Venus in Capricorn - The Venus/Pluto/Saturn aspect

Have you seen the film Sense and Sensibility based on the Jane Austen novel? One of the major themes of the film was that you have to be sensible in love matters. That fiery romantic passion or deep emotional involvement are all very well, but when there are unsolved practical matters, love can never be. This, I think, is the essence of Venus in Capricorn.
This is a Venus that receives a lot of bad press, because it doesn't exactly fit well with the Danielle Steele or Hollywood ending concept of love. We have been made to believe that only this kind of love can be called TRUE and that the Venus in Capricorn kind feels more like an "arranged marriage" than actual love. Yes, Venus is exalted in Pisces and this "two become one" notion is a part of Venus, but the exalted one, the mask that Venus wears when she wants to put on a good face. But what is Venus really like, when she's all alone at home?
Venus rules Taurus, an earth and pragmatic sign that wants to enjoy the material side of life and since love and sex are parts of that, it wants to enjoy them, too. This is not a sign that harbours any romantic fantasies and doesn't spend its life crying over unrequited love. Taurus believes that in order to be in love, there has to be another person beside you that you can touch and feel and who wants to touch you back. Otherwise, the whole thing is pointless. The feelings that Taurus has for another person are very much valid, but unless these feelings can take shape and form on a material level, it just doesn't bother.
Venus also rules Libra, which may be a more romantic sign than Taurus, but it is also a very Saturn-friendly sign. Since it is an air sign, it wants to communicate the love it feels and that's what it expects from the other person. Because Libra believes that love needs to stand the test of time (Saturn), the two people involved need to be very clear as to what they want, so that a compromise can be reached. Libra may dream of an ideal partner, like every other sign, but its saturnian nature doesn't allow it to dwell in this dream for long.
Which means that, from Venus's point of view, Capricorn is not such a bad sign for her. It is an earth sign and a Saturn-ruled one. The problem with this placement is that, very often, there is too much Saturn. There can be a belief that love has limits, that love is something that you need to work hard for and that feelings are not to be trusted because they will lead you astray. This is sensible, but perhaps TOO sensible, since it doesn't allow any room for the unpredictable, for those few wonderful moments when love sweeps you off your feet. Which, in turn, can lead to a dried-up emotional state, but that's not what Venus wants. Venus wants the materialization of feelings, no matter how hard that seems to be sometimes.
Too much Saturn can also lead to a lack of demonstrable affection. I may have feelings but I do not show them for fear of rejection. If I show you my feelings, then I allow you to invade in my private territory, which, for Saturn, equals death. Better to keep my feelings in check than risk my annihilation. But, alas, this sort of attitude is what drives other people away.
The current Venus transit in Capricorn, with its mutual reception with Saturn in Libra, offers an excellent opportunity to make sensible choices and decisions about love. Are you in a relationship that has ceased to function? Perhaps this is the time to end it. Are you feeling love that unfortunately is not reciprocated? Then perhaps this is the time to stop. Are you involved in a situation that you need to choose between two people? Then choose the one a healthy Venus would choose. Deep down you know who that is.
Venus, however, is also going to conjunct Pluto, so for some of you making the right decision is a matter of life or death. Or for others, a love affair has become so toxic, that it needs to end immediately. But whatever you do, you need to take into account that you are also animals who don't have the luxury to forget about the instinctual part of life. Calculate your move, by all means, but keep in mind what your primitive self wants as well. And if you start a new relationship with Venus/Pluto, don't get stuck in the throes of passion but try to keep your head on your shoulders, because Saturn is waiting in the wings.

