Mary Jo Wevers

Archives for May 2013

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Understanding Karma through Astrology

Planet_Saturn&EarthWhat makes us the unique individuals we are? Why do we have specific personality traits and attitudes towards life? What determines our aptitudes, predispositions and inclinations? Are we really born into this life as blank slates, so to speak, with our early experiences and relationships forming us and determining who we become?

In karmic astrology we see ourselves as spiritual beings having human experiences as we play the game of “Life.” In fact, we have had many human experiences throughout many lifetimes. The roles we play in our many lives, the skills, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors we develop, all leave an imprint on us. After an incarnation we review our experiences. We sort through our Soul’s intentions for us in that lifetime, and release experiences that are finished, complete and whole. Experiences that are not complete are set aside to be brought back into other life times. In this way, unresolved energy we create in the past is carried into subsequent lifetimes for further development or resolution.

Karma is our Soul’s intention for us to have a certain kind of experience in life. It could be to learn something, to heal something, to express something, or to complete something. Karma is not a judgment about us nor a punishment placed upon us for something we did. Karma is an opportunity to achieve balance, to expand our experience and to grow spiritually. Karma is not erased or cleared by external means. It is something we must experience.

Imagine you are on the other side, before coming into this life. You are in the “Cosmic Cafe” (Starbucks perhaps?) with your friends, making plans for your next lifetime. What kind of earthly experiences would enhance your spiritual growth? What lessons do you want to learn? What unresolved or incomplete issues from the past would you like to work on? What kind of relationships do you want to set up for that resolution or learning to take place? What kind of life conditions and environment would best help you achieve your goals? You turn to your fellow soul mates in the Cafe, asking some of them if they would be willing to take on certain roles in your next life time. Together you craft soul contracts that aid each of you on your own spiritual soul journeys.

In karmic astrology we view an astrological chart as a unique map or mandala that provides information about a person’s journey as a soul through many lives. Your birth chart is unique because no one else on earth, at least not for another 25,000 years, will have the same placement of planets and signs in the houses that is in your chart.

Your astrological chart reveals personality traits and skills, conscious and unconscious patterns of behavior, and themes that have been brought into this life for further development or resolution. It provides clues about past life scenarios that may manifest as shame or guilt in this life, and old wounds that have not yet healed. It tells us something about soul contracts you made with other people to assist you on your soul journey in this lifetime. It specifies your “soul mission”, the goal or destination your soul wishes you to strive for in this life, to expand your experience and assist in your personal evolution.

Sun sign astrology tends to focus on the sign of your Sun in your natal chart in a rather superficial manner. For example, your sun sign horoscope describes your likes and dislikes, the kind of mate you should have, and what kind of job you should look for. It feels static, deterministic or fatalistic. It does not recognize that people can grow and change.

In contrast, karmic astrology is spiritual and dynamic. When we look at your natal chart we see probabilities and possibilities. We recognize that we have control over our destiny by actively making conscious choices. When we become aware of our unconscious motivations and habits we can take responsibility for our karmic past and  break the cycle of repeating unproductive patterns of behavior. We work to heal past-life wounds, transform and transmute past life experiences into lessons, and live our lives with insight and gratitude. We strive to be conscious of the gifts and talents we have brought into this life so we can use them for the highest good. This is how we integrate our personality with our soul’s purpose in this lifetime and become empowered to actively create the life we choose.

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Gemini: Adaptability in a Changing World

ist1_1164242-eastern-tiger-swallowtail-isolated-objectsToday the Sun leaves the stable, placid earth sign of Taurus and enters the adaptable and interactive air sign of Gemini. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to rectify or redirect 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.

Gemini is bright, curious and intelligent. It has a child-like enthusiasm for exploring its immediate environment and learning new things. Gemini engages its intellect to work quickly and come up with easy solutions and answers to problems. Quick in thought and action, inquisitive and clever, Gemini easily grasps new ideas. It loves facts and is an avid information gatherer. The key phrase for Gemini is “I Think.”

