posted February 01, 2010 07:29 AM         

I know, last week WAS pretty stinky energetically. We had mini-earthquakes in our charts as Saturn and Pluto joined in a closing square while Venus and the Sun fought with Mars. Plus the Full Moon in Leo brought up issues from August 2008’s eclipse on the New Moon in Leo and last April’s opening quarter moon so you very likely ran into a situation or person from your past to remind you about where you are now. The universe wanted us to psychologically process the events in our lives and “grow” from them with the energy flying around the heavens right now. As my friend Molly said, “I think I’ve done it and figured this OUT already! Why do I have to do it AGAIN?”

So how did you do? Maybe you didn’t “grow” but did you figure out some important stuff about what you don’t like or want in your life? Did you decide what you don’t want to “do” any more? Remember, part of the energy of last week was NEGATIVE ~ meaning through the NOT WANTING to do some thing you get clear on what you DO WANT to do in your future.

I think we had to “do it again” so we are CRYSTAL CLEAR about our future. Nothing like getting dragged into the muck and mire of difficult emotions to remind you how much you didn’t like it the last 40 or so times it happened! And it does serve to get you crystal clear on why you don’t much want to keep doing it over and over and over again. Of course, Mars IS retrograde so Mars LIKES for you to do it over and over and over again while he is going backwards ~ kind of a giant Cosmic Ground Hog day. Except Bill Murray is not around to kill the Ground Hog! That said, Saturn and Pluto and the Leo Moon joined to Mars in Leo made you SO OVER it!

And we have a segue ~ Happy Ground Hog Day! Joyous Candlemas! Bright Imbolc! We are officially half way through Winter in the Northern Hemisphere while our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are halfway through their Summer. February 2nd is when we reach the cross quarter day of Candlemas and find the Sun at 15 Aquarius ~ straddling the world axis. We are half way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox in the North.

The holiday of Candles is a festival of the hearth and home, a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring. Celebrations involve hearth fires, special foods, divination, watching for omens, a great deal of candles and perhaps an outdoor bonfire if the weather permits. In the Jewish tradition Candlemas was when Mary was freed from her 40 days of confinement mandated by the Torah after giving birth to a boy and when Christ was presented at the temple after her ritual bath to cleanse her from giving birth.

Imbolc is the day Cailleach the hag, gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over. In the United States, we watch to see if the Ground Hog sees his shadow to know if winter will continue for another 6 weeks or be over soon when he has no shadow.

Light lots of Candles to celebrate the cross over and cross quarter energy in your life. Welcome the new energy and life that wants to emerge. Light candles to help you see your own shadow so you don’t go back into the hole discouraged or back to your old ways of doing things that no longer work for you. Remember the brighter the light, the darker the shadow! Light those candles! Dispel the darkness for the time being. Gaze into the candles fire to see your future dancing in the flames!

Our week ahead is a nice neutral week offering the opportunity to get a lot done. You will also meet some one or think of something REALLY important Tuesday and Wednesday as the Mercury joins with the North Node by declination and conjunction. The mind WANTS to change its position this week ~ give your mind and yourself permission to explore other options that are open to you and your mind. Listen to other advisors. Try what they suggest. It may not be exactly what you want but the old way isn’t what you want either. So try it out. The beginning of any consciousness comes from considering other ideas.

Back when I danced in Ballroom Competitions, my dressmaker Emilio suggested he make me a black outfit. I replied “But I don’t look good in black! It makes me look washed out!” Emmy was never one to take no for an answer, especially when he was inspired. Well, he made me a completely stunning black dress, with a floating hankerchief skirt and a bolero jacket. The top of the dress was tightly fitted, WAY low cut and showed off my significant cleavage to great advantage. The addition of a subtle ruby choker necklace and drip earrings completed the look and tied into the rhinestone trim on the bolero jacket. Emmy said, “Anne, IF the neckline is low enough, no one will notice you look washed out by black! People pay $10,000 for a set like you have. Besides, exposing flesh can never be wrong!” I wore the black dress. I danced in it. And, I DID place FIRST in the Tango! The dress? The dancing? A combo of both? As Jimmie my dance teacher said “Your top was terrific ~ firm, solid and strong while your feet were neat and perfect!” By top he meant my shoulders ~ I think?!