2010 sign predictions Part 2 - The mutable and fixed signs

So, you've finally said goodbye to Saturn. Some of you may have liked it, some of you may not, but what happened, happened. Saturn is going to make a brief return to Virgo, affecting primarily the last three degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), forming therefore another opposition with Uranus, so the ball is in the court of the third decanate. The other major event of the year is Jupiter in Pisces, which will also affect more strongly the third decanate with its three transits.
The first decanate of Gemini and Virgo will only have the Jupiter transit to think about, which will pass pretty quickly. These two signs don't particularly like Jupiter, because Jupiter represents intuitive knowledge, knowledge that comes from within. More often than not it ignores facts and it's not interested in proof. Gemini and Virgo, however, the two Mercury-ruled signs, are interested in external knowledge and pay great attention to detail. Gemini likes to accumulate every tiny bit of information and Virgo likes to extract knowledge from it. So, the jupiterian energy is foreign to them. For some of them, however, their life circumstances for a brief period of time will probably demand a leap of faith. Can they do it? The Virgo first decanate will also receive a trine from Pluto, but unless this transit involves an angular house or their progressions and returns point towards Pluto, then they do not have much to worry about. For Pisces and Sagittarius, however, it's a different story, especially for Pisces. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter and Jupiter will be in the second sign that it rules, Pisces, and even though it's going to form a square to their Sun, this transit will probably be more beneficial than otherwise. For the first decanate of Pisces, this could be a year to remember, especially for those of you born around the 28th of February. This is going to be one of those years with many opportunities offered, helping you to realize what you are here to do. It will all depend on the natal house this conjunction will take place and if it is also strong in the solar return chart. Bear in mind that Jupiter is interested in expansion. Does the life you've built so far allow any room for expansion or have you closed all doors? If it is the latter, you will be disappointed. Don't waste this wonderful transit by simply putting on weight.
For the second decanate it's more or less the same as above, only the beneficial effects for Pisces are a bit toned down. For the third decanate, things are quite different. You may be the lucky ones regarding Jupiter (Pisces mostly), in the sense that it will go over your Sun three times, but at the same time, Uranus and Saturn are still going to be breathing down your neck, particularly those of you born on the last 3-4 days of your respective signs. Saturn, however, will leave Virgo for good in late spring (and this is the time of year you need to be particularly careful about) and after that you will be left with Jupiter and Uranus, from the autumn onwards. Some of you will feel a tremendous burst of energy, especially Pisces, a sign more inclined to inertia. Something new and exciting can come out of this period, especially for Pisces and Sagittarius. Geminis and Virgos will probably feel a bit uneasy despite the excitement, because your well-ordered world will receive enormous pressure. You too, should check out your progressions and returns.

For the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), as far as transits go, this does not seem to be a memorable year, at least for your Sun. With the exception of the latter half of the third decanate, where Neptune will still exercise a strong influence, the rest of you will not receive any heavy pressure. So, you must check your birth chart and find out if you have any personal planets or the angles in the cardinal or mutable signs, because they are going to be the ones with the leading role this year. Those of you still affected by Neptune and Chiron, try reading my older posts on those planets.
The other thing, besides Neptune, that needs to be mentioned, is Mars in Leo for the first half of the year. The first two decanates have already experienced it and will experience it twice more. The third decanate will be influenced in late May. Again, read my older post on this transit.
Scorpios, however, will also receive a trine from Jupiter. Cancer and Pisces, the other two water signs, will know what to do with Jupiter, but will you? The darkness you like to dwell in is not what I would call Jupiter-friendly. This could be a year where a bit of opening-up will be needed. Are you ready to do that? It doesn't matter if you regret it later. Betrayal, after all, is part of your life story. But some of you will be given a chance to experience ecstasy, albeit briefly. Why waste this opportunity? Those of you who will take that chance will never forget it, despite whatever pain might ensue. Isn't that worth it?

