Astrologer Bill Attride

New Moon in Cancer - Solar Eclipse (July 1, 2011)

Another event covered in my overview for 2011, this is what I wrote then:

Back to back Solar Eclipses adds an urgent tone to the messages from the stars. This time the New Moon is in Cancer, and the new beginnings for how we can secure our lives requires we more deeply understand where security really comes from first.

In addition I would add the following:

As I noted for the New Moon of June 1, during an "Eclipse New Moon a shadow (the past) falls upon you". That means you have to remove, or move past, that blind spot and uncover what is hidden in order to truly understand the message released by this New Moon.

The Cancer part of your journey takes you within, down to the roots of your being; you reach and secure your center...you follow your feelings. The Cancer New Moon binds you back to the familiar, to the family, and all those experiences which affirm your sense of being whole in yourself, yet part of a greater wholeness too: family, village, community...The New Moon in Cancer creates an opportunity to refresh yourself at this wellspring of your existence; and at the truest center point you feel and affirm the Great Truth, you are one with the One.

But the eclipse puts a shadow across the path; there is something that is hiding the message, something you must understand about your past before you can refresh yourself at the fountain-source of your being. The shadow that falls across you now (as always) is...fear. Fear is what comes between you and your becoming, between you and your destiny.  

The shadow that falls, the fear for Cancer, is that you do not belong, that you are not embraced...that you have been abandoned. This is the darkness that you must confront now before you can refresh your soul in the waters of feeling.

This fear comes from the past, from a time and a real experience when you felt uncared for, unconnected...alone. It is not of this time, but is carried by the Moon to the present to remind you what this feels like. Why? ...So that you may remember and so know what you must do.

You must turn to another now, another who feels alone or abandoned here today, you must hold them, embrace them and demonstrate the truth that they, you, we are never alone....not ever.

You confront this echo of falsehood with the light of your life now; your living presence of shared feelings, understanding and love stands as a testament. The compassion you feel now breaks up the shadows of your past and the pain of the one before you today.

The shadow, the past, has no hold over you, a shining one who lives in the Truth that you are never alone; you are always connected and will always be cared for because you stand in the light...you are the Light.

Shine on!

Sun Opposition Pluto (June 28, 2011)

Uh oh!  It's another test of Will. The challenge will appear out there, between you and another (or others). But, as always, the test lies within though it appears to come from without. You are always upon the path of self-knowledge and self-mastery; so know that all these tests that are put before you are necessary for your self-unfoldment.

You began this cycle of will in late December, when you had the opportunity to reaffirm that will, your free will, is dependent upon your self-knowledge. The more unaware of yourself or the world around you, the more "fated" will your life be, things will just "happen" to you. And the more you come into the knowledge of yourself (and the world around you), you will then have that much more free will to exercise in your life, you will make things happen.

Now you face a revelation, now you see how free and willful you are. It is not whether you are stronger than the other. No, the question is (always) how much self-control or self-will have you mastered? For the issue of will, of your free will, is the understanding you have about boundaries and trespassing and your sense of the sacred.

The space that you call your "self", well that is a very sacred space, it is your space for unfolding the light within, for "becoming the becoming". And that is also so for every other evolving consciousness in this universe. You develop your will so as to create a boundary around your sacred space, your "self", as you interact with the other wills in your world, as they must do likewise.

Your unfolding will leads to ever greater self-control and self-determination that is reflected outwardly in your respect for the boundaries of others. You come to understand that the only control that matters, the only control that is true and lasting, is self-control. All else is illusion.

If someone attempts to push, manipulate or guilt you to do something, (well shame on them for that is trespassing), you move away, you put space between them and you. And likewise you must restrain yourself, even for the very best intentions, from attempting to force another to do whatever you might think is best for them (or you). Hopefully, for your sake, you will fail in the attempt.

Instead, turn your sacred power of will back upon yourself so as to continue your journey of self-discovery, creativity and understanding. And, by your example, encourage others to do the same.

It is this development of free will and sacred spaces that is at the very heart of the journey for Life-Consciousness-Spirit.

This is its Destiny...which is your Destiny. So be it.  

Mars Sextile Uranus (June 27, 2011)

You are really showing some sparkle today! And so you should. Mars has been tripping through Gemini, encouraging your ingenuity, intelligence and agility. Now Uranus comes around to add a touch of originality, inventiveness and creativity.