Venus will be in a Hammer of Thor or Fist of God with Saturn and Pluto so she’s wanting you to transform and try something brand new and exciting. Bang away at those old structures, make them collapse, shift and change. Do the Tango!

So listen to advice you wouldn’t normally take. Try it out. See what happens. Venus is in the mood to say nope but if the nope comes out of habit, routine or the way you’ve always done it, say yes instead. TRY IT! Say yes. Especially towards the end of the week! Adjust your ways! Change your structures. Try something new! Mercury is whispering in your ear to try something new and to ask for what you want.

Moon’s Day finds the Moon in Virgo and sensitive even as she has a busy day ahead of her. Mercury is also very active making the Moon touchy feely and overly sensitive. Mercury is squabbling with Jupiter and Vesta so it makes it time to reorganize and redo things around the home or office. The old way isn’t working any more. Time for a change. Mercury is very precise when he is in Capricorn. He’s talking clearly about what he wants. Jupiter is opposite Vesta today pushing for a vision of reorganizing ~ Jupiter brings expansion, especially when he is in Pisces. Vesta brings organization especially when she is in Virgo. Bed Bath and Beyond will be busy, busy! Expand your vision. Expand your concept of how it can be done. Organize your stuff and life toward the new chapter you want to add or expand. Organize procedures, processes and support things to move you toward your vision for your own future. Take that idea that you normally wouldn’t do and try it. You might come in first in the Tango!

Mars’ Day ~ Tuesday finds Moon in Libra and today VENUS is busy. She’s arguing with Saturn about how to go about doing things and what works for her and doesn’t work for her. She’s arguing with Pluto about whether she wants to transform or not (She’s voting for NOT!). However, Venus is also the handle of a Hammer of Thor or Fist of God formed by her aspect to Saturn and Pluto in square to each other. At least try the new idea on! You might look simply FABULOUS in black! Mercury dives into the North Node by declination so pay particular attention to what you hear or see or who you meet today. Get business cards and contact information. Take numbers. Give numbers. Be bold. Ask for what you want. You may decide you look fabulous in black after all or perhaps your cleavage IS what did it. At any rate, if someone asks you to Tango today, go for it! Say yes! And TANGO! Sun joins with Mercury by declination so that Tango will take you places! Things begun today turn out to move you towards your dream but you may be a bit more grandiose than the reality will actually turn out.

Mercury’s Day ~Wednesday finds Venus still in charge of the Moon and still reverberating from her dance with Saturn and Pluto. Mercury joins the North Node of Destiny and moves you forward. Follow up with who ever you met yesterday. Forward. Pay attention to whoever contacts you today too. They are here to take you to your future too. It can also be some kind of message that finds its way to you. You find papers or connect with a clue that leads you places in the future. It’s a great day to get papers out the door and off into the world. Things begun today turn out to move you towards your dream but you may be a bit more grandiose than the reality will actually turn out.

Jupiter’s Day ~ Thursday finds Venus a little stressed. She hates being so irritated with Saturn and Pluto but she doesn’t want what they want. At that same time, what she wants isn’t here. What’s a gal to do? Plan for her future and live in the moment. Know that the current energy will change. Talk about her dreams. Read about her dreams. Gather information about what you/she want to do. Research things. Moon is void in the morning east coast time and enters Scorpio for a passion extravaganza right before noon. Moon later in the day is strong and powerful as it talks to Jupiter and Pluto. While last week was pushing on you to evolve, today is when it actually happens. Give yourself over to the dream of what you want. That connection is in your heart because it is SUPPOSED to happen. Jupiter supports Venus in her desire for more and he’ll chat up Saturn and Pluto over the next few days to help her get what she wants.

