From Heated to Healing: Mars Direct June 29

From Heated to Healing

 

Astro Alert: Mars Stations June 29
 
This week, the big cosmic news is that Mars is slowing down to a halt, to station during its retrograde cycle in Scorpio. The hot-headed red planet of drive, action and anger turns direct on Wednesday, June 29 at 4:38pm PDT. Deep psychological inquiry, sexual healing and intimacy and in-depth investigations can all regain momentum as Mars slowly begins forward motion once again. But caution is needed during this transition.

Willful Mars is in a karmic angle with feisty Uranus in Aries, known as a quincunx or inconjunct.This trepidatious configuration warns us to be conscientious in our movements right now, as accidents with words or deeds can occur more easily. Watch for arguments and hasty actions.  Move especially carefully between transitions, whether in traffic, on the yoga mat, or running to your next appointment. Be cautious when acting too quickly out of frustration. Our pent-up energies do need outlets right now. But this release must be done carefully.

Slow down. Driving ourselves or our vehicles too hard now will drain us or cause accidents. We may want to party-hearty for the Summer Kickoff, July 4^th, or our favorite sports team; but remember that the body has its limits, as does the mind. Give yourself plenty of down time. Rest between exertions. We are moving forward with new consciousness that needs time to integrate! This holds true for both animate and inanimate objects.

Passionate Mars is in another testy placement: the same quirky quincunx position with Ceres, the Great Mother asteroid, also in Aries and conjunct unpredictable Uranus for the past several weeks. Intimacy issues may require forced attention. With this configuration, what others expect of you in relationship may be quite different than what you need. The solution with a quincunx must be creative; you must find a completely new way to approach the problem.

In close, intimate liaisons, there can be a sense of panic arising. Is one or both persons trying to be overly independent, or does one feel like the other will never, ever be able to meet their needs? The temptation is to bolt, eject, push the “escape hatch” button. Insecure attachment is a real bugaboo. Remember, there is a calling to find a more creative solution between two individuals, especially if passion and sexuality are called to question.

Luckily, Mars in Scorpio is also trine Chiron in unconditional, accepting Pisces, pointing out that love is the answer - and sexual healing, whenever possible. If we are not partnered at this time, healing our attachment wounds still occurs by using this partner-free time to self-nurture, self-bond, and self-care. We can always deepen intimacy with Spirit, with Soul.

Healing the pain of old childhood wounding brings much-needed compassion to ourselves. We may ask questions such as: How were sex and intimacy represented in our upbringing? Were they embraced, celebrated in healthy ways? Or ignored, distorted, abused? Instead of making reactions to our current partners and caregivers, see if we can use the intensity to heal. Mars stands still holding Scorpio’s scalpel, and the urge is there to slice deep; let’s make sure the incisions are accurate, and only cut as much as necessary. With great care, deep trauma stored in the body's cellular memory may be released now.

Just a few moments before Mars’ station on June 29, Mercury the communication and connection planet enters the loving sign of Cancer. Thank Goddess. It is as if the Cosmos is gently coaxing us to comfort ourselves and each other, to assuage suffering. Mercury in Cancer says, “Remember: Use your words… to heal.” Cultivate care, nurturing, and sensitivity. A deep infusion is likely needed with the impending Mars' station and pressure build-up.

The hotness of the red planet's long retrograde psychic surgery has taken its toll. Now, slowly slowly, turning direct and moving on, the healing can begin. Trust and let the intensity gradually calm down and cool off. Take heed during this transition when physical or emotional injury is riskiest, and be gentle. Soon, we may begin to breathe a little easier.

Need a personal consultation? Click here for the Summer Solstice client appreciation special - now through June 30.

Erin Reese is an author, spiritual guide, astrologer, and modern psychic reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world. For readings and spiritual counseling by Skype, phone or email, contact her directly. She can be reached at erin@erinreese.com.

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Summer Solstice 2016 ~ Client Appreciation Special

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Erin Reese is an author, spiritual guide, astrologer, and modern psychic reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world. For readings and spiritual counseling by Skype, phone or email, contact her directly. She can be reached at erin@erinreese.com.

