Jupiter's reach can be touching

One day last week, I spent most of the day talking on the phone to relatives and friends in England. I do call occasionally, but talking to so many people is unusual for me. I decided to look at my transits for this particular day, and there it was "Transit Venus sextile natal Jupiter." In addition, transit Mercury was conjunct my natal Jupiter adding to the information flow.
As the largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter is symbolically related to expansiveness, optimism, generosity, a love of freedom, and new experiences. The energies of this planet allow you to grow through impositions and challenges. It also provides a relationship with the universe in the form of religion and philosophy, and it provides a sense of legal justice--whether manmade or natural. Jupiter is considered to be the most benefic of all the planets and finds its attachment in the sign of Sagittarius.
The freedom and new experience side of Jupiter’s energy aligns this planet with foreign matters, either travel or interaction with foreign people. All this may seem a little mundane, but it provides additional information that Astrology does work.
Talking so much on the phone overseas is great for me because I have an Internet based phone from Vonage and it does not cost any additional amount as I pay a fixed monthly fee that includes free calls to Europe.

Another Journal

I've decided to set up another journal to focus on technical subjects, and thereby keep this one more astrological and philosphical. I'll try to update each journal every other week. The new journal is called Efficiency Tech.

 

Columbus Day

There has been a lot of talk this week about Columbus Day, whether we should have a public holiday and celebrate it, or denounce Columbus for being a greedy, exploiting adventurer.
So, one wonders what probable reality would exist for the American Indians if Columbus never sailed to America or if the USA never gained independence in 1776. The 1833 Abolition of Slavery Act in England would certainly have saved some African natives from being shipped over and killed, and perhaps a number of native Americans would have survived.
I sometimes wonder why we celebrate Columbus Day when it was the Vikings who discovered America. The story of the Viking exploration is contained in sagas passed down from one generation to another. Modern archeological evidence has substantiated much of the saga.
Even though the British have a lot to do with what is now the USA, the one thing that the British tried to do was separate themselves from the natives--it was a snobbish thing that actually left many cultures intact, apart from spreading diseases. The Spanish however, slashed their way through South America leaving very little intact.
What is also not commonly known about the British and their empire is that it did not really set out to become one--it set out to trade. Along the way the French tried to rought the British at every port or country, so it ended up sending in troops and taking control.
Certain countries like America were exceptions because individual groups set out to separate themselves from oppression, but trade eventually took over.
There is one thing I do know, and that is I’d much prefer to live in America than Britain these days, the chaos that exists in the UK is alarming.

Wacky Conspiracy Theories

One wonders what backy most of the wacky conspiracy theorist’s are smoking to come up with what are so many unfounded perceptions of significant events that are essentially myths. I'd like to examine some of the astrology charts of these whining conspiracy theorists, as I'm sure one will find some consistent answers there.
People with wacky perceptions would most likely have Neptune stressed in their chart yielding a senseless imagination and social convention. As a lower octave of Neptune, Venus could be included into the mix as well. In addition, such loveless individuals prefer to spread hatred of certain mainstream members of society, particularly those on the far left and right.
I figure that someone with Neptune square Venus would epitomize a loathing of others they disagree with, using conspiracy theories to further their aims. It’s a shame because they are avoiding the karmic debt of learning how to love, express this love, and not expect love in return.
There are many sites listing wacky conspiracy theories, and a good counter to these is:
The 9/11 Conspiracy Theories

Saturn

Astrological Saturn is the second strongest planet in my natal chart.
In general, Saturn represents experience, tradition, examination of the new, the course of time, and everything that needs time, as well as patience. It is often called the planet of fate. Saturn concentrates everything, even until the bitter end, no matter what is finally left. Its energies symbolize the serious task and moving forward even under trouble and strife.
The most common force Saturn is known for is perhaps restriction. However, this often occurs due the natural law of cause and effect--which Saturn likes to manage. If it signifies obstacles and restriction, it is usually due to an individual having an incorrect personal goal or it is due to a karmic reaction which has been imposed. Saturn is the Lord of Karma (Karma can be positive or negative as a result of promoting or interfering with someone else's free will. It is also a debt to oneself, derived from actions that are aligned to cause and effect). Accordingly, Saturn's placement in your chart can indicate the areas in life that you need to work on.
As I have Saturn rising, meaning that it is close to the Ascendant and in the first house, together with a square to my Sun, I’ve experienced a lot of challenges in my life. However, the effect is somewhat softened by having the planet Jupiter conjunct (next to) the Sun. Still, one very obvious effect is the experience of significant rejection—I was even left alone for an hour at birth while my twin brother decided it was time.
The lesson that I’ve had to learn is that of self-love and self-esteem. For once I had gained a sufficient level of this, I no longer felt rejected. Perhaps one never perfects the lesson(s), but I feel I’ve come a long way.

