Mary Jo Wevers

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Sagittarius: The Quest for Greater Meaning in Life

The positive polarity of Sagittarius gives it an outwardly directed enthusiasm for exploring the world and acquiring new experiences. Goal directed and far seeing, Sagittarius is the archer, setting his aim for the stars. An idealistic philosopher, Sagittarius searches far and wide for knowledge, wisdom and a higher perspective in life.

The key phrase for Sagittarius is “I Understand.” Through Sagittarius the intellect is illuminated by the light of spirit. Sagittarius asks us to expand our view, seek higher learning, and find a broader perspective. Sagittarius knows a problem cannot be solved on the level it was created. It needs to be approached from a higher level, where we have a larger and more complete point of view. When we see the bigger picture we can find answers and possible solutions.

A seeker of truth in pursuit of knowledge, Sagittarius rules religions, philosophy, and institutions of higher learning. It rules foreign countries and languages, and traveling long distances to explore other cultures. Through these avenues Sagittarius expands its understanding of the world and uplifts its personal beliefs and philosophy of life. In its search for truth, Sagittarius covers a lot of ground!

Sagittarius loves adventure, physicality, freedom, wide open spaces, and the outdoors. The natural world and animals, especially horses and deer, are symbols of Sagittarius. It rules outdoor pursuits such as hunting, natural history and the science of ecology. Sagittarius enjoy participating in sports for the physical experience and knowledge gained.

Sagittarius’ love of wide open spaces can cause it to become claustrophobic and commitment phobic if it senses it is losing the mental, emotional and physical freedom it craves. Always on the move looking for the next new adventure beyond the horizon, Sagittarius easily becomes bored and restless. Lacking patience and focus, it misses details and lacks the staying power to see a project through to completion. It prefers to see the forest, and not the trees.

Sagittarius is friendly, direct, and values honesty. It is generous and willing to share. Fun-loving Sagittarius has a sense of humor. It inspires others to lighten up and be optimistic, and to have faith and trust in the future.

The Sagittarius love of expounding on its philosophy can lead to preaching, close-mindedness and fundamentalism if unchecked. Problematic Sagittarius can become attached to being “right”, to being an expert, or a wise person or authority. In this way Sagittarius can cut itself off from exploring other points of view, beliefs or philosophies that might expand its own world view and spiritual vision of life.

Areas of life ruled by Sagittarius include our personal beliefs and philosophy, our vision of life. Religious institutions, practices, rites and ceremonies are Sagittarian. Moral and ethical standards, the law, legal affairs, and publishing are all ruled by Sagittarius. The higher mind and the ways we acquire wisdom, such as through formal education in a college or university, are Sagittarian. Venturing beyond our home to gain new experiences and long distance travel are in the domain of Sagittarius.

Archetypes for Sagittarius include philosophers, college professors and teachers, clergy, spiritual leaders, visionaries and shamans. Travelers, gypsies and wanderers, such as the cowboy riding off into the sunset are also Sagittarius archetypes. Parts of the body ruled by Sagittarius include the hips, upper legs and thighs, the pancreas and fatty tissues. The gem for Sagittarius is turquoise. Its metal is tin. Sagittarius plants are birch trees and dandelion flowers. Its animals include deer and horses. The color for Sagittarius is royal purple.

“Truth resides in every human heart, and one has to search for it there, and to be guided by truth as one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his own view of truth.”
– Edmund Burke

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Scorpio: Instrument of Spiritual Regeneration and Rebirth

The negative polarity of Scorpio gives it an introspective, investigative energy that is secretive and penetrating. Scorpio has a passionate desire to probe the depths of life’s mysteries. It uses its determination, intensity and inner strength in resourceful ways to overcome its fears and face the darkness: the turbulent swampy underworld with its shadows and demons. It understands that darkness and light cannot exist without each other. They are co-creative forces in life.

Scorpio uses its transforming and resurgent powers to cleanse and heal itself. Unafraid of death, Scorpio strips away the superficial and extraneous. It surgically eliminates the unessential and the false to reveal the “bare bones.” It uncovers deeper truths, discovers its true nature, and reveals its innate essence.

Scorpio knows that we are spiritual beings, only temporarily having this human experience. Our ego enables us to navigate our earthly life. Yet there comes a time when the ego and physical form we identify with must die. Death is but one stage in the cycle of reincarnation. In this cycle, our spirit climbs upward in an ever-expanding spiral, similar to the kundalini force surging up the spine during awakening.

Just as a snake sheds its skin, we need to periodically shed parts of ourselves so we can spiritually transform and regenerate anew. Scorpio asks us to venture into the deepest parts of our subconscious, face our shadows, and experience the “death” of our ego-identified self so we can become transfigured and experience rebirth. This how we evolve at the soul level.

