Mars is called the Great Activator and Catalyst. When Mars comes along, it can be as a sudden burst of energy appeared out of nowhere. Here is what my thesaurus says for catalyst: stimulus, stimulation, spark, sparkplug, spur, incitement, impetus.

Here are some things you might notice for a few days:

• An activation of energies as something pulls you in and gets your attention.
• Sparks may fly around you. This could be thrilling and interesting or unsettling.
• A project needs to move forward-like now!
• In fact, forward motion is a key to taping into this energy. It’s time!
• You may feel anxious, as though something is going to happen but you don’t know what.
• Your energy may soar.
• This is a great aspect for sparking inertia or stagnation of any kind.
• Do try not to get impatient or reactive. Steady does it!
• Take note of what area of your life is pulling you forward into your life.

It is important to pay attention to anything that carries these vibrations as they may have at a deeper source the energies seeded by the Eclipse this Summer. Thus it’s impact on your life may be more significant than a first glance suggest.

This may be just the spark you need to get going. Take advantage of the fiery nature available now and you may be amazed at what could come of it and how far you can go with it in the next few weeks.

In Light,

~Elizabeth

This Mercury retrograde is in Virgo, the perfect sign for getting those ducks in a row. The focus is on details, de-cluttering, ticking items off you to-do list and generally getting things more orderly and hence, manageable. You can read more about what to do and (try) not to do and how to best use the energies now here. Lots of other new info on AstroCurrents as well.

Astro Currents: I have just created a new esay-to-use format for Astro Currents, giving you all the latest astro-info for the next couple weeks.

Where Are The Planets Now? (WATPN): Here is an informative, concise guide as to where the planets are now, and their influence.

Be sure to check them out!

~Elizabeth

Uranus on its side

Uranus has just re-entered Pisces until 3/11/11. As I was considering what this final passage of Uranus in Pisces may bring (once it leaves in March, ‘11, it won’ t return until 2087!), an interesting thought came to me: could Uranus here for the next few months, at these last degrees of Pisces, open portals to other times, realms or dimensions? Could this perhaps bring to us gifts that were developed in a past life? Could some treasure that is ours, but lay hidden or dormant, come forward during this time? What could this even mean? Stay with me here…

We all learn various things in each lifetime. (As I understand it, that is the point.) We learn qualities, usually through lessons, that our Soul sets up for us, in each incarnation, at least that is the intention. As we do, we grow and evolve. How all this occurs is a mystery, yet it is true that we are all much more than we know…or remember. We each have abilities and gifts, and amazing qualities as well, that we don’t access.

While we do not necessarily have these readily available in this life, they are still deep within us, and I feel that there are times we can access those qualities. Or, they may suddenly appear at just the right time, even surprising ourselves!

Astrologically, this would be one of those times.

A portal may open during this time, just enough so that some aspect(s) of your true self can enter into your consciousness and thus, into your life. A trigger could be anything…a dream, a song, a photo, an unexpected experience…and may come out of the clear blue.

Another way of thinking of this is that perhaps our deepest memories are more available to us now, as Uranus can spark things at this level and with profound results. Remember, Uranus is called The Great Awakener. And one of the things it can awaken within you is some aspect of your own natural gifts and abilities.

It may be that this ability has been laying dormant, waiting to come to the surface at just the right time. Or it may be that while you have been aware of a talent, you haven’t really used it much. An example might be that even though you are good at public speaking, you’ve never really done much of it. And now, during this time, you will be called upon to do just this, and find you do it well!

Or perhaps you have always wanted to do something professionally but the pieces just hadn’t fallen into place. You may even have felt you have a purpose or a calling, but again, the timing to bring that forward just hasn’t happened…yet.

During the next few months, it may be just such a time. Look for opportunities that are unusual and not “the norm”. You may notice that some new aspect of your own “personality” is coming forth, such as a greater sense of peace or optimism or perhaps your desire to love unconditionally is growing. An idea to bring this forward is to consider what one or two qualities you have always wanted to possess. And then “act as if” you do have that quality already. It may show itself easier than you could have ever thought during this quite magical time.

Something alchemical could take place in your life that may be a result of just your reaching to claim it, that which is yours by Divine right.

We all have unlimited potential and unused talents. I feel that while the unlimited potential represents where we are heading, the unused talents may well be a result of what we have learned and where we have been on our journey before. What an amazing thought.