The symbol for Gemini is The Twins, which represent duality seeking other viewpoints. Gemini appreciates both sides of an argument and knows there are two sides to every coin. Gemini is adept at seeing all aspects of a situation. It easily turns things upside-down or inside-out to view them from all vantage points.

Gemini is versatile and adaptable, understanding and accommodating. Gemini can be difficult to pin down because of its desire for more information, its need for sharing information with others and its reluctance to make firm decisions. Like the wind and the weather, this mutable sign is ever changing.

Gemini appreciates being in the moment. It is spontaneous and dislikes routine. It searches for variety, and delights in the multi-facetedness of life. Multi-tasking Gemini can do many things at once, such as talking on the phone while checking Facebook messages and browsing web sites. Like its archetype the juggler, Gemini is adept at keeping many objects in the air at once.

Quick-witted Gemini has a sense of humor and enjoys tricks and riddles. It excels in word-play, such as puns and limericks. Gemini mentally free-associates and can quickly change subjects when talking with others. Gemini effortlessly flits from topic to topic like a butterfly, briefly alighting on one idea and then the next.

Gemini rules our side-by-side relationships with siblings, peers and neighbors. Social Gemini shares its information and ideas with others. While talkative, Gemini can also be a good listener. It is a communication chameleon, adapting itself to changing situations and people.

Gemini rules our early childhood and grammar school education, when we learn the skills we need in order to adapt and move about in our small corner of the world. We acquire and refine our motor skills, learning how to tie shoes, play catch and team sports. We are taught language skills and how to read and write. We learn how to interact in socially acceptable ways with siblings, playmates, and other children at school. We master using the telephone and the computer to communicate with family and friends.

While Gemini appears changeable on the surface, it often lacks depth and persistence to make lasting changes. It has a short emotional memory and often fears the lesser known, deeper parts of itself. When it feels uncomfortable it changes the subject, or finds a back door to escape. Sometime appearing to lack good judgment, Gemini needs to learn to take responsibility for its feelings and actions.

Gemini’s restless intelligence becomes bored easily and it can lack follow-through. When it lives exclusively in the realm of the mind, it can neglect the body and practical, worldly matters. As the breath helps unify the mind and body, deep breathing exercises can be very grounding, centering and restorative for cerebral Gemini.

Archetypes for Gemini are twins, Peter Pan, the Fool, Coyote the Trickster, jesters and mischievous imps and sprites. Writers and journalists, novelists and book sellers, elementary school teachers, news commentators, weather forecasters, telephone operators, taxi drivers, and messengers of all sorts embody the energy of Gemini.

The color for Gemini is lemon yellow, which stimulates mental processes and encourages movement. Visualize yellow as you move about in your environment, in your car or on your bicycle. Malleable and flowing quicksilver is the metal for Gemini. Citrine is its gem. Ferns and Lily of the Valley are Gemini plants. Butterflies, small birds and monkeys are Gemini animals. Parts of the body ruled by Gemini are the hands and arms, the lungs and respiratory system.

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Solar Eclipse New Moon in Taurus

13496741-earth-and-moonWe have an unusual New Moon this month on May 9th at 5:28 p.m. PDT. Solar Eclipse New Moons and Lunar Eclipse Full Moons occur in pairs, two times each year. However this year, the first set of eclipses is comprised of a Solar Eclipse New Moon between two Lunar Eclipse Full Moons.

New Moons are fertile times for new beginnings, for starting afresh, for sowing the seeds of new projects and endeavors. As the Sun is conjoined by the Moon, our outer consciousness and awareness, creative self-expression and will, are infused with the emotional energy of our inner unconscious self. A Solar Eclipse New Moon is especially potent because of the exact alignment of the Sun, the Moon and Earth. It has the potential to break through blockages and barriers so that we may start anew. We may experience increased momentum in our life after a period of inertia. Events that have been long in coming finally manifest. Or we may be forced to make needed changes to clear the deck for the next cycle of manifestation.

