Astrologer Bill Attride

Mercury Stationary Direct (December 30, 2010)

Today our minds are focused, intense and alert. We can sense a change in the energies around us. Something has shifted and the lines of communication are clearing now.

It is time to move forward with a new understanding that we developed during the past three weeks. We were more introspective and contemplative and that allowed us to reexamine, question and improve our thinking.

At the same time, we needed to be more mindful so as to not misunderstand another or them us. That was because everyone was not as attentive outwardly. Misunderstandings, delays and frustrations might have been the result. But now that phase ends as Mercury moves forward.  

Mercury retrograde created an opportunity to stop, go back and repair your way of thinking. Now you can think and speak with more assurance that we will understand one another.

Mars Square Saturn (December 29, 2010)

Okay, okay I know, it hurts...but you just need to be patient and this too shall pass. Do not force things or ignore the limits now, you'll only make things worse. Impatience is in the air and anger is rising, and if we are not careful there is an "accident" waiting to happen.

If you hold the tension in, you might injure yourself; and, if you just let it out on another, you will harm someone who probably had little to do with the situation. You cannot "hold in", you cannot "act out"...what do you do? Remember, there is always a "third way", the path of understanding, which leads you out of your pain and into a newer, more integrated reality.

The pain you are feeling is merely a less than gentle reminder that not all things go as planned. Sometimes we face delays or resistance in order to stop, take a look and see why our way is "blocked". We need to examine if either where we are going is where we should go, or if we are getting there in the right way. So, life/reality/Saturn comes along and says, "Is that what you really want? Are you sure you can get there this way?"

At the end of July, we began a new cycle of Mars and Saturn. It was then that we started to take up a path of action to bring about some new aspect in our life/reality. Now, we face a choice that has been created by the limits formed by the very nature of our Saturn reality.

We always act within the limits imposed by Saturn. Though we have poured our self into a form in order to be something, at some point that vehicle, that form, that reality, is exactly what we must move beyond in order to keep moving in the first place. What once fulfilled us now has become a major obstacle to our greater fulfillment. But what is the nature of this challenge now?

The problem is that we are in our reality, which seems to be a given, something that is fixed for us. Somehow, we must move beyond the old form while we are still within it. In order to transform and transcend, we need to creatively combine Mars and Saturn, we need to choose the path of integration.

Mars in Capricorn wants to act with reference to and reverence for authority and power. If you have title, if you have the power, then use it. It is your duty to act authoritatively; it is your right to exercise power and control. You have the power, use it.

Saturn in Libra is "challenging" Mars to remember that the basis for authority and the exercise of power is legitimacy. Libra is about justice, and Saturn in Libra is about the rule of law. (That is why, in the chart of the USA, Saturn is in Libra at the very top of the chart. The principle embodied in our constitution is that the USA is a nation ruled by law, that no one is above the law and all are equal (Libra) before the law.)

Saturn is reminding Mars that the power exercised by any authority flows from the agreement, that is, it comes from and through the consent of the governed. The power we wield comes through us, and we must honor and serve the true source of that power. That means within any organization, local or national, political or private, we must always be sure that we are serving the needs of that group and not merely our own.

So, the question about power and authority before each of us now is "who or what do you serve"? Ultimately, of course, this is a spiritual matter, because any and all power is ultimately derived from the fact that we are all sparks of the divine, we are all one in Spirit.

The truer question then is do you understand that you are part of a glorious company of fellow beings who are all connected to one another in the greater life of Spirit? If so, then you will act in accordance with that and your power will be exercised with wisdom and justice.

The gifts of Spirit are many, but one of the most prized is patience. We need to be patient as we consider what is at the source of our anger or delay now. We will find that what we face is of our own making, we made this reality, this situation. So, we can change it too.

Step back from your anger and frustration; ask for help, and Spirit will answer. You will find that you are never alone; and the answer is that your journey and destiny has and will always be in your own hands.

The good news is that by acknowledging and acting with this understanding you can change your reality for the better. You do not need to fight, or retreat, you just need to choose to understand. 

Sun Conjunct Pluto (December 26, 2010)

Today is a day for deep self-reexamination. With the Sun ruling the self and Pluto ruling the deeper processes of our psycho-spiritual nature, you can use this day to probe more deeply into the roots of your being. Most importantly, you will be able to establish a new understanding about the nature of your most precious gift, your free will.

Back in September you faced a choice about the proper exercise of your willpower. Now, at the conjunction (like a new Moon), you are at the beginning of a new cycle in the relationship of the self and your will. What you need to remember is that one of the most wonderful gifts of being human is the quality we call "free will".

The primary limitation to your exercise and experience of free will is knowledge. The more ignorant you are about your self or the world around you, to that same degree your life will happen to you, your life will be "fated". Conversely, the more you know of yourself and the world around you, the more you can understand and exercise free will in your life. This has always been one of the most meaningful ways to measure spiritual development, that is, are you a more fatalistic spirit or free spirit. The power to choose, and to choose wisely, is our most precious spiritual accomplishment.

This re-alignment of the self with the will requires that you explore the deepest recesses of your nature; what is at the core of what makes you special, different, yet part of a great story of spiritual evolution. Your life now is merely the latest in a series of lives. You stand upon this core of evolved spiritual progress. Take time now to look within and acknowledge the gift of your special self to yourself.

The Pluto/Sun conjunction is an opportunity to establish a new relationship of the self to the self. You should take this time to connect more deeply with your will, the power of right choice, which is one of the three true sources of your spiritual progress. The three aspects of Spirit, which are Intelligence, Love and Will, have combined together to bring about our universe.

Likewise, within your own life, they continue to help you on your journey from unself-conscious sparks of the divine towards your glorious destiny as a fully conscious divine being. So, at this time, take another step along the path to fulfillment, towards self-realization, to your destiny which is to be a star among the stars. So be it.

The Solstice of Capricorn & The Full Moon of Sagittarius (December 21, 2010)

The Solstice...The Sun Stands Still. What does that mean? How is that possible?

As we circle around the Sun each year, we experience four major turning points in our journey. These four points mark the beginning of our seasons, and for Astrology mark the beginning of the Cardinal Signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

Two of those points, the equinoxes of Spring and Fall, mark the time each year that the tilt of the Earth is such that we have days and nights of equal length. The equinoxes are a time of balance, with equal time between day and night.

The solstices mark the opposite "corners" of our circle wherein the difference between day and night are at their greatest. At the summer solstice on June 21 we have the longest day and shortest night, the Sun is at its maximum. Now as Winter begins, we are in the darkest of times, the days are short, the nights are long, the Sun is at its minimum. But why do we say the Sun is standing still?

The fact is that for many months the Sun has been setting further and further South on the horizon. Today it reaches the furthest point South that it will go. Now, for several days it will set, again and again, at apparently the same point on the horizon till....on the 3rd or 4th day, on December 25th, we will be able to see that the Sun is returning, moving back North. The light of our home is coming back, the world will not go dark, our hope is renewed, our faith is restored.

But this solstice is special; it is coinciding with the Full Moon of Sagittarius, when the Sun is in Sagittarius and the Moon is in Gemini. And this Full Moon happens to be an Eclipse. A Lunar Eclipse is when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned with one another so we see Earth's shadow pass across the Moon.

What this demonstrates, so vividly and visually, is how we are indeed part of a system of bodies that are in an intricate, beautiful relationship with one another. These great orbs cycle round one another, and that they, and we, are part of a greater organism we call our universe. In other words, what is shown to us now is that we are part of a great company, a magnificent host, wheeling through the cosmos. What we should experience and marvel at now is our connectedness to this dance of the planets.

At each Full Moon we experience another revelation about the relationship between the past (Moon), present (Earth) and future (Sun). At the Lunar eclipse, with the Sun representing pure potential or the Future, and the Moon representing karma or our Past, the Earth (our Present) is coming between our past and future. That means our present reality is hiding or obscuring the past.

We often feel burdened by our past, so we might feel relieved to be seemingly freed from it. This is certainly true for a great many of our experiences. But it is also true that our spiritual progress has been most delayed by our capacity to forget or ignore the past, so that we must learn our lessons over and over again.

We should use this eclipse to let go of those parts of our past that are a burden to us, to cast them out as we take out the sword of severance and free ourselves from our doubts and fears. But we must also honor what has come before, what our forebears struggled to create, so that we preserve what is good and true in our journey so far.

In ancient times, many feared eclipses because it truly seemed as if "the light was going out", and they believed terrible events were to be expected. But wiser ones knew, as we should now, that we should celebrate this alignment as a gift from above. The shadow falling across the Moon tonight confirms of our connectedness with the universe and with one another. We are not nor will we be ever alone because we are part of something magical and wondrous. So go out tonight and experience the mystery, majesty, and beauty of being part of the universe, your home in the stars.