Scorpio is magnetic and sexual. The key phrase for this fixed water sign is “I Desire.” It is strong willed, intense, persistent, and has difficulty letting go. It can be extreme, obsessive, a lover of chaos, fear, pain and suffering. The emotional nature of Scorpio is expressed in powerful ways. Scorpio is attracted to catharsis for its drama and intensity, and uses it to provide relief from strong or suppressed emotions. The vast amount of concentrated energy stored deep within Scorpio can burst forth unexpectedly and destructively, like a volcano.

Psychologically, Scorpio is associated with the “shadow side” of our psyche: our fears and obsessions, fixations and compulsions; our need for control and personal power; and acts of betrayal and manipulation, treachery and vengeance. Preoccupied with power, Scorpio ultimately comes to understand that true power cannot be gained by being obsessive, controlling and dominating others. We must plumb the depths of our own inner psyche, and exorcise our demons. Exercising self-control, being insightful and inscrutable allows us to reclaim our own power and use it to transform and regenerate ourselves.

Scorpio is represented by different colors and symbols, which correspond to the levels of its spiritual awareness and expression. The black scorpion represents the lowest level of Scorpio. When threatened, it inflicts pain with the venom injecting barb at the end of its tail. The deep red phoenix rising from the ashes of its ego-identified self represents the resurgent power of Scorpio. The eagle soaring on high with its piercing depth of vision symbolizes Scorpio’s ability to see clearly into the heart of the matter while keeping an objective distance above emotional chaos. Having transcended death itself, the white dove, known in Christianity as the Holy Spirit, symbolizes the highest and purest spiritual expression of Scorpio, the rebirth of the Soul.

Areas of life ruled by Scorpio include other people’s values, shared possessions, joint assets and wealth, as well as power struggles over shared resources and sexuality. Scorpio rules politics, political relations and economics, which contain elements of power and control. Death, mysteries, secrets and hidden things fall under the sign of Scorpio. Significant breakthroughs and other deeply transforming emotional experiences are in its domain.

Occupations and archetypes for Scorpio include private investigators, criminologists, researchers, surgeons, psychiatrists, pathologists, politicians, organized crime, terrorists, sex workers, occultists and vampires. Parts of the body ruled by Scorpio are the organs of reproduction and elimination. The gem for Scorpio is onyx. Its metal is plutonium. Thorn-bearing shrubs and chrysanthemums are Scorpion plants. Snakes, spiders, scorpions, scavengers and parasites are Scorpio animals. Parts of a house that are ruled by Scorpio include sewer drains and septic systems, exhaust vents, toilets, and garbage systems.

“Your lost power resides in the hidden depths of your Being. Do not be afraid to go there. The things you fear are only shadows. The power you can reclaim is necessary to power your Solar Light. You cannot shine fully in the world without it. You will only be a weak version of the Divine Flame you are meant to radiate.”

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Self-Knowledge through Relationships

The positive, outgoing polarity of Libra is expressed in its desire to connect with others. Libra believes that personal interaction is the basis for all major insight and advances in society. Libra desires a civilized, cooperative meeting of the minds in an atmosphere of refinement, reasonableness and harmony. This cardinal sign is the “iron fist in a velvet glove.”

A social air sign, Libra uses its intellect to understand opposing perspectives and to find ways to extend fairness to all. It shares its views, and strives to convince others of their credibility. It uses compromise to resolve opposing and competing views, and reach agreement. Libra is a diplomatic mediator, a just peacemaker. The key phrase for Libra is “I Balance.” Its symbol is the Scales, an instrument used to measure or weigh by balancing objects.

Libra can become out of balance by putting other people’s needs and aspirations ahead of its own. When it avoids confrontations out of its desire for peace at any price it sacrifices its own identity and desires. As it compromises its self, its personal identity fades into the “we” of partnership. Libra can then become miserable dwelling on the lack of fairness and justice for itself.

Poised, gracious and charming, Libra rules interpersonal skills, social behavior and etiquette. It refines and polishes its efforts to create successful interactions between people. Keenly aware of other people’s preferences and desires, Libra tactfully strives to please and avoids offending at all costs. Libra can appear superficial and frivolous when avoiding issues that may provoke disagreement or anger. It can be passive, flattering and phony out of fear of discord or conflict. Libra touts honesty, but shies away from holding opinions that might be offensive. As a result, Libra often appears to be indecisive. 

Areas of our life ruled by Libra include all face-to-face relationships including business and marriage partnerships, social circumstances, and interactions with peers and open enemies. Libra governs our interpersonal skills, including how well we cooperate and collaborate with others. It rules our inner attitudes about compromise, harmony and agreement. Contracts, agreements, and joint endeavors fall under its domain.

Spiritually and psychologically, Libra represents the search for greater self-awareness and understanding through relationships. We project onto others unresolved issues in our psyche we have difficulty acknowledging, our “shadow side.” In face-to-face relationships the other person is a movie screen for our own projections. They mirror back to us elements of our self we are not consciously aware of. We are forced to see them, so that we can take steps to resolve, transform and heal them.

