separating (moving away from exact). These are often noted on Aspect Grids as A, E, and S.  An aspect builds strength when it is applying, strongest at exact, and weakens as they separate.  For example, if you look at the aspect grid above, you'll see that Mercury is Conjunct Pluto (applying), meaning it is getting stronger. 

The Orb of an aspect is a term that refers to the degree of exactness. For example, two planets can be 123 degrees apart and still be considered trine. If these planets are getting closer the aspect is applying; if they are moving apart, it is separating.  

Astrologers disagree on what they consider to be the orb of any given aspect. As you study and practice you will  figure out what works best for you. Personally, I use an orb of 8 degrees in Natal Charts and 2 degrees in Transit Charts. 

Interpreting Aspects: A Step-By-Step Guide 

Your first consideration when it comes to interpreting an aspect is to determine the meaning of the aspect being formed itself.  For example, squares often introduce tension to a situation and represent obstacles to be overcome or opportunities for growth. 

The next thing you'll want to contemplate is the meaning of the two planets which are forming the aspect. This might be easier if you make a list of the keywords of the planets concerned and place them side by side. For example. let's look at Mars Square Jupiter 

                                                      Mars                           Jupiter 

                                                      Action                         Expansion

                                                      Aggression                  Optimism  

                                                      Passion                        Growth 

                                                      Energy                        Success 

                                                      Drive                           Generous

                                                      Will Power                  Luck  

Looking over these keywords you might surmise that the combined meaning of these planets could mean bold and aggressive speculation or passionately optimistic. This aspect could point to someone taking a huge risk desite overwhelming odds against him or her. 

Next you will want to look at the signs that each planet occupies and this will color how the energy of the planet expresses itself. Again, you might want to use your keywords to better understand the meaning of the aspect. Let us extend our previous example and suppose that Mars is in Gemini and Jupiter is in Virgo (4 signs apart). A square between Gemini and Virgo can point to distracted thoughts disrupting your health or routine. 

Then you will look at the houses occupied by the planets. Again, let us suppose that Mars is in the 5th house and Jupiter is in the 9th house. A square between the 5th house and the 9th house can be an indication of creativity and pleasure conflicting with your higher ideals. 

Finally we will put all that we have surmised together and form a cohesive interpretation of the aspects

• bold and aggressive speculation 
• distracted thoughts disrupting health or routine 
• creativity and pleasure conflict with higher ideals. 

Interpretation # 1 

You may be feeling somewhat distracted now and unable to focus on the details of any matter leading you to stray from your usual routine. This can have a negative affect of your physical or mental health. You have more energy now and need to have some type of creative outlet. You may be used to playing it safe, but now you are more likely to throw caution to the wind and take big chances despite that odds being against you. 

Another way would be to write out the aspect and then list all your keywords out in order like so... 

Mars in Gemini and the 5th House Square Jupiter in Virgo and the 9th House  

Mars             Gemini         5th House     Jupiter           Virgo      9th House 

Action           Versatile        Creativity       Expansion     helpful     higher mind

Aggression    Adaptable      Pleasure         Optimism      humble    ethics 

Passion          Curious          Hobbies         Growth          detailed    foreign

Energy           Restless         Talent             Success         critical      philosophy 

Drive              Indecisive                            Generous      practical

Will Power    Talkative                               Luck             worrier

You can then string together your keywords to create a sentence such as 

Restless (gemini) action (mars) in the area of creativity and pleasure (5th house) conflicts (square) with practical (virgo) expansion (Jupiter) of the higher mind (9th house) 

Interpretation # 2 

For the short period that Mars is squaring Jupiter, you may experience a sense of restlessness and indecisiveness along with an abundance of energy. You are driven to start many creative tasks or projects and yet accomplish little to nothing because you jump from one project or idea to another and fail to complete anything.  Such restlessness and inattention to details creates a certain tension in any efforts to grow and expand the higher mind in any type of practical or useful way.  In short you are allowing your passions to override your better senses and so fail to find any satifaction from your efforts.  

The interpretation of aspects is an art and a science in and of itself which often confuses the student of astrology. However, once you collect your keywords and learn to disect them in an organized manner all it takes is a little practice to master the art of interpreting them. 

Carolina Dean 

Venus in Aries

Venus in Aries 

4/20/19 9:11 am Pacific 

Natural Chart / Whole Houses 

Venus (I Love) 

In a chart, Venus indicates what you are attracted to and what you attract to yourself.  Venus rules Libra and Taurus; is in detriment in Aries and Scorpio, is exalted in Pisces, and falls in Virgo. 

Keywords: adaptable, harmony, affectionate, artistic, beauty, attraction, charm, connection, femininity, glamour, intimacy, love, pleasure, seduction, social ease and vanity. 

Aries (I AM) 

Aries is a Fire / Cardinal / Masculine (active) Sign ruled by Mars. 

Keywords: assertive, strong, initiative, energy, impatient, headstrong, adventure, fearless, leader, pioneer, and eager. 