Mercury Square Uranus (December 20, 2010)

Are you impatient today, or is it just "her", or "him, or "them"? Well, of course, it is all of us. So, be mindful of what you say (and do). Do not let your mouth race ahead of your better judgment. Do not over-react to someone else's fact/opinion, nor be so quick to defend your own.

Just three weeks ago we experienced this same aspect as Mercury was moving forward. Now, while it is retrograding, we are given a chance to go back and make amends, to fix what was broken, to grow beyond the old and familiar, yet limiting, habits of thinking.

Yes, we are being challenged now to grow beyond our mental fixations. We need to take a fresh look and think "outside the box", to think creatively. What we need to do now is demonstrate that we are intelligent.

When we are able to look at an issue or problem from more than one perspective, to move beyond this or that, or black and white, then we will perceive a much more meaningful, rich and complex world. Before there was just one thing or the other and we became stuck. We dug in our heels and refused to listen; or we gave up, gave in and let the other have their way.

But, when you open up your mind to another way, to an untried point of view, and you make the space for it, then spirit enters in and shows you a way out of your dilemma. You can then challenge and change your assumptions, step into a new reality, and celebrate the joy of a higher consciousness. This is the promise and challenge of Mercury and Uranus. Free your mind, free yourself.

Mercury Conjunct Sun (December 19, 2010)

Can you hear it? There is an answer to your question being offered up now. We are at the half-way point in the Mercury retrograde cycle, the moment when Mercury is exactly aligned between the Earth and the Sun. It is like a "new Moon" for Mercury, and is the moment when this introspective cycle yields up an answer.

For ten days, we have been directed back inwards to seek for a greater understanding. Now comes a moment of truth. What should we expect, what should we do?

The retrograde cycle of Mercury creates an opportunity for self re-examination and reflection. We need to take time apart from the day to day distractions and delve deeper into our assumptions, viewpoints and attitudes. We need to challenge the "prism" through which we look out upon this world and see it as if with new eyes.

Take time this afternoon or evening to listen to your own higher self...wherein are found all the answers about yourself and the world around you.

You are an answer to a cosmic question; you were born to take part in this great journey of spirit, life, consciousness. Always remember, the first injunction in that spiritual growth has and will always be, "to know thyself".

Sun Sextile Neptune & Sun Square Uranus (December 18, 2010)

Early today, your dreams come true if you apply yourself. Imagination is the true source of our future, but we have to make it so by working it into reality. So, be inspired by your dreams today; then follow through on that vision with a performance that rings as truly yours.

Later today, we are challenged by Uranus, which makes us feel as if our specialness or freedom is being frustrated now. The square is reminding us that we need to make a choice as to how we should express our individuality and experience our freedom. We and others will be more abrupt or irritable now, and that is because we are all feeling a loss of freedom or a lack of appreciation.

In September, as we began the fall season, we were shown something about the relationship between our need to be appreciated and our need to be true to our self. That revelation showed us something about how we need to find a balance between our seeking for approval versus going our own way despite what others may think.

Now we need to make a choice. Perhaps we need to let go of an old way of being "original" or different and find one that is more appropriate for who we are now. Or, maybe we have been so concerned about the respect of others, that we are in danger of being appreciated, and yet it is not truly us who they appreciate!

Make a choice now to grow. Do that by creating a greater space of freedom that you can enjoy with one another. And in that space, show the respect to one another that demonstrates that you truly understand, "I am that, I am".

Sun Square Jupiter (December 16, 2010)

Though Jupiter is known as the "greater benefic", not all good things come from the biggest planet in the solar system. Sometimes too much, is just that...too much. When Jupiter makes a hard aspect to another planet, we all have to be careful not to overestimate, overdo, and fall into many other examples of losing touch with what is reasonable.

The Sun rules our self; Jupiter is the principle and power of relating. We will have a tendency now to over-relate. That means we will either go too far in pushing our self upon another, or overreact to someone else at this time. Likewise, some other person may be over-reaching or reacting towards us.

A square literally means we are at a turning point; this is a time of decision about personal growth. This square is asking, "how are you going to act in order to grow reasonably now?" Something was revealed back towards the end of September about your potential for growth and relationship. Now you have to make a choice about that.

This decision will have something to do with letting go of an old concept, belief or idea. By challenging your beliefs you can break up an old way of relating and move into a better one. The self/Sun wants to expand by moving along a path that has been true (till now). Jupiter is saying that you need to use your imagination now, you need to show more compassion now, if you want to grow beyond yourself.

Before true growth, comes a greater understanding. The path to understanding is found through compassion. If you wish to be fulfilled now, then show that you are ready by the breadth of your generosity and the greatness of your heart.

Mercury Conjunct Pluto & Mercury Conjunct Mars & Mars Conjunct Pluto (December 13, 2010)

Warning! ...Triple Conjunction ahead. Sunday evening into Monday evening could prove to be one of the more intense periods of this month. Three planets are lining up with one another. All three effects will be felt simultaneously as they align within minutes of one another Monday night.

Mercury is retrograde and so is coming back over Pluto as it did on December 5th. Mercury is likewise aligning with Mars again as it did on November 20th. Look back and see what was happening on those dates, there will probably be a connection with what happens now. At this time, with the retrograde influence, each contact is turned inward and intensified. The lesson is more personal, the effect more deeply felt.

The Mercury alignment to Pluto helps us to have much more insight into our own thinking and that of others. But the control issues of Pluto will have to be confronted now as regards our way of thinking about authority. We should always see these times as opportunities for greater self-awareness and personal growth. But that often comes about through some challenge thrown down by others. The challenge here will concern something to do with Authority; we cannot force an idea merely because our position gives us power to do so. And likewise, those in a superior position to our own should not try and force their ideas upon us.

The Mercury alignment to Mars speeds everything up. We might say something, or say it in a way, we will later regret. Fast and agile thinking is admired, hasty and angry speech is not. An intelligent mind is agile, with a facility to challenge assumptions, (including one's own). But with Mars spurring Mercury, we might become easily hurt and angered, and pass on our pain by being mean or curt to another. Instead, we should turn the "thoughtless" energy around and impart to it a true sense of responsibility; and, that what we must responsible to is how we care one another.

Mars conjunct Pluto completes our triple play and reveals the deeper levels of what is moving us now. Pluto rules our willpower; Mars rules our desires and actions. Combine them together and we can (by willing) do anything. The impossible is possible now. We will win the competition.

But what might be the price? We might win the battle but lose the cause. Our wielding of any power must be in service to its source. If we become too full of ourselves, too full of our power, we will probably misuse it and bring about unwanted repercussions. We will fail and fall.

Mars and Pluto in Capricorn combine now to illustrate that we must acknowledge our duty; that our use of power must be exercised in order to serve and fulfill our responsibilities. By so doing, the exercise of power is guided by honoring what we stand upon with one another, our cultural and spiritual heritage. We will and must use our power to create, not destroy.

We are here to act with regard for one another so that we might fulfill our destinies with each other. We must wield power so as to protect and preserve what has been passed down to us by those who came before, as we must now pass it on to those who follow. Act now in order to honor the values and traditions that form the foundation of your life. It is your duty.

Mercury Retrograde & Mercury Sextile Venus (December 10, 2010)

Mercury turns retrograde today until December 30th. Our minds are turned inward, we become more reflective and introspective. But life goes on, so the end result is that normal outward communications become much more scrambled. We are not speaking, writing or designing as clearly as before; and, whoever is our intended recipient is not receiving as well either. Misunderstandings build up and frustrations and tensions result in what appears to be a breakdown of "messaging". This need not be.

Instead, use this time to re-examine your thoughts, ideas, and plans. Repair your thinking and use this opportunity for introspection. Mercury is actually closer to us during these retrograde periods, (3 weeks in duration, 3 times in a year), so its power and influence should be strengthened. Many individuals find that these periods are often filled with a flurry of activity and much progress can be made in improving our thinking.

Till the 18th, Mercury retrogrades in Capricorn, so we need to re-examine our thoughts regarding authority and responsibility. Then, till the 30th, Mercury moves through Sagittarius helping us to question and look more deeply into our beliefs and assumptions.

When it comes to the day to day necessity of staying connected with others, just make certain to be more careful in both sending and receiving. We can make mistakes at anytime; it just seems more likely at this time because we are all under the influence of this change of direction.

Also, we will communicate something of value today thanks to Mercury sextile Venus. The productive combination of these two inner planets means that our appreciation of and thoughts about beauty, grace and love will turn out well.

Talk about what you care for, enjoy the arts, and share loving thoughts with friends and family. You will find greater meaning in something or someone today.