We have opportunities to learn more about our self through family relationships and business and marriage partnerships. Problematic issues arise and we must find ways to reconcile them. We learn how to balance our needs with the needs of others. We discover ways to share power, and to give and take. In the crucible of relationships we are subjected to forces that result in our own growth and transformation.

Libra archetypes are arbitrators, moderators, negotiators and emissaries; judges, mediators and lawyers.  Designers and interior decorators, art dealers and curators are examples of people who exhibit the Libran love of beauty and refinement. Colors for Libra are deep rose pink and magenta. The gem for Libra is opal. White roses, cosmos, hydrangeas and poppies are Libra flowers. Lizards are Libran animals. Parts of a house that are ruled by Libra include living rooms, picture windows and draperies, and rooms containing works of art. Parts of the body ruled by Libra are the lower back and kidneys.

“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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Tending the Seeds of Our Creativity

Tuesday August 22nd, the day after the Great American Solar Eclipse, the Sun leaves the courageous and creative fire sign of Leo and enters the humble and improving 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 us to use our heart-felt creativity 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 improve. Virgo “tends the seed” with dedication and dependability. 
 
Last month’s two New Moons in Leo, including the solar eclipse, and the lunar eclipse Full Moon 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 our gifts to improve the human condition and help heal the planet.
 
As the Sun enters the sign of Virgo seven planets are retrograde, suggesting our energy in the month ahead is meant to be more internal, rather than outwardly directed. We can align with the planetary energy by reviewing recent events and experiences, reflecting on them, reconsidering alternatives, and resolving problematic issues. This resonates with the practical receptive energy of Virgo, which naturally wants to analyze, improve and perfect.
 
The Sun in Virgo conjoins Mercury, moving retrograde since August 12th. Be discriminating with your words. Be humble in your interactions and communication with others. Think before you speak, and avoid criticism and being nit-picky. When commenting or giving advice, ask yourself, is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it needed? Is it kind?
 
The Moon conjoins Vesta in Virgo, reflecting an emotional desire to devote oneself to spiritual service and nurture others. Find ways you can connect with your own inner light, and through community service, be the “keeper of the flame.”
 
Mars in Leo conjoins the lunar North Node, inviting us to act from a spiritually higher, heart-centered place of love, rather than from a self-serving ego. Mars and the North Node form a grand fire trine with Saturn in Sagittarius and Uranus in Aries. While trines are generally seen as supportive, both Saturn and Uranus are retrograde, signifying a need to rein in tendencies to be dogmatic or erratic, and stabilize impulsiveness or combativeness.
 
Ceres in Cancer is opposed by retrograde Pluto in Capricorn. Corruption, deception and lies continue to be exposed in corporate and government systems and institutions, generating fear for our safety and security. Ceres trine retrograde Chiron in Pisces can lead to indulging in feelings of vulnerability and fears of being victimized. Direct your emotional energy in practical, service oriented ways to improve situations, solve problems, and be a force for better health and healing.
 
“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy.
I awoke and I saw that life is all service.
I served and I saw that service is joy.”
– Rabindranath Tagore

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A Time for Courageous Action in the World

Saturday July 22nd the Sun leaves the emotionally sensitive and protective water sign of Cancer and enters the exuberant 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. Leo shifts our awareness from the inner realm of feelings and inspires us to radiate our unique, individual spark of light into the world. A fixed sign, Leo uses its will and determination to express itself with joy-filled creativity and lead with pride.

As the Sun enters the sign of Leo it conjoins Mars, lending its vitality and enthusiasm for life to the planet of assertion and action. The fusion of the two planets in Leo is a powerful combination, suggesting profound willfulness and risk-taking, boldly asserting individual needs with courage and bravery. As Mars is the dispositor of Uranus in Aries, actions could become impulsive, rebellious, erratic, and create conflict or harm. Act and lead from a heart-centered place. Have courage and confidence in your convictions. Be aware of your goals when applying your energy. Think things through, and be patient.

Mercury in Leo conjoins the lunar North Node, inviting us to interact and communicate with others from a spiritually higher, heart-centered place of love, rather than from a self-serving ego. Be enthusiastic and speak to inspire and encourage. Lead with respect for the dignity and honor of others. Know that like you, all members of humanity carry the divine spark of life, and are seeking ways to create and express their individuality.

The Moon in Cancer trines retrograde Neptune in Pisces and is opposed by retrograde Pluto in Capricorn. Sensitivities and feelings of vulnerability may be triggered by the continuing unearthing of the corrupt and decayed in institutions and systems we have relied upon. While this may leave us feeling helpless or victimized, we can call on the energy of Leo to be inspired to create a brighter future that uplifts us all.

With the transition in May of the Lunar North Node into the sign of Leo for the next year and a half, we are invited to embrace a heart-centered approach to problems and issues that arise in our world. This month we can align with the Sun’s radiant energy in Leo by celebrating our love for life. Find joy in your individuality. Make heart-felt connections with others. Communicate with self-confidence. Be generous with your gifts. Take action with courage and strength. Practice your leadership skills. Shine your light into the world.