Mary Jo Wevers

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Projection and Reflection in Relationships

Sometimes we think an issue we are struggling with lies in the way someone treated us. Perhaps our mother did not nurture us in ways we needed. Or our father was remote and uninterested in us, or stern and critical. We may place blame on them for our current problems, chronic issues, or unhappy life situations.

The Ego-Mind likes stories. It tries to protect us and provide explanations for experiences in our past that cause us pain. However a story can keep us stuck in the past. A story is static, while we are dynamic. Change is the only constant in life, and if we want to move forward and evolve we have to let go of our old stories.

What if we reframed our perspective and re-wrote the stories about our past relationships? What if we let go of playing the role of passive victim and, owning our experiences, viewed them as opportunities for our growth and development?

Perhaps the relationships we have with others are soul contracts to help us gain self-awareness and to work on our own issues. Other people may trigger something in us, or reflect something back to us, thereby helping us see something we were not aware of. An emotional reaction to something outside of our self provides a clue that draws our attention.

Instead of giving our power away by blaming someone for triggering or mistreating us, and spinning into story, we can take responsibility by turning inward. What is coming up in us that needs resolution or healing? What changes can we make for our self? This is empowering and puts us in the driver’s seat of our own life.

From this place we can adopt a higher, broader, more spiritual perspective for understanding our life experiences. We can see that relationships are what I like to call “the crucible for self-awareness and transformation.” We can honor the soul contracts we have with others and have gratitude for the ways others serve our spiritual growth.

“What angers us in another person is more often than not an unhealed aspect of ourselves. If we had already resolved that particular issue, we would not be irritated by its reflection back to us.”
– Simon Peter Fuller

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Healing Divides and Improving our World

Wednesday August 22nd the Sun leaves the courageous and charismatic fire sign of Leo and enters the humble and service-oriented earth sign of Virgo. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to rectify or redirect the energy of the previous sign. Virgo directs the heart-felt creativity of the Sun to be of practical service in the world. A mutable sign, modest Virgo applies its powers of discrimination and analysis to perfect our human existence: to heal, make corrections and ameliorate harmful conditions.

We have completed a season of eclipses, where the Sun and Moon align with the lunar nodes, activating problematic karmic patterns for release or renovation. The last two eclipses in Leo provided opportunities for us to connect with our inner divine spark of life, to rededicate ourselves to living with enthusiasm and joy, and to upgrade our unique creative self-expression. This coming month we are invited to apply ourselves and utilize our gifts to improve human conditions and help heal the planet.

Mercury completes its retrograde phase four days before the Sun enters Virgo. After its review period, we can absorb and integrate the new awareness and perspectives we gained during the retrograde. Mercury will continue moving through the retrograde Shadow Area, the portion of the zodiac affected by the retrograde, until September 2nd. During this time we can make use of our newly gained insights, apply new information, and implement alternative strategies, as we integrate newly found knowledge. Have courage, encourage others with your generosity, and lead from the heart. Having gained clarity about issues and ideas, Virgo will assist us as we implement our improved plans and approaches.

As the Sun enters the sign of Virgo it forms a Grand Earth Trine with retrograde Uranus in Taurus and retrograde Saturn in Capricorn. Uranus in retrograde motion disrupts our internal comfort and complacency, prompting us to review, reflect, and resolve any issues related to our physical existence, including our relationship to our physical body and dependency on the Earth’s ecology. Retrograde Saturn asks us to take responsibility for reviewing rigid, outmoded structures and systems in our world. What is no longer working? Uranus will help us break down and sweep away the old, paving the way for creative innovative change. The three planets in the earthy trine support each other in grounded, stabilizing ways. The practical receptive energy of Virgo, which naturally wants to analyze, improve and perfect, can help us find practical solutions to our problems, methods for improvement, and implement them with diligence and devotion.

The Moon in Capricorn is positioned between retrograde Mars and retrograde Pluto. It provides an emotionally receptive influence as Mars and Pluto review and reconsider the use of power and actions taken in patriarchal institutions. The Moon trines Ceres in Virgo, lending committed, purposeful support to nurturing others by improving conditions and healing divides. Through Virgo we can bring together disparate factions, bridge the gaps, and realign systems to be of greater service for all.

“The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.”     -Robert F. Kennedy

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Facing Unpredictable Changes with a Courageously Open Heart

Sunday July 22nd the Sun leaves the sensitive and vulnerable water sign of Cancer and enters the confident and courageous fire sign of Leo. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to rectify or redirect the energy of the previous sign. The astrology this summer portends unexpected developments and unpredictable changes. More than ever we need to summon courage and stay centered in our hearts as we witness dramas unfolding on the global stage. Leo redirects our awareness from the realm of feelings and vulnerabilities and inspires us to move out into the world where we can use our inspired creativity to find solutions to long standing problems. Use your will and determination to love life, honor others, and command respect for individual rights during these unstable times.