While Uranus is here, at this most spiritual and mystical few degrees of the Zodiac, look for your own potential and genius and offering. It will feel different, perhaps, but also natural. It will quicken your heart and excite your mind. And it may also terrify you. What wakes us up to a greater version of ourselves often does. But you have nothing to loose but whatever is holding you back from your life and becoming more of who you are.

There are gifts waiting you. These are things you have earned already…it is now about opening to them, and opening them, and then claiming what is yours.

Many blessings to you,

~Elizabeth

And I might say it this way: It takes courage to grow and become who you really are.

. . . . . .

The Leo New Moon is tonight, the 9th, at 8:08 pm PDT and it is, in essence, an invitation to ourselves. It empathizes how you go about expressing your unique gifts, talents and offerings. Are you confident and self assured? Do you trust yourself to even know how to do this? The Leo spark available to all now can help you to find the courage and enthusiasm to act with boldness, planting seeds in the direction you want your life to be going. This dynamic energy is an expression of your own connection to Source.

The challenge and the question now is this:

Are you willing to change what must be changed in order to create the space and time
in your life to be an expression of your own true Divine self?
What if you were told it is really your only task?
What if it was the only thing on your “to-do” list?

What might that look like? What would it feel like?

“Is this the real deal?” you might wonder as you are feeling and thinking about just where to place your intention and focus now. Well, a key is that “it” will warm the heart and get you enthused. This is the gift of this Leo New Moon. To help you to identify your “real deal”.

. . . . . .

Some ideas as to how to best use these dynamic energies are:

• Plant seeds and initiate plans for ways to express who you truly are. Spiritual growth that emphasizes self-expression and expansion of your essential nature is strong under this time of Leo.
• During this cycle, until the next New Moon on 9/8, what you declare now will grow and gain strength if you persevere and have courage.
• Follow your passions~the world awaits your offering and your passions will lead you to them!
• Generosity of spirit is a Leo quality and the gateway to blessings. Express gratitude!
• Be courageous and fearless.
• Focus on those activities that bring you happiness and joy.
• Be sure to make time to have some fun during this playful energy. Joy is near by!

8/7-8 “Clarity of Focus” The impact of the Cardinal Cross is very strong now. If you are really feeling the energies, I suggest re-reading some posts at my site. For now, a quote for you to consider: “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” [Star Wars] And so, pay careful attention to where your focus is during this time where things can manifest out of the ethers and in a flash. Keep in mind: is this want I want to create?

8/3 “Overwhelm” This was the word a couple weeks ago, and here it is again. Jupiter is making the 2nd of 3 squares now to Pluto within a few months. Under this aspect things can expand, and fast. This expansion is getting a real push from Mars this week. Mars is a catalyst…an activator, and so this will be a time of things happening quickly. It is important to stay grounded through these energies, or else you could easily get overwhelmed.

Perhaps you are sensing and seeing that things are ready to really change in some area of your life…if so, this is likely happening at a fast pace and perhaps in even more than one way. (If you are experiencing these things, it is most likely impacting your chart directly.) Try not to blow things out of proportion, but rather use this energy to expand what is positive in your life. A key is to use good judgment in your decisions and actions. And to believe that what is changing, even if something is being left behind, is for your highest good.

I am hearing more and more about how many are feeling

And for sure, the Cosmos is playing its hands, bringing all this right before us and laying it all out on the table.

But what is happening beneath the surface of all this perhaps chaotic energy?

The four Cardinal signs, where so much is happening now, rule the most basic areas of our life. Those that we rely and count on and that essentially constitute our foundations. It is from these areas that all other aspects of our life are supported, such as creativity, friends, our spiritual journey, finances and others. And with so much activity occurring in these signs, many will be feeling change, even chaos, in their lives at these fundamental levels.

Yet beneath the chaos, there is purpose and order to all this. These powerful energies are wanting you to become more aware of how the patterns of your life, those that we often take for granted, actually determine who you are and how you live.

When celestial events as potent as these come along (which is extremely rare) they stir up the bottom of the pond, the place where we stand, and as a result we experience and see where we do actually stand in our life as it is now right before us. And yes, it can produce feelings of turmoil and anxiousness.

