Astrology by Lauren

August 31 ~ September 7th

When I stand before thee at the day’s end, thou shalt see my scars and know that I had my wounds and also my healing. ~ Rabindranath Tagore

Once again, Chiron and Pluto will be traveling together for several weeks, highlighted at this week’s Full Moon in Pisces, which is conjunct Chiron.  

The mythological Chiron, was half human, half horse, caught between two worlds: the world of the human potential for enlightenment, while simultaneously being embodied in an animal/human form.  Centaurs in general were known for being indulgent louts, with an appetite for alcohol and sexual gratification.  Chiron by contrast was far more sophisticated, educated by the ‘Gods’ and a sage advisor and teacher.  The son of Cronos (Saturn/Time) he was immortal.  So when wounded accidentally by an arrow poisoned with the blood of the Hydra, he could not die, but was subjected to unbearable pain and suffering from the resulting wound in his thigh.  Through his own research and attempts to heal himself, he became extremely knowledgable and skillful in medicine and the healing arts, although he was never able to heal his own wound.  Finally resurrection came when he voluntarily traded his immortality with Prometheus, in order to effect a peaceful death and release from the pain of his earthly existence.  However, instead of being drawn into Hades, Pluto’s realm, he was placed among the stars as the constellation Sagittarius.

Through experiencing one’s own wounds, one develops compassion as well as the means to heal others.  The wounded healer feels the world’s pain because he has experienced suffering himself and knows what that means.  Chiron, astrologer, healer, teacher, surgeon, was the oldest and wisest of the centaurs.  Over the next several weeks, he travels with fellow healer, Pluto.  Pluto lends a strong sense of purpose, as well as the will, effectiveness and power, to make a difference.

Chiron, a half-comet half-asteroid centaur* is conjunct the Full Moon in Pisces on Friday. Through its sextile to Pluto, we are being given the tools and knowledge to effect a healing, even in the wake of what appears to be a confusing, and often unforgiving world, and even when common sense tells us that we don’t stand a ghost of a chance against ‘the powers that be’.

The following excellent video on Chiron, was created by Humanity Healing International, which is a humanitarian, nonpolitical, nondenominational spiritual organization promoting Spiritual Activism as a means to foster Healing for communities around the world.

Chiron is the bridge that can be built between our lower conscious mind experience, and our higher, universal, spiritual experience.  Chiron gives us the means and the tools to build this bridge.  Whether he arrives as a guide, a teacher, an advisor, an astrologer, a healer, an organizer, a priest, an initiator or an elder... she or he will give us the tools to heal our own wounds through the process of healing the wounds of others and of society.  In this way, we have the capacity to create some sort of remarkable shift in our lives.  It’s up to us to gather our forces, and then consciously use the tools, skills and knowledge that are being placed at our disposal.

 *A centaur is a small body that orbits the Sun between the planets Jupiter and Pluto, and crosses the orbits of one or more of the outer planets.  Chiron travels between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus.  Scientists believe that Chiron came from outside of our solar system, and may some day leave.  

The above fresco of Chiron and a young Achilles can be found in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Naples, Italy.

For the week of August 31st thru September 7th, be sure to read your rising sign as well:

Aries

Old, hidden, repressed wounds, fears and weaknesses can be revealed in the light of this Full Moon.  What’s so astonishing is that these very wounds are the source of your effectiveness in being able to make connections with others, understand their pain, and create positive change in the world.  Acknowledging your own battle scars and fears, allows you to identify with the invisible and disenfranchised people of the world as well.  Try to channel some of the powerful energy of Mars, now in Scorpio, to fix, rebuild, rehabilitate, remedy and make a difference, both in your life, and the world at large.  This is a very effective week for pursuing and achieving goals.

Taurus

Don’t take things too seriously over the early part of this week.  As Venus fearfully travels through the last dregs of Cancer, she’s going to be particularly sensitive.  Things are probably not half so bad as they seem.  Observe, but try not to take yourself or situations too seriously.  Use this time for introspection and meditation.  You will definitely know when Venus has left Cancer (on Thursday), because all of a sudden the party hats will be pulled out of the back of the closet, and looking pretty spiffy at that.

Gemini

As your ruler, Mercury, enters Virgo, you would expect clarity to descend like manna from heaven.  The problem is you are also going to be simultaneously showered with way more conflicting information and voices than you can handle.  Yes, the circumstances are shifting and changing... and the best bet is to trust your intuition, but also make sure you get all the advice you need if you have to commit to anything this weekend.  However, this sense of unease will shift to incredible clarity and discrimination over the course of the week, where it will become extremely apparent what your true course of action should be.  Also, through the light of the Full Moon, you are being given an opportunity to explore your role as teacher and healer to others.  It could be pretty profound.

Cancer

Wisdom as well as healing is found through your own search for self-improvement, and self-healing.  Through education and through your own spiritual search.  As you grow through this experience, you come to realize that number one, you are not alone in your suffering, and number two, because you have experienced pain in your life, you are in a better position to help and heal others.  As well as help and heal society.  Simply because you understand.  

Leo

Decide what part of your life needs mending, healing, fixing, right now, and take the steps to do so.  Sometimes through admitting what your weaknesses are, by laying your soul bare, you take those first steps towards healing.  It starts with wanting to make a difference.  It follows with a conscious realization that something needs to be reformed, healed, and then going for it.  You have a lot of power behind you to get things done, especially earlier in the week, but watch out for extravagance and excesses after Tuesday.

Virgo

Your ruler, Mercury, enters your own sign, which should and will bring clarity.  But not without some initial self-doubt over the weekend.  It may just be that there is too much information to absorb, so you feel confused and overwhelmed.  This is a temporary situation, don’t spend too much time second-guessing, for clarity unfolds over the week ahead, where you will be able to dot all your i’s and cross your t’s, and be able to see through all the veils of confusion and chaos with discriminating x-ray eyes that don’t miss a detail.  One thing to pay attention to: as clarity descends, and you are able to dig out the truth of a situation, it is also important to follow through with a decision that you make.

Libra  

A health issue or diet concern could come to light with the Full Moon on the 31st.  Pay attention, because this can mean the difference between a healthy, or debilitating lifestyle.  There is also a last ditched effort for Saturn to raise it’s voice in your sign this week, as issues about relationships, and whether or not you are feeling valued and appreciated raises its spectre.  It may be that you are expecting more than others are even capable of giving.  Take the focus off others for the time being.  This is a really good time for quiet reflection and meditation, as your ruler Venus moves through the last degrees of Cancer.  You will know when it enters Leo on Thursday.  That’s when the party starts.  

Scorpio

Can’t you just feel the power?  Your ruler, Mars, is now in its own sign of Scorpio (the Amazon warrior!), and joining forces with the powers for reformation, healing and empowerment.  If you don’t have some sort of passionate commitment or a sense of purpose, then you will want to reassess exactly what you are doing, and where you can direct that energy.  In fact an opportunity to discover what that is, is likely to present itself.  If you already do have clear goals, and something that you are truly passionate about achieving, you can make significant progress and make meaningful connections this week.  

Sagittarius

The Full Moon on Friday illuminates both the dysfunction as well as the glory of your personal or family history, or roots.  Often what we perceived to be a disadvantage growing up, is revealed to be an asset.  We would not be who we are today, if it wasn’t for our personal history and heritage.  And these can also be a source of healing and self-worth.  Towards the end of the week watch for a tendency towards extravagance and showing off.  In this case, pride does goeth before the fall.  Moderate your expectations, and you’ll perform even better than expected.

Capricorn

Relationships could be a bit strained through the middle of next week, as Venus mournfully wanders through the last vestiges of Cancer.  You will know when Venus enters Leo on Thursday, for it will feel like you will finally be able to get down to business.  The Full Moon can shed light on where communications have gone awry, either because you did not get the full story, did not hear correctly, or you only heard what you wanted to.  When you figure out the underlying cause of miscommunications, also spend a little time on how you can remedy the situation.  Healing can come through first realizing that you do have something very important to say, and the capacity to listen, really listen, and connect to what others have to say as well.

Aquarius

The Full Moon on Friday can reveal to you how your lack of self-esteem perhaps, or an over-accentuation on what you do or do not have, is interfering with your own personal growth, and willingness to receive.  Giving is good.  But you also have to be willing to be open to receiving in order to allow the flow of energy to pass between yourself and others.  Like a circuit.  Amanda Owen tells us in her wonderful book, The Power of Receiving,  that one of the first simple steps is to be able to accept compliments.  Thank you for being you, Aquarius.  You make our world so interesting, and dare I say, fascinating.

Pisces

Pisces doesn’t need illegal substances to transcend the material, physical world.  So it comes as something of a rude awakening when the world outside breaks in and disturbs your high.  Try to maintain your objectivity and composure even in the midst of having to tend to very real issues, and having to make decisions.  Just make sure that you have all the information you need before making a commitment.  And watch for a tendency towards extravagance, overindulgence, or overly high expectations towards the end of next week.  However, if you ride that wave of optimism, you can actually use it to accomplish goals or tackle opportunities that you might otherwise ignore.