Full Moon in Sagittarius: Shoot for the Moon

Building up now and exact tomorrow, we have a Full Moon in the fiery, mutable sign of Sagittarius, the adventurous archer. It’s a double-wallop lunation, as we just had a full moon in Sagittarius last month. Ruled by generous Jupiter, Sagittarius likes to do things in a big way, the ultimate opportunist who creates his own luck. Apparently we didn’t get the point in May, so let’s listen up a bit more closely!

 

What are some of the important things this fire sign is trying to teach us? Expand your reach. Keep the faith. Get back to your spirit roots. Reconnect with what fuels your inner fire. Shoot for the moon!

What keeps you going, motivated, alive? Where is your spark, your flame? Is there a spiritual or creative practice that revs you up? Do you need to hit the dance floor and boogie-woogie? How about a day immersed in your favorite books? Literature and non-fiction with a philosophical twists are sure to arouse at the Archer Moon, as Sagittarius values Big Mind and Big Ideas.

“Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss, you’ll land among the Stars.” ~ Les Brown

Projects that your heart is in will go smoothly now, but anything attempted to be forced will, quite simply, not work if it is pushed only through obligation. Ask yourself, are you inspired? If not, get back into your art form, your body, your soul, your sense of humor.

Sagittarius the Centaur is high-energy and needs to horse around! Enjoy your soccer-football-basketball playoffs! Watch a movie that makes you laugh, reconnects you with the love of life. Stop making yourself miserable by trying to do anything but that which goes straight to the heart.

Regarding romance? This Full Moon in Sagittarius can usher in a whole lotta love, the wild and woolly, free and frolicking. If there is no partner, no significant other, and no prospects on the horizon, that’s just fine with Sagittarius. The Archer knows that the greatest, most fulfilling lover is everywhere, all at once -- through you and around you. It is the affection of Spirit, the pure joy of being alive. A 100-proof, straight-up shot of Jupiterian joie de vivre.

The Moon in Sagittarius is trine Uranus in Aries, favoring impulsive, spontaneous celebrations. We will do best with flexibility and stretching ourselves to spend time with new people and foreign situations. Sagittarius loves the exotic, so mix it up! Fear not, have a courageous heart.

Venus in Cancer: June 17 to July 12

Hats off to you for all the work you’ve done over the last six months. Celebrate, and let your hair down. Fun in the Sun is just beginning, with the Summer Solstice kicking off this week. Feel-good Venus now in Cancer highlights comfort, time spent with loved ones in picnics, at pool parties and playing outside.

We need to connect with those we care about right now, whether family or friends. Venus in Cancer would be horribly lonely if isolated at the top of a mountain, so don’t try to Hermit-up too much. Indulge yourself in your Sagittarius spirited pleasures, and share your heart and smiles with others, too.

It’s also a good time to reach out to folks who might be lonely or depressed, tired or stressed; if you have even the slightest bit of extra energy, invite them over for a meal, go for a walk, spend a few hours at the beach. (Remember: as tempting as it is, Facebook, texts, and emails – while useful modes of planning and connection – do NOT count as quality time.) It’s time to stretch, to reach a bit further than you did before.

Yes, this is the second Full Moon in Sagittarius in less than a month – a rarity. It feels like the Cosmos is giving us another chance to go a bit further, shoot further and wider. As my basketball coaches used to tell me in high school, we miss 100% of the shots we never take.

You got nothin’ to lose, so expand that reach! For best results, bring in the love and affection of SPIRIT. Explore healthy hedonism. Trust your instincts, and fly high, freebird. We’ll see you soaring up there before the gorgeous Mama Moon.

Erin Reese is an author, spiritual guide, astrologer, and modern psychic reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world. For readings and spiritual counseling by Skype, phone or email, contact her directly. She can be reached at erin@erinreese.com.