This month the Solar Eclipse New Moon is in the feminine earth sign of Taurus at 19 degrees. It’s power is amplified by other planets in close aspect. Mars at 14 degrees Taurus lends its assertive, action oriented drive to push forward. Mercury at 17 degrees Taurus gathers information through the senses with deliberation and care. Pallas Athena exactly conjunct the New Moon applies her feminine intelligence and earthy common sense to set goals, lay plans, design strategies, and implement details.

The South Node at 16 degrees Taurus asks us to unearth the past, to resurrect old patterns that need to change. What old material, attitudes and issues from our history, stored in our bodies as cell memories, need to be transformed, released, and healed? How have we been clinging to the physical, material things of the world for comfort and security in ways that are holding us back? What do we think we need? What old values need to be transmuted so we can build self-worth and self-esteem in practical, grounded ways? Just as a snake sheds its skin, we too need to shed our past.

Taurus infuses physical matter with spirit, with the divine light of creative female intelligence during this New Moon. How can you create a deeper spiritual connection to the Earth, to its Divine Feminine aspect? How can you build a life of serenity and security, of contentment and satisfaction that is spiritually based? Tap into your inner creative intelligence. It will provide ways you can enhance your self-esteem and self-worth that are enduring, stable and have tangible value.

Planets in the sign of Taurus channel their energies through Taurus’ planetary ruler, Venus. In the Solar Eclipse New Moon chart Venus is in Gemini, applying her creative problem solving to create movement and change. The House in your astrological chart where 19 degrees Taurus falls represents the area of life where you can expect shifts or changes. Be in the now. Be flexible, adaptable, open to other options. In time, the changes you experience will lead to greater appreciation for the gifts you have.

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Venus, Planetary Ruler of Taurus

ancient-statue-nude-venus-isolated-white-15161529Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus, named after the Roman goddess of beauty and love. Venus symbolizes the feminine aspect of nature: the power of attraction, union and togetherness with others. The qualities of Venus are represented by love goddesses in mythologies around the world. She is also referred to as the “Goddess of Generation” due to her procreative powers.

Venus is the second planet from the Sun. Its proximity to earth makes it the brightest celestial object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. It appears as the Morning Star in the hours around dawn, or as the Evening Star at twilight. Valerie Vaughan states that a person with Venus in the Morning Star position in their astrological chart is generally more assertive in getting their social and sensory needs met than individuals having Venus in the Evening Star position.

In the astrological chart Venus represents our social urges, the first stages of social interaction via our senses. It defines what we are attracted to, what we find beautiful and gratifying. It reveals our natural talent for experiencing pleasure. Venus also represents our attitude towards the physical world: what we appreciate, love and value in life. She defines how we manifest our highest values in the world through our creative endeavors.

VenusThe glyph for Venus, sometimes called the “Mirror of Venus”, is the circle of spirit over the cross of matter. It represents the infusion of spirit into the material world through love. Spiritual Venus expresses her love and values by drawing to her the Prima Materia to bring Spirit into form.

The dream of my life
is to lay down by a slow river
and stare at the light in the trees–
To learn something by being nothing a little while
but the rich lens of attention.
-Mary Oliver

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Steadfastness and Stability in Rapidly Changing Times

jpegFriday April 19th the Sun will leave the adventurous, energetic fire sign of Aries and enter the stable, placid earth sign of Taurus. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to rectify or redirect the energy of the previous sign.Taurus grounds and patiently utilizes the fire energy of Aries to connect with the physical world and create form, substance, tangible things that provide comfort and security.

The stress from unexpected events in our rapidly changing world can take a toll on our personal security and well being. We need ways to healthily cope with the assertive, combative, even revolutionary and destructive events taking place locally and globally. This month we can align with the energy of Taurus to stay grounded and create serenity for ourselves. Keep your feet on the ground. Be deliberate and dependable. Keep up your stamina. We are in it for the long haul.

“Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help.”
– May Sarton