Notes from the Stars 2/28 - 3/6
A New Moon, the dance between masculine and feminine, and some housekeeping
This week is all about the balance between masculine and feminine as Venus and Mars trade partners in their dance towards conjunction on Sunday.
Venus has been in Capricorn for far too long thanks to her retrograde which began back in December. As one of the sole feminine indicators in traditional astrology Venus has a lot on her shoulders--especially in a society with deep, unhealed feminine trauma. While Capricorn isn't technically of detriment, it is a restrictive sign and narrows Venus' sights in a way that prevents her from expressing her full feminine potential.
There's a lot to be said here--between the occult polarity of masculine and feminine, their traditional associations, and the way they're expressed (and manipulated) in our society, this is a much longer discussion. But as Venus and Mars travel through the last few degrees of Capricorn they both eclipse Pluto, begging us to examine the shadows which drive their expressions.
This is about much more than gender identity--it's about how you invest your energy and the values you hold around it. Maybe you live firmly in hustle culture and equate you self worth solely with your productivity or profit. Maybe you're hesitant to take control of situations because you're afraid of stepping on others' toes or overreaching. Maybe you're the eternal martyr or maybe everyone around you fills you with uncontrollable rage.
You may get a glimpse on Wednesday during the Pisces New Moon. In a way the Sun and Moon embody this same masculine feminine axis and some honest and open reflection on these concepts could bring intense revelations during a deeply spiritual lunation. Plutonian shadows embed themselves deeply into our subconscious, ruling us from so deep inside we hardly recognize their influence. Start the excavation and see what comes up--remember that Pluto is still in Capricorn, the sign of institutions and establishments. You might ask yourself how outside perceptions of value and action have affected these concepts in your own life, or how the ever-changing institutional dictates of gendered expression have influenced your own. If you begin to feel that your expression is not authentic, follow the thread and find its origin. It's never too late to weave another tale.
On Sunday, Venus and Mars meet at exactly 0 Degrees, 1 minute of Aquarius. While still a Saturnian sign, Aquarius holds immense potential for reform. Some would argue that Aquarius itself has no gender or represents the Divine Hermaphrodite of alchemy--and each case has some credence--but the origins of the sign are distinctly male. Even its later Greek incarnation took shape as a beautiful youth. This is why I was so puzzled when I saw some sources call it the feminine aspect of Saturn. But as we creep ever closer towards the end of this current cycle, it begins to make sense. As society pushes us into its own expressive ideals we risk losing the vision of our future that we ourselves have gestated and brought to life. We're told that our values and priorities have no collective purpose and forced to unceremoniously bury them and move forward. But what if fulfilling our individual destinies is the greatest service we can provide? What if accepting responsibility for our role in humanity comes with achieving unique individual roles for ourselves, ultimately adding up to a stronger collective whole?
Over the course of this week I encourage you to examine the dreams you've left behind at the behest of society. What roles do you perform because you feel you have no other choice? Is it possible to still uphold these responsibilities with a greater authenticity of expression?
A personal note on the topic of femininity:
If you follow me on Instagram or listen to my podcast or Youtube channel, you know I've got some Big Life Changes coming. If you don't, well, last week's post probably made it loud and clear: I'm navigating a massive out of state move and preparing to have my first child in about six weeks. And as both of these deadlines loom closer, I feel the need to make some changes both to my routine and my approach to life.
For the next few months, this newsletter will be free. If you're currently a subscriber, you will not be charged. I've paused all billing through Substack. This also gives me some freedom to explore other topics and express myself in ways I felt previously unable. Last week's article on consumption and karmic cycles was deeply personal, one I was quite hesitant to post, but also one which commanded every ounce of my energy until it was written. And there are so many other topics like this, begging me to explore and express them. Over the next few weeks I plan to do just that. Thank you to all those who reached out with support and empathy, and to those of you especially who shared your own experiences. This is the only way for us to right these cycles: with extreme introspection and understanding.
I absolutely love the writing process--making connections between theories and examining their execution in modern life, speculating on how we might elevate them and improve our experiences. And it means the world to me that you continue to read and support my content. I have no intention of stopping, even in the midst of these massive life changes. Right now, the best ways to support this newsletter and the content I create is to share it with others you feel would appreciate or benefit from it. Forward this newsletter to a friend, share the link on Instagram or Twitter, engage others in the conversation. I strongly believe that the future of the internet--and the future in general--is in creator-driven communities like those here on Substack. I'm also opening up comments on all my posts for all subscribers. I'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions, and experiences with the topics I discuss as well as any questions or suggestions you have for future topics. Consider the comments your personal Q&A section, a place to send and receive support.
And as always, you'll find links with all the ways you can connect with me in the signoff at the bottom of each article.
Thank you for being a subscriber and welcoming my thoughts into your inbox! If you appreciate my work, please consider becoming a member through email for additional exclusive content and forwarding this article to others who may enjoy it. You can also gift memberships here through Substack! I rely entirely on recommendations and reader support to continue making content. Tips are not expected, but Ko-Fi donations are deeply appreciated. You can book one-on-one appointments for personalized astrological consultations and tarot through my website, ThatAstrologer.com, and hear more candid thoughts on my podcast, Love and a Little Magic as well as Instagram and Youtube.