Mars rules the ways in which you act to fulfill yourself. You are experiencing more flexibility in Gemini, comparing, contrasting and trying different approaches, methods and solutions. If one approach does not work, you pivot and try another. Nimble (and quick), that's Gemini.

Uranus now adds a flash of insight (or inspiration), that takes your intelligent adaptability to new heights. Uranus is "the road less taken", the outsider with the unique viewpoint; Uranus shifts your focus beyond the binary reality of either/or.

Uranus with Mars leads you to the "third way". You are freed from the ordinary patterns and solutions; you move into new and unexplored pathways, discoveries and delights. It leads you inward to a deeper realization of your originality. It leads you outward to a greater experience of being a creator. Uranus is the Awakener who leads you to the pathways of freedom.

Try something new. Celebrate originality. Dance the dance of the Creator.

It is time to Be Yourself.

It is your Destiny.

Sun Square Uranus (June 26, 2011)

Did you feel that? That was some bump (or nudge, or shake...or something). What is that? It almost feels....well it almost feels shocking.

Oh, that's just Uranus throwing down some jolts to your sense of self. With the Sun moving through Cancer, you have been very focused upon security, practical needs, feelings and family since June 21.

Uranus in Aries comes along to remind you that, well that's fine, that's fine to focus on your roots and security and all; but what about your Independence, Idealism and Originality...what about your Freedom? That's the song Uranus is singing now and you better pay attention.

Whenever you face a square you often feel as if you are torn between two opposite ways of being or acting. You feel you must choose; to do one and deny the other. So you must decide between: security or independence, practicality or idealism.

But the path of the spiritual warrior is the path of integration. The greater way, the Noble Path, is to see that each of these truths depends upon the other for its own existence. You need your sense of center from which you proceed outward and so extend your originality into the world. And the growth of that Individual Self is then brought back to your roots, to enrich the core elements that provide you with that very sense of rootedness.

The challenge, really, is not in how to make a choice between one or the other. The challenge is to be more conscious, to be a living presence that is attuned to the whole of your spiritual unfoldment. You must honor all aspects of yourself and so maintain a dynamic balancing of these and other elements in your life

This alignment, the square of Sun and Uranus, says that right now you will feel that these two sets of truths are out of balance and you need to adjust. Take the middle path, the "Red Road"...Do not overreact and cling to security or assert absolute independence. Listen to your higher self, your calmer self, the watcher who is always waiting to assist you.

Your watcher will whisper: Honor your roots for it is that "source song" which carries you from beginning to end, from life to life. Honor your unfolding selfhood, your own special essence, by modulating, molding and creating your own melody within the great chorus of Life-Consciousness-Spirit.

Sing on sojourner....Sing your song.

Sun Sextile Jupiter (June 25, 2011)

Today you will find that "luck" is on your side; it is a very good day to make progress with planning and decisions that will lead you towards greater self-fulfillment. Back in early April you started a new cycle of growth; now that growth is stabilizing, solidifying, securing...growth is becoming tangible now.

The Sun rules your "self"; it is your pure potential seeking to realize itself in the world. Jupiter rules the ways in which you relate to your world; it is your principles, truths and beliefs. The Sun is your Essence; Jupiter is your Becoming.

You are here to grow, to unfold your potential from your Sun, to realize your destiny as you "Become the Becoming". To do this you extend yourself, reach out through Jupiter to...to those who journey with you. Your unfoldment and growth and their unfoldment and growth happen together; it happens because, and with, and through one another.

That is why the secret to your growth...what Jupiter is really about....is Generosity. The Spiritual Law is: "To those who give, more shall be given"...so that they may continue to give. This is one of the cardinal principles of what you experience as the "Law of Karma", of cause and effect.

Your growth, your unfoldment, is founded, extended and fulfilled by being on a journey of Life-Consciousness-Spirit with all the other sparks of the divine who accompany you. You cannot and will not be separated one from another for the entirety of this journey. You journey together, grow together and fulfill your destinies through one another.

Whatever you give...is what will come back to you...so be Generous to the other, be Generous to yourself.  

Fulfill your destiny...to be a star amongst the Stars...reveal the shining one within.

Be Generous!

So be it.

Mars Squares Neptune (June 22, 2011)

Are you sure you know what you are doing? Really, it's okay if you are feeling a little lost or confused. In fact, that's the point when Mars is challenged by Neptune...the truth is Neptune is always going to "win" this one.

Mars is zipping along in Gemini now, dancing through your mind, with a multiplicity of ideas, interests and activities. Mars in Gemini avers, "All reality is Rational; all actions can be conceived, understood, and executed by following the logical-reasoning-mind".

Neptune comes along and says, "No, no, no....you only think you are acting with full understanding, with your labels, and categories and concepts; but the Universe is bigger than that!" And...whoosh! You are plunged into the vortex, enveloped in clouds of doubt, disbelief...confusion...and your certainty goes, bye-bye.

What's the point? And, more to the point, what do you do now? Remember, you are a special spark within this greater Universe; and, this greater Universe is also within you too. It is within your nature to be able to understand...Everything (eventually). Your confusion is just a state or condition that you must pass through as you unfold your potentials, as you "Become the Becoming".

You unfold yourself through many forms of consciousness; you advance from level to level of understanding and activity. At each step you find meaning within your world view or personal universe; even though you truly exist in a much more complex "Multiverse". At each level you operate with some degree of belief (and certainty) that this is the way it is.

Then along comes an event, experience or something that does not fit...and you lose your certainty....you become confused. That is exactly what is supposed to happen. In order to grow, in order to "Become the Becoming", you must lose your certainty, move into confusion so as to question your assumptions...and then find a way to a new, more complete understanding. Confusion is not "bad"; it just is a state of being you must go through, (again and again), if you are to continue your journey to a higher consciousness.

Those who claim that they are always "certain" are just not paying attention! They cling to the familiar long after it makes no sense. But you who have doubts, who wonder and cast your gaze beyond those self-imposed blinders of your present reality...you who are filled with a faith that leads to better questions and not final answers...well, you are among the awakened, those who are more steadily advancing upon the path of becoming.

So, let us give thanks to Neptune, your planet of dreams, imagination and faith; this Avatar of the Multiverse is moving you beyond what is...to what will be. You only need to pass through confusion for a little while. It is but a small sacrifice to make for the Illumination that awaits you.

Okay Dreamers....Dream On!

Mercury Square Saturn (June 21, 2011)

What's that? Is that a "bump" in your thinking now...or, "Uh oh! Is that a wall"? Better be prepared to stop (and pivot) because Hermes just got tripped up by the "old one". That's right, your "mind is meeting matter" in the form of Saturn the teacher, "the ancient of days", and you better have your homework done.

Mercury is swimming through Cancer, letting thoughts flow, swirl and dance in the waters of feeling-thoughts. Being spontaneous just feels so right; and if it feels good, then you will just say it! But Saturn would like a word or two with you.

Saturn in Libra is reminding Mercury that sometimes spontaneity...hurts. When you just say whatever, unfiltered, well...although you may feel fine, the party on the other end may not. Saturn/Libra reminds you that you have to consider the nature of the relationship, the feelings of the other, before you "share".

It's not as if Saturn wants you to stop talking...he just wants you to stop and think before you end up sounding as if you lack feeling...which, of course is the opposite of what you are trying to do!

This square of Mercury with Saturn is calling upon you to adjust your need to be true to your feelings/thoughts with your equal need to be considerate of others. Now, where is the harm in that?

Sun Enters Cancer (June 21, 2011)

The wheel turns...and the Fourth Door opens. A New Season of Energies, Experiences and Consciousness begins. Walk across the threshold into the New World...But as you do you will pause, "this is familiar, I have felt this way before". Indeed, for you have "Squared the Circle", you are coming home; you will enter the waters and remember...this is what I have needed, "I want to feel, I need to be whole again".

Welcome to Cancer the first of the Water Signs, the second of the Cardinal Signs. In Aries, Spirit comes into the material world to be (in Fire), it is the Incarnation. In Taurus, Spirit stretches itself into forms of reality (in Earth), it is the Substantiation. In Gemini, Spirit extends itself by connectivity within and without (in Air), it is the Differentiation.

Now is Cancer's time, Spirit moves through the Waters as you feel your way to the roots of your experience in the world, it is the Centering. You can only go so far in extending yourself before you must "bend back", to relate what you have experienced to that which gives it meaning...you must become familiar with it. You must secure yourself and your experience to the roots of your being and so deepen your realization that you are "one within the One".

Your first experience of this longing is found in the family, in the home. Every soul needs to feel a connection to some core experience. For many souls, this feeling will be first (and perhaps only) experienced in the immediate family, in the tribe, or local group. But as your spirit unfolds you will find similar and wider experiences in the connections found in ethnicity, in religion, in culture and beliefs.

To belong, to feel a part of something larger than oneself is crucial to your stability. You need to feel anchored, connected to something that places your life and experience into a context of meaning and continuity. You feel the need for nurturing (which you will return by nurturing others) and you find it in your first circle of care, your Mother and Father.

But as you journey you will extend this sense of care and connection to and from many forms of life experience. That is because your true home, your true Mother/Father, is the One Spirit, within which you exist as a spark of that Divine. You are a sojourner in these worlds, accompanied by and part of this glorious host of shinning ones.

You left your home long ago, and many are the steps in your journey, many homes that you will call home, 'till you come together at the end of the ages with your Mother/Father again.

So, welcome back to Cancer, time to feel your way now...Center yourself, nourish yourself and others. Remember how good this feels... to be home, again!

Mars Enters Gemini (June 20, 2011)

Wheeeeeeeee....now we are moving! There is no "faster" sign in the Zodiac; and with Mars ruling motion, you are skipping along as you show your agility, your nimble quickness, and your way with wit. From now till August 3, it is time to stretch those sinews of body and mind a show that you...can.

Mars likes to move, so he is very happy to be somersaulting through the airy spaces of Gemini. Air is the element of the mind; you lead now with your head. Thinking, communicating, and networking will all create new pathways within and without; this is a time to celebrate your initiative, energetic mind.

There is electricity in the air now, and everyone is dashing off in many directions, chasing multiple possibilities. So remember to pause for a breather before skipping off on another adventure.

Gemini likes a good debate, and coupled with Mars things could get overheated. So, always remember to temper your eager voice with considerate hearing. It is perfectly fine to be enthusiastic about what you believe to be true...but you may not have all the facts, especially if you have not made an effort to listen.

Mercury Opposition Pluto (June 19, 2011)

Deep, deep diving ahead...You better get ready to go "beyond the beyond" today because when Hermes meets Hades, well something is going to emerge, a matter is coming to the surface...the volcano will erupt, and you better be prepared to open your mind.

This is the climax of the Mercury/Pluto cycle and it will come to you in a visitation (or confrontation) by another whose point of view, position or beliefs are not aligned with yours. There is a real difference here; and with Pluto it could turn ugly as a struggle is pressed towards the zero-sum option, win or lose, or more likely MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) of right thinking.

This time the issue will be posed as a confrontation between Cancer/Capricorn: between home vs. career, between security vs. responsibility, between feeling vs. duty. The truth to be revealed will be found by integrating these experiences; validating both sides since each is essential to the other.

Your challenge, of course, as always, is really not "out there"; it is not with the other but within yourself that you must be concerned. If someone, or something has gotten a hold on you, become a fixation (or obsession)...well, yes, then there is a problem, and it is only being revealed outwardly by this confrontation.

So do not raise your voice in anger, do not dig yourself a deeper whole of compulsion, defensiveness or fear. First, outwardly if you can, (or inwardly), thank your "opponent" for this gift, this opportunity which brought the issue to fullness.

Then turn your mind's eye around, back upon yourself, by using the gift of Pluto, the power of your will. Let Hades lead you down into the catacombs of your mind, to your assumptions, your opinions, your biases and compulsions...let Pluto strip you down. There, the watcher waiting, your higher self, will show you that the only way to truth is through humility, openness and love. The only struggle that you have for control is with your lower self.

Dive deep pilgrim, down into the dark and ancient depths of your inner sanctum. There, in the apparent darkness, there burns the brightest light, your guiding star....it is the watcher who is always waiting for you.

You will find your answer, and your spirit will be renewed in the waters of that greater understanding. You will cross another threshold, as your journey continues by your deeper dedication to the one injunction, "Know Thyself"!  

All right, ready? Dive, dive, dive!