The positive polarity of Leo gives it an enthusiastic, sunny, and expansive energy. Having a flair for drama and passion, Leo is a great actor and performer. It loves being on stage in the spotlight taking on varying roles. Leo commands attention, approval, love, respect and applause from others.

Leo governs the ego and the conscious process of becoming an individual. As spiritual beings having a human experience, our egos enable us to function in the world. When we have a healthy ego, we connect with our own inner light and find creative forms of self expression. We learn self-mastery by setting goals and directing our energy and enthusiasm towards them. We are generous in sharing our creative powers and love of life.

The key phrase for Leo is “I Will.” Having abundant courage, Leo does not hesitate to act, especially in undertakings in which personal recognition is desired. It participates in life fully and completely. At its best, Leo is generous, heart-centered, and gives to others in loving ways. Leo must guard against being insecure, arrogant, dominating and having an inflated ego.

Proud, regal, and dignified, Leo respects itself. It values honor and is loyal. Leo’s animal magnetism and charisma make it a confident and influential leader. Leo’s goal is to inspire others to become leaders and shine in their own right.

In many cultures Leo symbolizes the ultimate authority, God on earth, represented by the crown and throne and personified by kings and queens. The symbol for Leo is the majestic lion, representing power and authority. Positive archetypes for Leo include the benevolent ruler, and kings and queens who model courage and strength to their people.

Psychologically, Leo rules our Inner Child: the joyful, creative, spontaneous part of our self who is both playful and sophisticated at the same time. Being in touch with our Inner Child in loving ways connects us with our own spark of divine light. We become more lighthearted, happy, and ebullient. We find ways to channel our individual energy and vitality in creative, whimsical amusements. We play, discover pleasures, enjoy recreational activities such as games, sports, vacations, holidays, and parties. We have fun as we learn self-mastery in the world.

Spiritually, Leo represents the generous heart-centered out-pouring of light and love of life. A candle flame used to light many other candles is not diminished by its sharing. The more that is expressed and freely given, the more there is in the world. As we use and share our light, warming and illuminating others, we encourage them to do the same.

Leo rules our spiritual life purpose. Staying connected to our own individual spark of divine light allows us to create out of joy so we can share our love with others. What brings you joy? What do you love to do more than anything else? What kind of activities excite and replenish your energy? What is a heartfelt expression of your life force and creativity?

The color for Leo is golden yellow, the radiant color of the Sun. Visualize the color gold when you want to build self-love and self-respect, increase confidence, or create warm connections with others. Ruby is the gem for Leo. Gold is its metal. Sunflowers, marigolds, orange and citrus trees are Leo plants. Lions, cats and peacocks are Leo animals. Actors, comedians, stage performers and entertainers personify Leo. Parts of the body ruled by Leo include the heart, upper back, spine, solar plexus and spleen.

This month we can align with the Sun’s radiant energy in Leo by shining our unique, individual spark of light into the world. Find joy in your individuality. Take action with courage and strength. Have confidence. Practice your leadership skills. Make heart-felt connections and respect the divinity in others. Communicate with love. Be generous with your gifts.

“The difference between a leader and a demagogue is a leader brings out the best in his or her followers; a demagogue brings out the worst. History is filled with both.”

– Robert Reich

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The Feminine Face of Gemini

Sunday May 20th the Sun leaves the stable, patiently creative earth sign of Taurus and enters the adaptable and interactive air sign of Gemini. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to redirect or apply the energy of the previous sign. Gemini lifts the solid and steadfast energy of Taurus to engage the intellect, connect with others, and create movement. It helps us interact with our world, share our thoughts and ideas, and adapt to changing conditions.

Gemini is traditionally viewed as an outwardly directed “masculine” energy, and its dualistic quality is usually represented by a pair of male twins. In ancient depictions, however, the twins are a woman and man joining hands, or an androgynous pair. The expression of Gemini this month has a distinctively “feminine” quality: grounded, inwardly directed, reflective, sensitive and nurturing. In the ingress chart the Sun in Gemini is disposited and expressed through Mercury in Taurus, giving it an earthy, stable quality. Taking in information through all the physical senses and listening to the body’s communications grounds us in the present moment. Taurus’s ruling planet Venus is in the emotionally sensitive, receptive, and reflective sign of Cancer. It conjoins Pallas Athena in Gemini, describing a creative feminine emotional intelligence that knows how to use communication to build strategic connections. Venus in Cancer is linked to the Moon in Leo conjoining Ceres and the lunar North Node. We are invited to nurture our self and others through sensitive heartfelt expressions of our creative life force as we move towards our evolutionary spiritual destination.