The "Aphrodite" Syndrome

I wrote this brief article a number of years ago but never did anything with it, apart from sharing it with a few close friends.

Traditionally, Aphrodite refers to the mythical Goddess of Love and Beauty. In today's world, it is often referred to a personality type who possess an illusion of love and vanity. A few of these people can actually communicate (telepathically) one's thoughts to another—often stirring a sexual response in their admired individual. The person they commune with is either a highly intellectual person, or they possess some desired quality.

In reality, what drives such women so afflicted is not love or sex, but an element that has been denied to them in early life. The Aphrodite has generally learned that the only way to get attention is to flaunt certain feelings mentally, and sometimes physically, often not realizing the full impact of their telepathic thoughts, or actions. Tragically, they are misunderstood and often generate in others the Pygmalion illusion of a personal ideal.

The Aphrodite complex also manifests great secretiveness, or denial of their approach to relationships, making assistance difficult without careful understanding.

The reason I'm writing about this subject is that in my past I seem to have formed a connection with women who exhibit the Aphrodite persona. My fairly deep analytical nature and strong desire to understand certain dynamics of relationships together with an empathic sense perhaps prevented me from falling into the Pygmalion effect. The effects of this polarity are quite profound, in terms of telepathic communication, as well as internal and physical responses. I am enough of an empath to know when someone is sending me a message, particularly when certain Scorpio desires are manifested!

I subsequently decided to examine closely what common astrological characteristics were evident in such women to produce this scenario. Here then are some common threads I found with the Aphrodite archetype:

• A Sun/Jupiter aspect that involves a unique expression of the material and spiritual(so far this has been a semi-square (45°) or sesquidquadrate (135°)aspect.
• Moon sextile (60°) Mercury that provides the opportunity to communicate feelings and thoughts to another and to sense the deeper moods (interest) of others.
• Moon in Scorpio: creating a difficulty with any kind of intimacy, especially if it requires making a commitment. Much of this rooted in the past--childhood, heredity or family. Moon in Scorpio often reflects the frightened child or insecure person.
• A strong Libra/Venus/Neptune/Lilith configuration or placement that creates the Aphrodite desires and/or romantic ideals, illusions of love, and love of those much better or much worse off than themselves.

All of these women appear to have undergone some form of a physical molestation as a child (not necessarily sexual, but abuse). The idealism that is inherent in this archetype also makes for communication of awareness very difficult.

Pluto in the First

If the Pluto is within eight degrees of the Ascendant (as mine is), the characteristics of this planet will be significantly increased. In addition, any other planetary aspect will play an important influence (I have a grand trine to the MidHeaven and the Moon). A planet in the first house, close to the Ascendant, is referred to as a rising planet. If you have Pluto rising, your gaze and view of the world will be sharp and piercing. Pluto in this house of identity suggests that you may be rather obsessive with respect to your impact upon the world. There is a tendency to take things rather seriously and seek out your appropriate mission in life. It is during this search that the intense and dynamic energies of this planet reveal themselves in significant ways. Such ways may be a significant rejection of arbitrary authority or an acute yet deep understanding of life, one which is analytical, reserved, and sometimes critical.
While there are many more characteristic’s of this placement, I’m drawn to the significant rejection of arbitrary authority trait. This is because not only do I have this, but I remember that one of my favorite comedians has this also. John Cleese’s birthdate is October 27, 1939. His time of birth is generally listed as unknown, although some sites give a time. I’m inclined to think that he has Pluto rising as he has often stated his dislike of arbitrary authority. He has even devoted a lot of time making management training films because of this trait.
There are many video clips of John Cleese on YouTube.