New Moon in Gemini: Making Adjustments

photo credit: Do Your Yoga

Making Adjustments

Today we have a New Moon in the mutable air sign of Gemini, the Twins. Upon analyzing the chart of this lunation, I have one word for you, dear readers: ADJUST.

I sure hope you’ve been working on your flexibility, friends, because there is a mutable Grand Cross formed at this New Moon which will require us to change in significant ways. Whether you practice stretching yourself in a yoga class, through brain gym games, or by learning the arts of negotiation and accommodation, we will all benefit from making slight yet effective adjustments through our communication, mindset, and actions.

Grand Crosses can often create tension to the breaking point, but the good news here is that the flexible theme makes it easier to implement “all change.” This Grand Cross formed by planets in mutable signs is made by Saturn in Sagittarius, opposing the Sun, Moon and Venus all in Gemini. These planets are squaring Jupiter and the Moon’s North Node in Virgo, and Neptune in Pisces. All these hard angles smack of making life difficult for us mortals. But it doesn’t have to be so because we’re loose and adaptable. As the saying goes, we can’t adjust the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

 

photo credit: Ashley Strong

Focused Movement

Saturn in Sagittarius opposing the New Moon is the main force to be reckoned with at this time. The planet of discipline and responsibility is tempering our urge to grow and expand, to fly high in our philosophies and long-distance, exotic travels in mind and body. Some of us may feel restrained, tethered beyond our liking, in order to meet responsibilities and stay closer to home. We are being asked to put our Geminian floods of ideas and perceptions into practical form. This is, generally, a good thing. But, if we’re the type to hate restriction and limitation, we will whinny and snort and chomp at the bit.

Saturn is taming our impulsivity right now. If we willingly face this taskmaster, we can put creative, whimsical thoughts and notions into lasting projects. We are building. Remember, Saturn rules Capricorn, earth sign of tradition, aging, and wisdom. He is Father Time, and wants us to leave our legacy, our unique, lasting impact on the universe. In order to do this, we have to take the Long View.

How does this heavier Saturnian influence play out at a time when the light, quick, ‘easy come, easy go’ tone of mercurial Gemini insists on making itself useful right now? Again, we adjust. We find chunks of time to breath in between meeting our responsibilities. We may not be able to take a two-week vacation or a month off right now, because of important projects we’re starting or digging into. “But it’s summer!!” we wail. “I need time off!" Well, yes, and you can learn the art of taking a mini-break, that wonderful British term that encompasses the real feel of a short vacation, a weekend getaway, with the aim of refreshing and finding respite in and amongst a sea of responsibilities.

Your Inner Hammock

If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be, it would be so nice

I have also come to realize the value of setting up a hammock inside the Self. Imagine your Being relaxed and cradled in a sort of bassinet, the seat of the soul. Breathe deeply into it. This can be done anytime, anywhere, even while sitting in a stressful meeting, commuting in the car or train, waiting in line at the checkout. Imagine your self simply ‘hanging out,’ blissfully being inside a hammock, relaxed in consciousness.

If you really want to go for the inner hammock experience, add the bonus of conscious, deep breathing to go all out! Allow the breath to massage the nervous system. In yoga, the throaty “ocean breath” technique known as Ujjayi (Sanskrit for “Victorious”) gives the breath texture. This helps the prana massage the air passages, and allows the oxygen extra entry into the cells, nourishing our selves all the way down to the DNA. I use this Ujjayi technique all the time, even if I am not in a yoga class, to turn on the parasympathetic nervous system. When I'm really taking it in, it's intoxicating, in a good way. Conscious belly breathing is the ticket to true embodied happiness, providing an instant oasis in our demanding, modern lives.

At this New Moon time of air sign Gemini and beyond, let the breath be your elixir, a place to make slight yet effective micro-adjustments within the Self. Allowing you to take a holiday, hanging in your inner hammock – anywhere, anytime you need it.

Erin Reese is an author, spiritual guide, astrologer, and modern psychic reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world. For readings and spiritual counseling by Skype, phone or email, contact her directly. She can be reached at erin@erinreese.com.