August 28th ~ September 4th
Image of the Smoky Mountains is courtesy of Unsplash
I think it’s so important to instill in children to have faith and to know there are great things out there. Greatness is out there, greatness you can tap into. But it has to start from in your heart. ~ Dolly Parton
We lost a light between the eclipses. It is also true that when we lose these precious lights, the light is not lost. It is unleashed through the veil. It grows, it becomes profound, and becomes a part of the fabric of our lives. And that is true even though we don’t know that this is happening. Dolly Parton’s husband Carl referred to his wife as an Angel, not just as a term of endearment, but the real thing. Her passing brings with it a reminder that there is good in the world, and it was made manifest through one small, spicy, big-hearted soul that managed to touch so many lives.
It’s amazing what one person can do with a Big Heart and Big Dreams. Diminutive, humble, but powerfully determined, Dolly Parton started a reading program for children in honor of her father who could not read. She started a foundation aimed at lowering high school drop out rates in her home county in Tennessee. She donated millions of dollars to support children, medical research and disaster relief. She also wrote songs about broken hearts and broken lives, and the beauty found through love and sacrifice. May she now find joy in singing with the other Angels in the beyond.
Out of the chaos of the eclipse season, we come through the veil to the other side, taking note of where and how the dust has finally settled. Things come to light through these Lunar Eclipses like we had Thursday night. This one with Uranus at the bendings was trying to also show us some of the missed steps that still need to be accomplished in order to proceed with our goals and plans. It may have thrown a few monkey wrenches into the proceedings, but at least we now know what we have to do, and where we stand.
As we were moving through Eclipse season, Jupiter and Saturn were gradually forming a trine (120º) aspect with one another. This is a supportive relationship taking place in the fire signs Aries and Leo. Because they are in the same element and approaching the same degrees of those elements the energy between them is allowed to flow between them harmoniously.
Jupiter, which was feeling challenged in July by what felt like insurmountable forces, is now able to see the means for a path to unfold. Jupiter represents our big vision for the future. Perhaps a bit grandiose in the sign of Leo, Jupiter in Leo thinks large. He thinks in terms of potential. Of vast horizons, growth and possibility. Jupiter in Leo is asking us to find glory in who we are becoming, and to share that glory in some way with others. This is a positive placement that aims to see joy in even the seemingly small things in life, and make the most of whatever circumstances they are presented with. One thing that Jupiter in Leo realizes is that even in the face of extraordinary circumstances there is still hope.
Saturn in Aries reminds us that if we wish to fulfill that Big Vision, we are needing to take the initiative. Do something. And begin with a plan. And that is true even if it feels like a lot of hard work. Saturn is retrograde, and oftentimes plans formulated at these times are a lot more involved than previously realized. But that’s what Saturn is showing us now. If you want this, what do you need to do to make it happen?
Saturn in Aries is the General of the Army. He gathers the forces together. He maps out the plan, organizes the troops, and creates something of a time line. Because the energy between Jupiter’s Vision, and Saturn’s proactive stance are supporting one another, this is the perfect time for us to create some sort of realistic and achievable plan. Jupiter represents the vision, but Saturn brings us the tools and the ways and means to make that vision possible. Saturn is here to remind us that all journeys always begin with a first step. And maybe a few more to follow. What might your first step be? Knowing that can make all the difference right now.
There is yet another monkey wrench in the picture this week. Mars in Cancer is square retrograde Saturn Tuesday. We know we need to create a plan (Jupiter trine Saturn) and we can even see some sort of road opening up before us. So what’s stopping us? Fear? Reluctance? Not wanting to leave where you are? Anxiety? Go slowly. this is not something to be in a rush about. But those problems piling up are not going to go away on their own. This is just the first step. Don’t overwhelm yourself with the steps that will follow. Focus on what is in front of you now. The first step. Then take the wisdom of Jupiter and the experience of Saturn to plot out a carefully manicured plan of action.
The past few weeks may have been filled with a few twists and turns, and some unexpected detours. So the first step may be to assess your present circumstances. What new information have you received? What has shifted? What is the first thing that really really needs taking care of before you can proceed?
Jupiter and Saturn perfect their trine on August 31st. Up until now, we’ve been doing a lot of information gathering. So some good things to do with this information may be:
Creating a to-do list. Having 29º of Virgo Rising I have a gazillion of these. But with Jupiter now trine Saturn I realized it might be more efficient to consolidate those lists and create a GIANT Master List that I can put in a visible place where I can no longer ignore it. The mere thought horrifies me, but I also know that it might actually get done if I can see it. If nothing else, it will motivate me to finally pare that list down to a point where it can then be taken down. How might you use the organizational skills of Saturn combined with the wisdom of Jupiter to plan out your to-do list for the next 7 months?
Clarifying your goals. First you need to figure out what are the right goals for you. Wise Woman Dolly Parton told us: “I think you need to make friends with yourself, you need to be your own best friend. You need to know who you are, and there’s that famous saying of mine which is to find out who you are, do it on purpose, and with purpose. Because you really need to know who you are.” Know who you are in your heart of hearts (Jupiter in Leo!), and that will help you to clarify your goals and what you have to do to achieve them (Saturn in Aries).
Create a Road Map. Something that is simple and easy. But organized. It’s going to need to be updated later this year and in January when Jupiter and Saturn come to loggerheads (that’s when we realize we are going to need a little help). Various retrogrades over the winter months are going to have us backtracking and readjusting as well. But then Glory Be, by April, when Jupiter makes its Direct Station, both planets will be working together SEAMLESSLY. Like a well-oiled machine. Create the Plan now. Get the bugs out over the next 6-7 months. Get everyone on the same page. And know that your Big Vision will be given that Green Light to proceed next Spring.
But for now, gather your wits about you and ask: What do I need to do first?
And then there is this also from Dolly:
I make it a point to appreciate all the little things in my life, I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. I re-read passages from my favorite books. I hold the little treasures that somebody special gave me. These small actions help remind me that there are so many great, glorious pieces of good in the world. ~ Dolly Parton
For this week’s horoscopes, click below: