Astrology by Lauren

There is a certain sense of doubt that can accompanies a Saturn station retrograde.  A feeling that perhaps you have taken a wrong turn somewhere, or are barking up the wrong tree.  But for the 4 months every year that Saturn is retrograde it’s really about reassessment.  How do you feel about the goals that you have set for yourself? ... are they in line with your life path and priorities?  Most likely it’s not necessarily that you are on the wrong path.. it’s more about how you can make that path more meaningful to you.  

And because Saturn has just stationed, at the very last degree of the tropical sign of Libra, the sign of partnership, we are also being given a chance to reassess our relationships and partners, and whether or not these are furthering, or detracting from our goals.  Strong relationships based on mutual respect will withstand even the closest scrutiny.  But those relationships that are tenuous at best, are going to falter and need adjustment, during the next 3 weeks that Venus, the ruler of Libra, will be in the warrior sign of Aries.  It’s time to think about priorities.

Shall we add to this equation, that Mars, the ruler of Aries, is also still retrograde, and way too busy shuffling papers around, making the internets crazy, and being distracted by the small stuff to be of much help.  This is the “Don’t bother me, I’m busy and preoccupied and stressed out with too much work to even care!”  weather.  And just to add a little je ne sais quoi, Mercury, the ruler of Virgo is entering the Piscean miasma this coming week.  

If you thought you couldn’t get anything done last week, just wait... Mercury in Pisces can feel rather like you are losing your mind along with your memory.  I speak from life-long Mercury in Pisces experience.  But it can also offer opportunities to escape into your imagination and to step off into the void for an interlude of stillness.  The way to negotiate this land of foreign tongues, intrigue, lies, glamour and delusion?  By keeping the goddess Aletheia, the goddess of truth, close to your heart.

Prometheus, the potter who created the forms of our present generation of humanity, decided one day to create the form of Aletheia, Truth, so that she would be able to regulate people’s behavior.  Called away suddenly, he left his apprentice Dolus (Trickery) in charge of his workshop.  Dolus, used the time to surreptitiously create an almost identical copy of the statue that Prometheus had made of Aletheia, except that when he came to her feet, he ran out of clay.  When Prometheus returned he caught Dolus in his act of counterfeit, but was amazed at the similarity of the two statues, and decided to place both in the kiln and infuse them with life.  When completed, Aletheia (Truth) walked with measured steps, while her unfinished twin was stuck in her tracks. The forgery, the product of subterfuge, was thus named Mendacium, or Falsehood, and I readily agree with people who say that she has no feet:  every once in a while something that is false can start off successfully, but with time Truth is sure to prevail. ~ Aesop

For the week of Feb. 10th thru the 17th, be sure to read your Rising sign as well (and if you don’t know it you can figure it out with the Ascendant calculator on my Home Page):

Aries

Yes, Mars is still retrograde in Virgo.  

Taurus

“In a controversy, the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.” ~ Buddha.  Anger does not suit you, Taurus.  It so ill fits the sign of peace and tranquility.  No matter how bullied or mistreated you may feel, you need to trust in the laws of cosmic justice.  In all your dealings, go armed with truth on your side.  Those people that are trying to undermine you, will be revealed for who they are.  Karma is the broom that sweeps out that which we no longer need, and may in fact be keeping us from growing.  Trust in the universal Law.

Gemini

Try to take care of all the necessary paperwork, details in your life, that need to be tended to over the weekend, before Mercury slithers into Pisces on its webbed wings.  This is when the truth could easily get twisted or misrepresented through the grapevine. Don’t necessarily believe everything you hear this week, but do pay attention to your gut.  Follow your heart.  What is Mercury in Pisces weather good for?  Shifting gears towards meaningful and rewarding work and activities, as well as indulging the imagination.  Seek to find spiritual as opposed to material value and gratification from what you do this week.  