To the degree you have become complacent, accepting certain circumstances of your life even if they are not supporting your feeling alive is the degree these influences will be felt in challenging ways. But inherent in this very process is the wake-up call you have perhaps been needing to not only hear, but heed, to compel and inspire you to change.

. . . . .

Let’s take a closer look at what area of life each of the Cardinal signs rules.
As you read this over, which area lights up for you? Where are you experiencing the most challenges or turmoil? Where are you starting to really get that change simply must occur there?  Where do you see that you are ready to feel more vital and alive? Are you experiencing a “rude awakening” in some specific area? Then most likely that area of your chart is getting the strongest hit from the astrological influences occurring now. Keep in mind that everyone has these four signs in theri natal chart and this means they are each influencing some area of your life.

I.    The first sign of the Cardinal cross is Aries, which is where both Jupiter and Uranus are. It rules:

• Your basic vitality, constitution and health.
• Your sense of self and basic instincts.
• How you stand up for yourself and who you are.
• The ways you feel unique; your sense of  individuality.
• How your world views you and also your willingness to be seen.

If you are experiencing shifts in any of these areas, here are some questions to ask and things to consider:

• Do you feel you are seen for who you are? Are you even willing to be seen?
• Do you assert yourself in positive, effective ways?
• Do you trust your instincts?
• Do you take action when needed or do you hold back, even if you know you shouldn’t?

. . . . .

II.    The second sign of the Cardinal cross is Cancer, which is where the Solar Eclipse just occurred and where the Moon will be August 6-8, which will further activate these areas in your life. It rules:

• Home, family, your childhood and early influences.
• Your relationship to your mother.
• Where you feel you belong and your deepest longings for home.
• Your children, parents and lineage.
• Your spiritual genetics and the generational patterns that influence you now.
• Your capacity for nurturing and to be nurtured.

If you are experiencing shifts in any of these areas, here are some questions to ask and things to consider:

• Is your home life supportive and nurturing?
• Do you have good relations with your mother? Children?
• Do you feel you belong?
• Do you feel you are clearing issues for your lineage?
• Are you honoring the gifts of your lineage?

. . . . .

III.    The third sign of the Cardinal cross is Libra, which is the sign that Saturn and Mars are in. Venus will be joining them in Libra late on August 6th. It rules:

• Marriage (and divorce) and close relationships and partnerships.
• Your capacity for personal relationships.
• Cooperation and compromise; seeing both sides of an issue.
• Your ability to live in and maintain balance in your life.
• How you go about making choices and decisions.
• What opposes you; open enemies and law suits.
• Relationship patterns, challenges and lessons.

If you are experiencing shifts in any of these areas, here are some questions to ask and things to consider:

• Is the relationship arena of your life healthy? This includes any primary or one-on-one relationship.
• Do you feel supported by your personal relationships?
• Do you have relationship issues on an on-going basis?
• Are you able to compromise and cooperate?
• Is it easy and natural for you to receive love and support? To give it?
• Do you seek relationships because you don’t like being alone?
• Are you indecisive and have difficulty making decisions?

. . . . .

IV.    The fourth sign of the Cardinal cross is Capricorn, which is where Pluto is, and will be for a long time. It rules:

• Career, profession and work.
• Your presence and reputation out in the world.
• Your relationship to your father as well as those who have authority over you in some way, including bosses, managers, etc.
• What you contribute to the world.
• You ability to manage your life in ways that provide you both short and long-term security.
• Your plans and goals.

If you are experiencing shifts in any of these areas, here are some questions to ask and things to consider:

• Do you have a sense of purpose and overall life direction?
• Do you know where you are going in life?
• Do you have goals that are tangible and realistic?
• Is authority an issue for you?
• Are you disciplined? Focused?
• Do you take personal responsibility? Perhaps too much so? Do you delegate when needed?

. . . . .

In essence the bottom line is this: The tensions that these astrological events are creating is stirring up some basic area(s) of our life. And if you are resisting the changes and challenges being presented now, you will very likely be feeling anxious, depressed, chaotic, frustrated, bewildered, confused, etc.

My suggestion is to look beneath all that and see what your life is trying to tell you. Where is it wanting to become more vibrant and dynamic and interesting? Keep in mind that this is all being orchestrated by Divine Design. You are, indeed, being called to wake-up. And an important aspect of these energies is to see where you are stuck…where you are holding on to old patterns and ways of being. And to see and open to where it is you are ready to grow and evolve. And yes, this will likely require taking some risks and making what will feel like dramatic changes. But hey, if you keep on doing what you’ve been doing you’ll keep on getting what you’ve been getting.

What an exciting and thrilling time this is. Allow yourself to be inspired and ignited by these energies. They are a call for you to become more of who you truly are. That call is from your own higher self, by the way, which did consent to this. How are you answering?

Sending you many blessings of Light,

~Elizabeth

Kandinsky

Well, here we are! At the much-anticipated and written about time~the peak of the Cardinal sign influence. And indeed, the energy is intense…almost palatable, but amazing, too. First and foremost, I want to suggest that you pay careful attention to your environment. Now is a time to stay clear, focused and awake. Slow down, avoid being careless or reckless and try not to be reactive. There is a lot of energy flying around…don’t get caught off guard. (That’s my Mom speech…)

Next, let’s talk about timing. The most intense time of influence for this will be now through until the 2nd week or so of August. That said, it is not “over” yet, as there are two more major aspects occurring towards the end of the month. They are: Jupiter opposing Saturn on the 16th and Saturn making it’s final square to Pluto on the 21st. More on those two later…but I will add that there are other days throughout the month of August that are involved in, thus activating, these energies as well. Such as when the Moon is in a Cardinal sign and when Mercury turns retrograde on the 20th just to name a couple.

Ok, back to now and next few days. Mars entered Libra on Thursday, the 29th and being a catalyst for change, I expect things will heat up. Mars energy thrives on motion. It wants things to move forward…to get on with it…no more hesitation. When Mars says “Now” it means NOW. Hence, what has been perhaps kept at bay will likely shift. This could be that areas of your life that have been ready to take a new direction will do so under this influence.

But there is more. Lots more. When Mars entered Libra (one of the four Cardinal signs), you could say it activated the much larger pattern involving Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter and Pluto. It brings these deeply transformative energies before us, in ways hard to ignore. Perhaps you have noticed an escalating in frequencies recently? If you have, it is likely that your own chart is being directly hit by all this. Or it may also be that you are just very sensitive to the energies around you.

. . . . .

There are various ways this may all be impacting you as it is greatly dependent upon what it is doing to your own chart, and what things you are facing, but here are some things to consider and to look for:

• Patterns are being broken.
  New ways are being presented. Tensions are rising, seeking release. The scales may be tipping during this time. Rather than try to keep things in balance I say let them tumble, at least a bit. “Breakdowns for breakthroughs” might be one way to think of things now.
• Past decisions come home to roost.
  Meaning the scales are seeking balance by showing you how your past actions are impacting your present. This may be a good thing or not. Flow with this as things equalize out. But do pay attention as to just where you are feeling and noticing around this.
• What is for your highest good is most likely right before you.
  Presented before you may be challenges as to where you seek growth and expansion and where you want things to really just remain the same. Yet within these challenges is your Path. Just keep looking. You will find it.
• Look at where you are saying YES and where you are saying NO.
  If your YESes are in alignment with expansion that supports your awakening and evolution then great. And if your NOes are keeping you from going forward, then it’s good to ask~why? Why are you resisting this?
• Dealing with conflicts?
  Inner, or outer, conflicts can become the fodder for dynamic interactions that result in solutions and new directions. Perhaps even some you have been seeking for a long time. Think of it as some area or areas that have been out of balance in your life is now seeking to come into balance–but it will require a major change in order for that to happen.
• Do something different.
  New cycles can only emerge if you take some form of action. If you want things to be different than they are, you must do something different to make that happen.
• Follow the Cosmic bread crumbs.
  These are thrilling, dynamic, exciting times. Look for where clues and indications of where you are to go next and what you are meant to do. They are everywhere now. Trust that you being guided to just where you are supposed to be going!
• Think of it this way: A genuine desire for growth and expansion that is in alignment with your growth and evolution can only succeed now. But it will require change.

Divine order is wanting to be restored in some way in all our lives.
~ ~ ~
But first, it must be known where we are out of sync with it,
and that is one of the primary impacts of this time we are now in–to see how we are out of balance.

Many blessings of Light to you during this most dynamic of times,

~Elizabeth