2010 sign predictions Part 1- the cardinal signs

An accurate astrological prediction needs to be based on the person's natal chart and even then the astrologer must have feedback from the client in order to put the chart into context. Astrological practice doesn't involve the exercise of psychic powers and its' interpretations are the result of mathematics, research and experience. Therefore, whatever predictions you read on the Internet or in magazines based on just your Sun sign must be taken with a grain of salt. They are just guidelines and some very basic things that you need to know. So, what do the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) need to know?
They need to know that this is the year of prominence for the first decanate (those born on the 10 first days) of the cardinal signs. All the big planetary action is going to be in your turf. What we are basically talking about is the Saturn-Pluto square. The Jupiter/Uranus conjunction will very briefly visit the early degrees of your decanate but will soon return to Pisces. So, what does the Saturn/Pluto square mean? Saturn, when it aspects the outer planets, has the ability to capture their somewhat elusive energy and bring it down to earth. Pluto, basically, brings about experiences that make you realize that you live in a very unstable world. That anything you value can be taken away from you at any time, which means that the experiences it is interested in, almost invariably involve great pain and loss. Passionate love affairs that end up in tears? Death of loved ones? Experiences that make you feel threatened in some way and force you to summon up your survival instincts? Whatever the case, it seems that after a Pluto transit or progression you feel that you have irrevocably changed and you can't pretend to be innocent any more or believe in the fairness of life. No more civilization but the survival of the fittest. Does that include all of you? No, of course not. But those of you who have strong Pluto contacts in your natal chart, cardinal signs on the angles, a strong Pluto progression at the same time and a solar return chart that simply screams Pluto, then an experience that falls more or less along the lines of those described above is probably on the menu for this year. Cancerians in particular, beware of any opportunity that seems promising, especially around February. Don't let your guard down, but be cautious and double-check it. Don't get enrapt in Jupiter's glamour, because Saturn and Pluto can't be pushed aside.
The second decanate of the cardinal signs will be mainly concerned with the Saturn transit in Libra, from the autumn onwards. Libras and Capricorns like Saturn, in the sense that they share more or less the same values. So, this is a time for you to pull up your sleeves and get down to business. Saturn is never pleasant, but at least this is a better transit than when Saturn was in Cancer. A marriage or a serious relationship? A better job that will also involve greater responsibility? A move or a change of residence? Family issues? Anyway, this is not a time to be frivolous and carefree, but that's not your nature, so don't worry. For Aries, this is not going to be an easy transit. You will need to learn a new word that does not exist in your vocabulary. Compromise. You will feel at times that you carry the weight of the whole world on your shoulders. Your friends and loved ones are going to be wondering why all the gloom and sadness. Even if nothing of great significance happens, you won't like this transit because it will slow you down. Some of you will feel chained to a rock and unable to start any new endeavours. You will feel OLD, something that you hate more than anything. And the real question is: How responsible are you? How will you react to the pressure? For Cancer, this can prove an interesting year, because your decanate will first receive a Jupiter transit and then the Saturn transit. You absolutely love Jupiter and you absolutely hate Saturn. Which means that you may feel on top of the world in March but lousy in November and December, especially those born on the first 5-6 days of your decanate. You should check your progressions and returns and find out if your year leans more towards Saturn or Jupiter.
The third decanate of the cardinal signs will not experience any heavy transit in 2010. No Saturn and no Pluto. This could be an uneventful year for you, unless your progressions and returns say otherwise. With the exception of Cancer and possibly Capricorn. For the cancerians of the third decanate this could be an excellent year. You are going to have three Jupiter transits over your Sun. Three trines from a very strong Jupiter in Pisces. What more can you ask? Will your emotional hunger be finally satisfied? Temporarily, at least. Don't forget that Saturn is waiting in the wings, though. For the Capricorns of the third decanate, Jupiter is going to form sextiles with their Sun. The sextile is not such a strong aspect as the trine and what's more you don't particularly like Jupiter. You don't trust it, because you don't believe in luck. However, it's not going to harm you. If you also have a Jupiter progression, then this could be a great opportunity for expansion in the areas of the houses affected.
Last but not least, have in mind that the eclipses this year will fall on the Cancer/Capricorn axis, so these two signs will also receive an energy boost, either for good or for ill.

Susan Boyle and Neptune in Aquarius

So, Susan Boyle has done it. She's number one on both sides of the Atlantic. But the question remains: Is she so special? I, too, was touched and moved by her appearance on Britain's got talent, but is that enough? Does that make her a great artist? OK, she can sing. But so can millions of people around the world. She's no Barbra Streisand or Aretha Franklin. So, what's the reason behind her success story?