Venus in Aries (General)  

When Venus is in Aries, emotions expressed more aggressively so people are generally more affectionate and extravagant. However, Venus is said to be in detriment in Aries (see essential dignity) that is, its energy is diminished. So whereas people are more affectionate they may not be so lucky in the area of love and romance. 

How Venus in Aries Affects You

A planet, such as Venus, describes a specific type of energy. In the case of Venus it is the energy of love. The sign that it occupies indicates how that energy manifests. Venus in Aries can manifest as aggressive and fearless expressions of love and attraction. You can either be the aggressor or the object of such assertiveness.  Finally the house that the planet transits will determine where this energy will manifest in your life. In order to determine the house that Venus in Aries is transiting you look at your birth chart and determine what house aligns with Aries. For example. 

• If your rising sign is Aries, Aries is your 1st  House  
• If your rising sign is Taurus, Aries is your 12th House 
• If your rising sign is Gemini, Aries is your 11th House
• If your rising sign is Cancer, Aries is your 10th House 
• If your rising sign is Leo, Aries is your 9th House
• If your rising sign is Virgo, Aries is your 8th House
• If your rising sign is Libra, Aries is your 7th House 
• If your rising sign is Scorpio, Aries is your 6th House 
• If your rising sign is Sagittarius, Aries is your 5th House
• If your rising sign is Capricorn, Aries is your 4th House 
• If your rising sign is Aquarius, Aries is your 3rd House 
• If your rising sign is Pisces, Aries is your 2nd House

Example

Venus in Aries and the 6th House 

Venus (I Love) in Aries (I AM) in the 6th house of health and work can manifest as assertive expressions of love and attraction and this would likely take place in your workplace. Again, you could be the aggressor or the object of another person's interest. You could meet someone through your work or it could be a co-worker. However, with Venus being in detriment in Aries things could just be off or it could not be the right time and so things are not likely to work out. 

The sixth house is naturally aligned with Virgo and so you will not fall for anyone too easily. You may adopt the same attitude towards romantic relationships that you take to finding a job.  You may find yourself being critical of anyone who shows interest in you, assessing them to determine that they pass your inspection and meet your criteria. 

Where will Venus in Aries transit in your chart and how will it manifest for you? 

Carolina Dean  

Sun in Taurus

Sun in Taurus 

4/20/19  1:55 Am Pacific 

Natural Chart / Whole Houses

The Sun (I AM) 

In a chart, the Sun indicates where you shine. It represents your own ego as well as your approach to self expression and how you realize your self. The Sun rules Leo; is in detriment in Aquarius; exaltation in Aries; and fall in Libra.

Keywords: authority, confidence, creativity, power, ego, father, hope, vitality, potential, dignity, joy, generosity, extravagance, pride, individuality, recognition. 

Taurus (I Have) 

Taurus is an Earth / Fixed / Passive (Feminine) sign Ruled by Venus. 

Keywords: patient, consistency, predictable, steady, materialistic, passive, dependable, comfort, value, sensual, and laid back.  

Sun in Taurus (General)

When the Sun is in Taurus, people are generally more patient and less inclined to change. Taurus is a fixed sign, so people generally like things to stay the way they are. They are satisfied with the status quo and make the most of what they have.  People are likely to be more peace-loving and kind. 

How the Sun in Taurus Affects You

A planet, such as the Sun, describes a specific type of energy. In the case of the Sun it is the energy of self or ego.  The sign that it occupies indicates how that energy manifests. The Sun in Taurus will manifest as patient, kind, and steadfast.  Finally the house that the planet transits will determine where this energy will manifest in your life.  In order to determine the house that the Sun in Taurus is transiting you look at your birth chart and determine what house aligns with Taurus. For example. 

• If your rising sign is Aries, Taurus is your 2nd House. 
• If your rising sign is Taurus, Taurus is your 1st House. 
• If your rising sign is Gemini, Taurus is your 12th House. 
• If your rising sign is Cancer, Taurus is your 11th House. 
• If your rising sign is Leo, Taurus is your 10th House. 
• If your rising sign is Virgo, Taurus is your 9th House. 
• If your rising sign is Libra, Taurus is your 8th House. 
• If your rising sign is Scorpio, Taurus is your 7th House. 
• If your rising sign is Sagittarius, Taurus is your 6th House. 
• If your rising sign is Capricorn, Taurus is your 5th House. 
• If your rising sign is Aquarius, Taurus is your 4th House. 
• If your rising sign is Pisces, Taurus is your 3rd House. 

Example 

The Sun + Taurus + 7th House 

The Sun (I am) in Taurus (I Have) in the 7th house of relationship will manifest as patient, kind, and steadfast feelings or attitudes regarding your relationship. While we are inclined to interpret this in terms or romantic or sexual relationships, the 7th house rules relationships of all kind. 

With the Sun in Taurus and the 7th house you are satisfied with the state of your relationships and they should be going well. If not, you should see them improve and in the main time you will take a more laid back and passive position in regards to any problems that arise.  You are happy with the state of your relationships and wish to maintain this state of satisfaction. 

Where is the Sun in Taurus in your chart and how will it manifest for you? 

Carolina Dean