Venus’ Day ~ Friday finds Jupiter and Saturn arguing. They have to make an adjustment of a physical nature. This can be a health adjustment day as they are in a Virgo type inconjunct. Dreams can be disturbing and very active. Chase dreams where you don’t get what you want. Stress energies of needing to do something but not being able to get it done. You’ll be blocked or offered a choice to partner with something that you might or might not want. Choose toward your dream. Don’t choose the non-dream even if it looks good. Or choose the non-dream with the idea that you are outta there when Mars goes direct in early March. Mercury is paying attention. He’s talking to Neptune so there is the distinct possibility that what you are being offered is a lie and not going to last. It is the expedient choice, not what either side wants. If you are hungry, take it with the idea that you don’t have to eat it every day. If you can wait, wait for a better offer.

Saturn’s Day we are still working with a Scorpio Moon with icky closing aspects. Moon is void in the afternoon so cautiously continue forward if you absolutely must but it is better to avoid if you can. Once the Moon goes into Sagittarius at 7 pm EST, we all calm down and the world is much nicer. Again a rocking night of dreams but this time the messages are what you are supposed to figure out. Notice who you hear from or what they say. Mercury is in a connecting aspect with Uranus offering an exciting challenge, idea or change. Jupiter works with Pluto so they can help Venus get what she wants and what you want. Make sure to tell people what you want tonight and tomorrow. Magic is a foot. Venus wants to work with Uranus in a creative and fun manner. Mercury warmed Uranus up so he’s particularly interested in Venus’ story and desires. Mercury is coming from a place of feeling a bit wounded or unwanted but that too is okay. He is the messenger of the Gods. Some times he delivers messages that make him uncomfortable. Such is life. Today is such a day. If the news is bad, it will actually be okay down the road a bit. Remember Mars is still retrograde.

Sun’s Day finds Moon in glorious Sagittarius and happy to boot. Again with the dreams or the unusual communications that mean things on multiple layers. Pay attention to the embedded messages as well as the overt message. Therapists do this all the time. They notice what you say when you arrive. Then they watch how it unfolds. Then they see how the arrival telegraphs the underlying story and they make the connects. They listen for the embedded message in the story. So someone talks to you about not being able to commit, THEY are not feeling able to commit. Embedded messages are actually very cool once you start looking for them and decoding them. Mercury is bustling today with all sorts of messages and communications. Sun starts to form his Hammer of Thor with Saturn and Pluto which runs over the next few days as the universe helps you get clear on what YOU want for your ego and soul’s path and development. You might have to leave behind some of your old rules, your family’s rules, or your mom’s rules too. It is okay. You have your own rules that you want to follow. Give yourself permission to at least consider it! Venus understands her soul’s wound on a new level. If it isn’t kind don’t say it. The wound doesn’t need you pouring salt into it.

Mundane: China is mad at us again.

Last November, when we had part 1 of Saturn square Pluto, China spoke harshly to Barack Obama about our debt problem. As the largest creditor and major country holding our national debt, China took the approach of Mom or Dad having a talking to the young, irresponsible one, us in the USA, who ran up the credit card bill and can‘t afford to pay it. Now, on the SECOND square, China is mad at us for our Military’s decision to sell arms and military equipment to Taiwan. Not good!

As the cardinal cross approaches this June, you might consider making sure your assets are in conservative cash, gold, land, or other safe positions. Preserve your principle. We can anticipate a second financial collapse that is deeper and longer than the one averted in the fall of 2008. The financial markets swooned a bit on the second square of Pluto and Saturn this last week. When we add Uranus and Jupiter into that the early part of June in cardinal, fire and explosive Aries, watch out world! Additionally, Neptune is going to start to separate from Chiron in February allowing us to see how deeply wounded the American People are financially. As Jupiter continues to pull away from the Gang of Three, the optimistic “bubble” of their energy will pop like the dot coms did in 2000. Get your principle in safe things.

Reader Mail

Irene wrote: I'm an avid reader of yours who appreciates and has learned a great deal from your site - thank you. I was surprised today by the vehemence with which you 'went after' a reader (I think her name was Zenaida) --particularly after writing at length about not criticizing the porkchops, etc.

We've had a disagreement or two via email in the past, and to be honest, your response to Zenaida was somewhat of a revelation to me, in that the aggression in it (do you think it's possible it might even have contained a tinge of nastiness?) far 'outweighed' her critique of your column. It does make me curious about how you handle criticism more generally, and it made me hope that it's something you're open to exploring. You offer so much to so many people, and your response to Zenaida, which struck me as somewhat petty and at times downright mean, was -- well --unbecoming. I wish I could write to her directly to say that it's obvious her concern for the Haitian people is genuine.

And thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

Anne answers: Ah the evolving psychological wisdom of the closing Saturn Pluto square! Instead of arguing with Irene, I decided to simply post Irene’s email so she could let Zenaida know her feelings.

Zenaida, if I offended you with my response, I certainly did not intend to. If I did offend you, please accept my most sincere apology. Tonal quality is not available in blog posts. My response apparently sounded much nicer in my head than it read to Irene who thought I was aggressive, nasty, petty, down right mean, unbecoming and vehement in my response. Whew! I CAN DO BETTER! We Virgo gals always look to improve!

As the purpose of my column is to 1) teach astrology, 2) help people figure out how to use the energy flying around in the heavens and 3) generate astrology readings for my practice, I certainly did not intend to “go after” a reader. That would be rather counter productive on my part.

And to another reader ears, my response seemed fine. Go figure.

Cathy wrote: Dear Anne,

Today I was finishing reading your Ephemeris one day late, and I noticed the Reader Email .

Since I did not agree with her point of view, I asked myself why I have never written.

Many of the emails I have seen are questions for you or objections to what you have said.

I do not recall a bona fide complimentary one, so I would like to offer mine.

I read your column every week, as do many I know.

I read it, I answer the questions you pose, in writing or in my thoughts, I often buy or reference the books you suggest, or other experts you quote.

I use it to improve my knowledge of the vast and ancient subject of astrology, to improve my life, to enlighten my thinking, to answer questions puzzling me.

I do this because your Ephemeris is the product of a vastly learned and experienced woman and astrologer.

I do this because reading you is like listening to a Sunday sermon.

A minister preaches to enlighten his/her congregation about the meanings of God’s Word, theology, and the Christian life.

In doing so, he or she may tell stories, reference books, quote politics, but the sermon always ends with an exhortation to take the ancient and spiritual truths and make yourself and your world better.

You do the same thing, using astrology as your ‘source’.

You did not invent astrology, you studied it, are credentialed in it, practice it, and teach it.

You are a certified expert, period.

I occasionally read the writings of other astrologers.

Some are pithy, some are trendy, some are bon mots for those who want a five minute astro fix.

You are not in the same business as they are.

Your columns are meant to teach, enlighten, guide, help, heal.

But, they do much more!

They are entertaining, erudite, fun and provocative.

You use your own experiences, those of others, literature, music, poetry, scripture, and stories to ‘Teach” the astrological points you are making.

You are not blogging Anne Ortelee’s personal POV.

You are not the Atlantic Monthly, People magazine, or an OP Ed commentator.

You are an astrologer, who answers to no Board of Directiors or Deacons, Editorial Board or subscription readership.

You offer your service free of charge, and an extremely generous service it is.

Like most Senior Professionals, you are in it as a Calling, and for the Love of the Game.

Of course, no one writes with an entirely transparent point of view.

You are obviously not a Sarah Palin Republican.

You don’t approve of the larceny on Wall Street.

But those opinions are a very small part of your weekly work, and they never stray from your teaching points about what the Astrological Lessons of the week are there to teach us.

The writer today complained you were less than concerned with world events by featuring Conan/ Leno and not Haiti in your last weeks column.

I couldn’t agree less.

You used, as always, the Conan/Leno battle as an allegory for your teaching points.

You put Haiti in an entirely different level, which, of course, it is.

In your answer to your reader you explained your personal bias over the voyeurism of the News Media in regard to Haiti.

You have every right to talk about what you wish.

As I said, it is YOUR COLUMN, you are NOT People Magazine or CNN and your objective is not the same.

I thank your for your wisdom and your generosity in sharing it with the world.

Anne answers: Ah shucks. Thanks Cathy! I must say I am blushing! And there, I did it, I posted a bona fide complimentary letter! Saturn Pluto square evolving again! I hadn’t noticed I only posted the critical emails. We Virgo gals do focus on the criticism! Forward to another Ground Hog Day!