I think the answer lies with Neptune in Aquarius. Neptune, it seems, determines fashion and trends, depending on the sign it is in. What was the fashion that became prominent during this transit? We live in a reality show era, where meaningless everyday conversation in shows like Big Brother suddenly became interesting. We believe that anybody can do anything. We don't want specialness (Leo), we just want the boy and the girl next door (Aquarius). Or rather, the boy and the girl next door ARE special and this is the time for them to shine. We don't want stereotypes. We don't want to be told that in order to become successful you need to be tall, dark and handsome. In short, we want a Susan Boyle. We want to shout at the top of our voices, so that everybody can hear: If Susan can do it, so can I!
But then the Leos of this world intervened and pointed out the obvious. Her album is full of boring renditions of well-known ballads from an adequate singer at best. If there were no hype surrounding Susan Boyle, how would we have reacted to such an album? We probably wouldn't have bothered at all. So, Leos proclaimed their absolute truth. No, not everybody's special. There are people who excel at something and those are the only ones who should be allowed to shine. That this aquarian mentality simply leads to a lowering of standards. That if we continue in this fashion, people with real talent and the truly gifted ones will never make their mark in this world, because all the mediocrities will have taken up all the space. That everybody may be useful, but very few are special.
How does Susan Boyle's chart fit in this era?



Her MC is in Aquarius, so Neptune has been going over it the past few years. This year, however, she was also experiencing her Jupiter return, which is also in Aquarius. In fact, when she sang in front of the judges in January, the Jupiter return was exact. Her progressed horizontal axis (Ascendant and Descendant) is between natal Jupiter and progressed Jupiter, so Jupiter is strongly activated in her chart. And of course, she personifies the ugly duckling story with her very strong Saturn (traditional ruler of the MC) in square with the severely debilitated Venus. In short, she is the perfect candidate for success in this time and age. But, alas, ages change.

Nodes and fate - Monica Seles case study

Astrologers have always associated the Nodes with fate. Some talk about past lives (South Node) and current incarnation (North Node), others about concentration of energy (NN) and release of energy (SN), for traditional western astrology North Node is good and South Node is bad, for Vedic astrology both Nodes are bad and so on. Even though we can't agree on the exact nature of the Nodes, almost every astrological branch seems to regard the Nodes as very important points in the chart. What I have noticed in many cases, although I cannot call it a rule since extensive research has to be made, is that when the progressed Sun conjuncts either of the Nodes, something "fated" quite often happens.
Monica Seles, one of the tennis legends, had a troubled career. At the height of her power, when she was the undisputed world No 1, she was stabbed at the back, during a match, by a Steffi Graff obsessed fan. Naturally, she went off tennis for more than two years and went she returned, even though on occasion she displayed the skills that had once brought her to the top, she could never recapture her best form. The incident happened on April 30, 1993. This is her natal chart:


We may have an approximate time of birth, but since the ascendant degree is in the middle of Scorpio, it seems that we are safe with a Scorpio Ascendant. Scorpio ascendants will very possibly at some point in their lives go through a transformative life experience, if the rest of the chart supports this. Monica's chart ruler (Mars) is in the 6th house of misfortune and illness, but is strong in its' own sign. It forms, however, a T-square with Uranus and Venus. We may deduce from that that at some point misfortune (6th house) will hit her unexpectedly (Uranus), but she will be able to pull through (Mars in Aries). Her Nodes are in the difficult 2nd/8th house axis. From a modern perspective, we can say that through some experience of loss (8th house), she will have to learn how to sustain her body (2nd house). The 8th house ruler (Mercury) is very possibly conjunct the Ascendant, which means that an 8th house sort of experience will one day manifest in her life. So, what was happening on April 30, 1993?
Her progressed Sun was exactly conjunct the nodal axis, so "fate" was knocking on her door. She was going through a nodal return, so, again, the Nodes were emphasized. The lunar return South node was conjunct the 8th house cusp AND the natal 8th house cusp, since the lunar return Ascendant was the same as natal Ascendant, always a sign that something important will happen. Her solar return Mars (her natal chart ruler) was in Cancer, the sign of its' fall, retrograde and exactly conjunct the solar return Ascendant. Her solar return chart ruler (Moon) was in the 8th house, but, fortunately, close to the 9th house cusp and not in the 8th sign from the Ascendant. She was also going through a Saturn transit on her Moon, the light of sect, conjunct the 4th house cusp, the "end of things" and Pluto was transiting the 1st house and therefore also Mercury, the 8th house ruler. Of course, we all have difficult transits and difficult returns all the time and nothing significant happens. But for Monica, this was the time when her progressed Sun was conjunct the nodal axis. That was the most important thing happening in her chart at that moment. As a result, her life changed dramatically.