The decidedly feminine quality of the planetary energies described above is reiterated and emphasized by Uranus, newly in the sign of Taurus. For the next seven years Uranus will apply its revolutionary force freeing us to access our feminine side and urging us to embrace the Divine Feminine. It will create changes needed to bring balance to the masculine and feminine principles in ourselves and in our world. Look to the feminine face of Gemini, and tune in to her guidance in the month ahead. Use patience, emotional sensitivity, and heartfelt appreciation for grounded sensibility in your thoughts and communications.

Having been immersed in patriarchy for thousands of years, we are not conscious of the many ways it keeps us from accessing and utilizing our Divine Feminine energy. Patriarchy devalues and denigrates the feminine values of relationship, nurturing and supporting others, having a connection to our emotions, using intuition, and appreciating our Earth, our bodies, and our physicality. Retrograde Jupiter in Scorpio dispositing to retrograde Pluto in Capricorn in the ingress chart speak to the continued unearthing of toxic secrets, corrupt systems, and hidden ways the patriarchy exerts its power and control. In order to restore balance in the outer world, we must deconstruct and transform the old, rigid attitudes and systems of patriarchy that are deeply embedded in us. We can dive deep and eliminate or transform toxic belief systems we carry within us, so that we can hear the voice of the Divine Feminine and embrace her values once again.

In a rapidly changing world Gemini directs us to move with the times. As the structures and systems of the patriarchy continue to undergo deconstruction necessary for evolution, we can listen to the feminine voice of the Messenger of the Gods for direction and guidance through revolutionary change. As we receive her downloads of information and creative insights, we can begin to make sense of the chaos in the world. By embracing Gemini’s feminine communication filter we can be more adaptable, make connections, and bridge divides. Be practical, methodical, deliberate and consistent when communicating with others. Respond carefully, with warmth, serenity and calm. Keep your feet on the ground and a strong connection with your heart. Gemini in her feminine expression will provide fresh perspectives and innovative ideas for supporting others and building a better world.

“Think of yourself as an incandescent power, illuminated and perhaps forever talked to by God and his messengers.”
     – Brenda Ueland

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Restoring our Relationship to Gaia Earth through Taurus

Thursday April 19th the Sun will leave the energetic and pioneering fire sign of Aries and enter the stable, practically creative earth sign of Taurus. Last month’s planetary energies represented sowing the seeds of bold beginnings that will take root and grow through practical wisdom, responsible management of resources, and hard work. This month Taurus rectifies and refines the fire energy of Aries by patiently turning our awareness to our relationship with the Earth, the source of all life. Taurus teaches us to love and appreciate our earthly experience and the tangible things the physical world provides to sustain and support us as spiritual beings having a human experience.

Reforming Uranus is completing its eight year transit of Aries, and separating from its confrontational square with Pluto in Capricorn. The global upheaval catalyzed by this square has resulted in unexpected changes and upsets in our societal systems and institutions. This month Uranus enters the sign of Taurus, signaling a shift into new territory where we can expect disruptions, upheavals and change. We may be rudely awakened to how valuable the natural world is to us, and how we have taken it for granted and misused it. Is it wise to ignore the natural forces and rhythms of life on this planet? We need to review our attitudes and reform our relationship to the Earth.

Moving into Taurus, Uranus will turn our attention to reforming areas of life that pertain to our connection to the Earth, the forces of nature and natural cycles, our physicality, and our dependence on material resources for safety and security. The force of Uranus moving through old patriarchal systems will accelerate the breaking down of old paradigms that denigrate Mother Earth and the Divine Feminine. Will we learn to listen to the quiet yet powerful voice of the Feminine for innovative insight and direction? Uranus will shake up old, entrenched financial and banking systems. What new innovative monetary systems and currencies, such as bitcoin, we will see? Uranus will affect technology and agriculture, impelling us to find ways to align and integrate the two in order to move us into the future. Can we provide greater access among all people to food and resources necessary for human survival?

We can enhance our own evolution in the years ahead by tuning into our physical bodies and engaging with the world through all our senses. As Walt Whitman described in his poem I Sing the Body Electric, the human body is not simply housing the Soul, but connects us through its physical substance to our Soul, and to each other. We can tap into the energy of Taurus this month to find our inner strength and endurance as we witness dramatic changes in our rapidly transforming world. When we focus our awareness on our inner values, rather than deferring to external authority figures, we can align with what is truly meaningful in our lives. As we cultivate our inner sense of peace, safety and security we become less dependent on outer sources to provide them for us. We become stronger and more self-sufficient, satisfied and gratified by the beauty and riches our natural world provides in abundance.

“Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson