Weekly Weather August 8, 2011
Our week ahead has two, count them, two, Hammers of Thor, forming in the sky above our heads. A few weeks ago, Mercury formed a Hammer of Thor during the seemingly endless debt ceiling debate. John Boehner and the Republicans got mad when Barack Obama said “We might as well do it now. Pull off the band aid. Eat our peas.” It was quite a memorable Mercurial statement that ricocheted around the world, causing wonderful headlines and jokes.
From the internet: “Distinctively shaped, The Hammer of Thor is depicted in Norse mythology as one of the most fearsome weapons, capable of leveling mountains. Though generally recognized and depicted as a hammer, it is sometimes referred to as an axe or club.
“Thor possessed a formidable chariot, which was drawn by two goats. A belt and iron gloves were used to lift The Hammer. The Viking warrior aristocracy were particularly inspired by Thor’s ferocity in battle.
“The Prose Edda gives a summary of The Hammer’s special qualities in that, with it, Thor:
… would be able to strike as firmly as he wanted, whatever his aim, and the hammer would never fail, and if he threw it at something, it would never miss and never fly so far from his hand that it would not find its way back, and when he wanted, it would be so small that it could be carried inside his tunic.
“The translation means “crusher”, referring to its pulverizing effect. It is related to the Russian and Welsh words that translate as “lightning”. It parallels with the idea that Thor, being a god of thunder, therefore might have used lightning as his weapon. It is related to words such as the Icelandic verbs “to crush” and “to grind”.”
The Hammer was not only a weapon of war. It could be used to make beautiful jewels, jewelry, shields, and weapons. It was used as a religious amulet, similar to Christ’s cross, the Star of David or Pentacle, to protect wearers from harm, houses from evil and to mark graves indicating the deceased had Thor’s protection. Thor could dispatch it to do his bidding and it always returned to his side, mission accomplished.
This week the Sun and Venus move into position to form two hammers. Two hammers that will potentially grind, crush, bejewel, protect and enlighten us. The planets involved at the “business end” of the hammer are Uranus square to Pluto. Back with the Peas metaphor, we saw Mercury at the handle end. Now Sun and Venus are at the handle end.
Sun is responsible for our EGO’s or Solar purpose ~what we are here to grow into and become during the course of our life. Venus is responsible for describing the DESIRES such as love, money and relationship that Sun and we need to fulfill and complete our purpose. This week Sun and Venus are traveling together so they are thinking and operating in tandem. We can expect the two planets to stand, heart and hopes in hand, and express what they desire and need for their life to proceed the way they want it to.
Now Hammers of Thor can either be very good or very difficult. Whether good or bad, they are CLARIFYING! You see it clearly. You get it. You CAN get gob smacked in your forehead, slapping the space in the middle of your forehead like one of The Three Stooges. OR you can quietly hear, feel, know and see what you need to do and where you need to go. It’s a hammer! Ferocious in its cause, you are going to come to an understanding this week, one way or the other. Pay attention to what your heart says to you. Listen to what your ego and soul want. Speak your truth. Use the Hammer in the Heavens to clarify what you want.
Right before the Sun and Venus form their Hammers, Mars in Cancer, answering to the Moon, is rolling through the widening t-square in the sky. Mars is filling in the open leg, making it a Cardinal Cross. It will be hard to NOT take action. Mars in Cancer is going to fight with what he sees, argue with partners, want to “end” things right now, and get into power struggles around triangles and power dynamics. Next week, he moves past his block from Saturn and into freedom. You are going to want to express yourself and what you need, especially from an emotional place. You are going to need to take action, some kind of action, based on the information that you receive. That said, be cautious around over-reacting. Mars in Cancer is very sensitive and emotional. However, he will be ruled by Capricorn when he rolls through the t-square, making him exalted and crystal cold and crispy clear in his high sensitivity and deep feeling emotions. Think Mother Bear defending her cubs. Fierce and determined. Or you might find that territorial actions and thoughts help establish what you want and need. No worries but do think before reacting. And then think TWO MORE TIMES before you go off, doing it.
Lately, lots of people have been expressing their desire and a bit of frustration about knowing or not knowing where they are going next. This week should be a clarifying week as it outlines our vision of our future. If the hammer outlines it in a “bad” way, reframe that message so it is positive. And move cheerfully toward your new understanding of what needs to take place in your life. If the hammer outlines it in a “good” way ~ a nice hammer so to speak ~ embrace the path opening before you and skip on down the road. The final details won’t all be in place until Saturn goes past the point of his station last January 2011, 17:14 Libra, which takes place on September 19, 2011. Jupiter in Taurus holds the message as he will be at the same degree in September that he is at this week. Jupiter is our commitment to our community and our positive relationships to the greater world that are at work in our life.
There also is a Full Moon on Saturday at 20:41 Aquarius harking back to Mid-February 2010 when the New Moon was seeded. The New Moon from February 2010 culminates now, this week. The Sabian Image seems to echo the more negative image of the Hammer. However, the image also offers us the understanding that it is a temporary situation that we will be working with under the Full Moon. The Sabian Image is A WOMAN DISAPPOINTED AND DISILLUSIONED, COURAGEOUSLY FACING A SEEMINGLY EMPTY LIFE.
Lynda Hill’s interpretation of the Sabian Image is :
Commentary: ‘A Woman Disappointed and Disillusioned’ is an image of apparent sadness and loss. As she’s ‘Courageously Facing a Seemingly Empty Life’, she’s putting on a brave face, even though it may feel to her that she doesn’t have much of a future. This could really be just a matter of perception and expectations. Perhaps there are some, or indeed many, things that she could be grateful for, but some areas of her life are unfulfilled and not working. Perhaps there are no children, no relationship or something has been lost.
Oracle: There can be feelings of wasted energy, trying to achieve something against the odds, while creating only failure. However, it is always important to look on ‘Disappointment’ and loss as a teacher. The feeling, or belief, that one will never have the life they want can lead to exactly that outcome. Trying to be objective can help, as things could improve far beyond your expectations or dreams in the future. As they say, while there is life there is hope and we always have something to strive for and achieve, if only we can have faith in it. ‘Courage’ is a key to recognizing the fullness and beauty of life, regardless of how others see it. The biggest barrier to overcome is the bitterness and barriers that can arise. There may point to someone else who really needs your support. Reconnect with what is available and possible in your situation. Although it requires courage and faith to get back on track, we always return to life with greater wisdom and understanding. Realizing one’s limitations, but doing so with a sense of purpose and hope will help ease matters. Try turning doom and gloom into faith, inspiration and thanks for what IS possible and IS available, and watch how things improve.
Keywords: Breaking through illusions. Facing stark reality with hope. Loneliness and depression overcome. Positive outlooks. Counting one’s blessings. Looking towards the future. Having to battle through relationship losses while maintaining a sense of self and purpose. Turning points reached. Having a belief in miracles. Choosing joy.
The Caution: Wallowing in failure. Not seeing the joy and beauty of one’s life. Accepting defeat. Feeling like all is lost. Bitterness. Walling one’s self off from others. Not trusting people. Finding nothing to be happy about. Feeling deserted and alone. Not letting go of the past. Injuries. Infertility. Incurable “dis-eases”. Unrequited love. The loss of the partner. Staring into space. Being a sad, old person.
Life is what we make it, and the world is what we make it. The eyes of the cheerful and of the melancholy man are fixed upon the same creation; but very different are the aspects which it bears to them. Albert Pike
Just think how happy you would be if you lost everything you have right now, and then got it back again. Frances Rodman
Remember that too many people who faithfully follow the prescription to work hard, sacrifice, achieve, accomplish, create and get ahead either “crack up” in the process or find an emotional vacuum at the end of it all. Arnold Lazarus
Some people are sympathetic; others are just pathetic. Peter Wasthol
Doubt is the vestibule through which all must pass before they can enter into the temple of wisdom. Colton
We consume our tomorrows fretting about our yesterdays. Persius
Even when I’m sick and depressed, I love life. Arthur Rubenstein
Lynda’s work is available at her website. Lynda Hill’s interpretation of the Sabian Symbols appears with her permission. http://www.sabiansymbols.typepad.com
VOID MOONS
4:25 pm EDT August 9, Tuesday to 4:38 pm EDT
4:34 pm EDT August 10, Wednesday to 11:47 pm EDT August 11, Thursday
The Moon in VOID Wednesday night and all day Thursday
8:26 am EDT August 14, Sunday to 8:54 am EDT
Monday Moon’s day August finds the Moon in Sagittarius with frisky closing aspects of a sextile to Neptune. Dreams are stirring under these aspects with a push towards the vision that is stirring inside of you. Mercury goes back into Leo, becoming proud and loud again. He opposes Neptune so the quiet drama that took place last Tuesday and Wednesday when Mercury was in Virgo opposite Neptune in Pisces becomes a crazy drama under his new energy in Leo. This is the second of three oppositions Mercury makes to Neptune. It is all about clarifying and seeing things clearly as the haze of Neptune moves aside for us to notice, clearly, what is going on. The law is fierce today so be cautious with police or authorities in power. They are NOT in the mood to hear any excuses. Patterns appear in your intimate relationships ~ believe what you see. It is true. Mars wants to ARGUE that the pattern they are seeing is NOT TRUE. Ah but it IS true. It needs an adjustment. Make an adjustment. Mars is setting off the first parts of the t-square. Health issues can surface today. Take care of them. Watch out for fights with partners and people who you rely on as Mars squares Juno. Part of it is their issue ~ they are feeling just as much as you are. And they don’t have the benefit of astrology to help them through their day.
Tuesday Mars’ day August 9 Moon in Sagittarius continues to fire up that Mars in Cancer. Remember Mars is answering to the Moon’s changes. Mars trines Chiron opening up old wounds right as you go to sleep. Dreams can be disturbing but note them upon awakening. The partnership wounds just continue to fester. Even if you were a PERFECT partner, it would not be enough. Just know that is part of the story too. The fight energy is strong. Mars squares Uranus so unexpected changes can take place today. Changes you didn’t see coming, or which appear out of the blue. Be careful in the kitchen and with cooking or sharp implements as wounding can occur. It is also a big day for accidents so drive carefully. There is an element of emotional discord that is inspirational but also a bit troubling. Yes, you are still a nice person, even if you want to kill them. You are only a not nice person if you actually kill them ~ no matter what your mother said. Today is a day when we will hear our mother’s or our childhood authority’s words echoing in our heads. Listen to the caution. Listen to your heart. Act accordingly with the caution in mind according to your heart. Some times you have to do what you have to do.
Wednesday Mercury’s day August 10 Moon in Capricorn rolls through the t-square and takes over from Sagittarius in running the instructions through Mars in Cancer’s brain. Moon is having a tough time of it today. Moon in Capricorn is depressed. Mars in Cancer is depressed. What a fun combo! Can we reframe that as cautious? Ceres retrogrades back into Pisces, shifting the Maternal energy from Fierce bear defending her cubs to depressed, crying, orphan and abandoned energy. Just when we could use a bit of fierceness! Uranus opposes Juno suggesting partnerships and relationships break up or renegotiate the terms today. Remember Mercury is proud and loud right now so be careful what you say as those words could come back to haunt you. Sun dives into the Nodes of Destiny so watch who enters or leaves your life today. It could very well be permanent ~ in or out ~ and part of your future. Moon’s closing aspect of a square to Saturn says to pay attention to the threats or endings today as they are permanent and final. The Hammers of Thor start to form.
Thursday Jupiter’s day August 11 Moon is void all day to process the events of the week without feeling you have to take action. Mars is opposite Pluto making it a tough night to get a good night’s sleep. Mercury has a number of aspects so communications are rather fraught right now. Pay attention and try not to react. Just gather data. Fights with authorities are part of the energy too. The idea is brilliant. If they don’t see it, take it some place else or develop it further on your own. You can always share the credit later. The Hammers of Thor are intensifying.
Friday Venus’ day August 12 Moon in Aquarius offers Mars a detachment from the depression and difficult past couple of days. The Hammers of Thor perfect its square with Uranus today. Something is going to break. Sun and Venus in Leo both form sesquiquadrates with Uranus in Aries at the beginning and end of the day. Sesquiquadrates are about stress that needs to be alleviated by taking action ~ and swinging that hammer? Or feeling the up swell of difficult emotions. Venus is aware that she wants something different from her companions or group and is able to find words to articulate it as Mercury moves back towards her. Be careful about giving ultimatums today. They can become or cause permanent breaches in your relationship. The Hammer is starting to swing out from Thor’s hands towards changing the landscape before him and you. Be clear what you want from The Hammer as it is an all or nothing kind of energy. And pay attention to what The Hammer bangs about in your life.
Saturday, Saturn’s day August 13 Moon in Aquarius continues to help Mars be detached as the second part of the Hammer forms today from the beginning to the end of the day. It can be another difficult night of sleep ~ full of tossing and turning. Sun and Venus in Leo form sesquiquadrates with Pluto in Capricorn asking for evolution and deep psychological changes from within. There is a full Moon today that evokes difficult emotions with the Sabian Image being A WOMAN DISAPPOINTED AND DISILLUSIONED, COURAGEOUSLY FACING A SEEMINGLY EMPTY LIFE. It is a day to be careful around alcohol and drugs as the images promise deep emotions that don’t need extra fuel to be espousing and exposing themselves. Infections need to be tended to promptly. Sun has a lovely set of aspects to the Nodes of fate so do pay attention to who arrives or leaves your life today. They could be important. Triangles and affairs can be exposed as Pluto squares Juno. She used to hunt down Jupiter’s mistresses ~ never holding him accountable. Today as Pluto squares her, she will look at the choices she has made to stay in partnerships that don’t serve her and wonder why. The good news is the world spins forward. The bad news is once you are conscious, you can’t go back. Or, perhaps that could be amended ~ you COULD choose to not pay attention to what you are feeling and learning today. However, it won’t get better. It will just get worse. It is the Hammer of Thor ~ it demands that you see and fight for what you need, love, desire or want. Speak up! No points for pain. At the end of the day, there is an option to create and love. Take advantage of it ~ Venus is connected with the Nodes of fate, inviting you to step in and show up. Believe. That is all we have. That and love.
Sunday, Sun’s day August 14 Moon shifts into Pisces early in the day offering us a peaceful, restful energy. The Hammer is starting to separate. The passions are shifting and dropping and changing ~ softening. Take the day and enjoy the restful energy. Take time to review where you are in your life. Think about where you would like to be. Rest. Listen to your soul whisper in your ear. Give yourself spaciousness today. Be kind to you.
Mundane: Mars in security seeking Cancer will continue to roil the stock markets, especially mid-week, as he moves through the t-square from last summer and finds himself ruled by depressed Moon in Capricorn. It would be interesting if the markets collapsed THIS summer. Many astrologers, myself included, forecasted a major collapse LAST summer ~which never happened. Now with Mercury retrograde and opposite to Neptune the bubble collapses? The economy is a bit of a house of cards…. Waiting for that slight push which sends it over the edge.
Copyright © 2011 A.C. Ortelee