Cancer

One of the issues with Neptune now in Pisces, will possibly be revealed this week, as you discover that something that you had always previously assumed to be true, or to even be law, may in fact not be.  This is more food for thought, especially if you find yourself in a contest of wills that conjures up all sorts of feelings of powerlessness, resentment, and a surprised sense of betrayal.  Sometimes the people or situations in our lives that we cling to for security, may in fact be holding us back, and keeping us from growing.  If you wish to escape, do so through the veil of your imagination... and maybe a really good movie.    

Leo

We are depending on your clarity this week to be the beacon light.  It’s about keeping things real.  You can go on vacation next week, and allow yourself to dissipate, but this week, you have some straightening out to do.  Use this week to get things done.  You are walking into a time warp of self-discipline and self-restraint, so use it well, and focus on a goal that you would like to see get accomplished. This is also a time to take an objective, hard practical look at your life, at your goals, at the path that you have chosen for yourself.  If it stands up under this kind of close scrutiny, then you can rest assured.  

Virgo

With Mars still hanging around in your sign, it’s good to remember that the faster you go, the more behind you’re going to get, and the more you sweat the small things, the less time you will have for the things that really really matter.  So slow down, pace yourself, and look for meaningful encounters in your life.  Avoid Debby downers, and people who psychically sap you of your energy, and lead you down the garden path.  Rather seek those people and situations that feed you spiritually, and accept you unconditionally for exactly who you are, warts and all, and all in all.  

Libra

It’s time to reassess not only your goals, but the relationships in your life.  It may indeed be evident that some changes need to be made, in order to allow for more growth. Which people are supporting you, and which are detracting you from your purpose, deliberate or otherwise?  Are you pursuing certain goals because that is what you want, or because that is what is expected of you?  What are those things and people that bring you joy?  And what are those situations or people that make you feel deeply uncomfortable?  There are times in life where a certain amount of brutal self-honesty becomes necessary.  

Scorpio

Just when it was looking like you were going to be able to make a whole new start... you realize that you need to pause for a moment and just absorb it all.  Don’t even try to make sense of things now.  Just let it rest for a bit.  There may be some things that you are going to have to go back to, to revisit, to unload.  Whenever you make a new beginning it’s a good idea to lay the old ghosts to bed, and unload yourself from any baggage that you’ve been carrying around.  Whether that means cleaning out the garage or simply meditating.  It’s time to de-clutter and clean house.

Sagittarius

If things are not moving forward in your goals or in the outside world, perhaps it’s time for you to be putting the focus closer to home.  It may be that that which you had previously assumed to be true, is not, or vice versa.  Perhaps you were focusing on the wrong things.  When in doubt, look about you.  Listen with your ears beyond the words you are hearing.  Watch with your eyes, beyond what you are seeing.  Pay attention to your heart.  And then take note of the things that are truly, truly meaningful in your life.  It may be that it was right there in front of you all this time.

Capricorn

For the 4 months that Saturn is retrograde it’s time to reassess our goals, as well as our relationship to authorities, and what it means to you to be in charge of your life.  There may be some setbacks that cause you to doubt the path that you are on... On the other hand, they may just reinforce your determination to move forward and succeed.  It’s really up to you.  If you are truly happy with where you are going and what you are doing, then nothing will dissuade you from your path.  But if you need to make some adjustments, then see what you can do differently to reinforce your confidence and faith.

Aquarius

Dare to step outside your comfort zone this weekend, and do something different.  For yourself.  With people who care about you, and accept you for who you are, no matter what you choose to wear in public.  They say that some of the best medicine for what ails you is laughter.  The kind that makes your sides ache.  So remember, in the words of Dr. Seuss: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that mind don’t matter, and those that matter don’t mind.”  You’ll need your wits later on when you’re trying to balance the budget... or what’s left of it.

Pisces

As Mercury moves into your domain this week you are more likely to speak up about things that you have been considering and thinking about for some time now.  About things that matter to you.  A lot.  Being led by your heart, this might not be the best time to be making major decisions though... at least not until you can see the whole picture... not just the parts that you want to see.  However, rest assured, that if your motives are in the right place, the rewards could be quite extraordinary.  

The above painting is entitled  Time Saving Truth from Falsehood and Envy (1737) by François Lemoyne