Aquarium Age, Blogs

The Aquarium Age: Aug. 13-20

By Ralfee Finn

Robin Williams:

He channeled the universe.
And in those moments of his astounding wit,
as we choked on our laughter, barely able to catch our breath,
he managed to make us feel safe despite the chaos of existence.
I wish he could have experienced that same comfort.

It’s really difficult knowing how to present the current patterns in the sky without delving into a multitude of current events on Earth. And because life on Earth is so rife with violence, rooting around in all the places where human suffering is so extreme is simply depressing. And writing an upbeat column delineating positive planetary potential in the midst of the madness takes extra effort. (My personal avoidance tactic would be binge-watching Battlestar Galactica–again.) A couple of months ago, one reader wrote to tell me she was tired of my unrelenting negativity, and all I could do was wonder whether she watched the news—and the news is far worse now than it was then. Each week, as the world careens out of control and the chaos increases, finding the positive angle on the negative underpinnings gets harder and harder. (Yes…I am complaining, but I am not whining. And I’m not going to give up writing each week.) I just want to be honest about how difficult it is for all of us to find our way through the current situation. We need more than the stars to guide a path to peace.

At the core of the conundrum is the inherent neutrality of the planets. The planets do not determine value—we do. This week, the heavenly fire of last week burns even more brightly. The Sun/Uranus trine continues to support self-expression, innovation, and a need for independence. But this week, the Moon joins the Sun/Uranus combination as it moves through Aries for the next couple of days, ramping up the emotional component, an escalation that could lead to fussing and fighting for their own sake. What’s more, a Venus/Jupiter, conjunction, also in Leo, amplifies this already potent force, adding the possibility of excess and exaggeration. The entire aggregation is about passion. But a word of warning: Passion isn’t synonymous with compassion. And how this concentration of planetary fervor manifests is ultimately a value issue: The planets have the potential to inspire positive, creative solutions or to further ignite situations that are already burning out of control. The choice is ours.

By Monday, Mars begins a conjunction with Saturn that is exact on August 25 and lasts until September 4. This is a difficult planetary signature to handle well. Mars signifies self-assertion and taking a stand for one’s self. Saturn signifies authority and limitation. When they occupy the same position, the outcome tends toward conflict, especially as Mars attempts to move beyond the confines of Saturn’s discipline. Yet while this conjunction is infamous as a pernicious influence, it also has a positive piece. Again, we encounter the conundrum. A Mars/Saturn conjunction can be used in a callous manner by aiming its repressed energy at others. Or that same energy can be used for incredible concentration, determination, and precision. Again, it is our choice how the planetary pattern plays out.

One way to understand the mess we are in is to realize that the previous social structures of our societies no longer support the façade of day-to-day reality. The underpinnings are not only revealed, they are exposed: anger, violence, greed, hatred, and fear seem to prevail. But it is essential to see these aspects of human nature as symptoms of a much deeper issue; they are symptoms of separation. When we believe that we are separate from each other as well as separate from the world we share with all sentient beings, we think we have a license to do harm because we do not realize we are only harming ourselves.

On this free will planet, individual choices coalesce and determine the collective narrative. With that in mind, do your best to handle the astral fire with wisdom and skill. And even if it presents a personal challenge, do your best to be of peace.

Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that, too.

Aries March 21-April 19
It isn’t really possible to lose momentum—this creative fire is too potent to burn out quickly. So rather than gloss over important areas, take your time and pay attention to the details. They are necessary to ensuring your success, and handling them now rather than later will only enhance your efforts.

Taurus April 20-May 20
Allow the fervor of your insight and intuition to transform into action. Listen to your dreams, feel the heat of your passion, and allow yourself to plan and make your next move. Listen to significant others who offer advice you’d rather not heed, and rather than react, distill the wisdom from their words and integrate it into your plan.

Gemini May 21-June 21
It’s an opportune moment to join with others and put your ideas into motion. You could meet with opposition, but if you use your innate ability to filter through charged opinions in an effort to find the grain of truth, you’ll handle any controversy with ease. And that will help you to guide the group effort toward a common goal.

Cancer June 22-July 22
Spend this creative fire wisely but refusing to squander it on unimportant endeavors that won’t yield long-term benefits. I’m not suggesting that you curb your enthusiasm; I’m simply advising you to handle it with skill so that your efforts return positive results.

Leo July 23-August 22
Continue to let your light shine brightly and allow that charismatic glow to light the way. Of course, you can let self-doubt create free-floating or specific anxiety, but that wouldn’t be the wisest use of your energy. Be joyous, grateful, and glad, and your happiness will only increase.

Virgo August 23-September 22
Do your best to maintain your inner equilibrium and let your internal balance inform your external actions and reactions. Even if you encounter what feels like harsh criticism, pay it no mind. No one knows better than you what your motivations and intentions truly are.

Libra September 23-October 22
The secret of your success lies in your ability to be genuinely happy for the success of others. That doesn’t mean you won’t be successful. I’m simply advising you to be generous of spirit because a big-hearted approach will heal a multitude of prickly situations.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
Pay careful, even meticulous attention to the details as you consider work and career opportunities. Here’s the rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. But right now you have a chance to make choices with long-range positive results, which means you should consider every option.

Sagittarius November 22-December 21
Try not to let negative thinking interfere with your positive perspective. Sure, there are bound to be obstacles, but if you dwell on what’s wrong, you’ll only increase your anxiety. Apply the first rule of magic: Whatever we focus our attention on becomes our reality.

Capricorn December 22-January 19
Find a comfortable personal pace that can help you move with greater ease through all the changes that just don’t seem to cease. You don’t have to hurry up and wait nor do you have to take it at a snail’s pace. Find a rhythm that makes you happy and you’ll have a better time managing the ebb and the deluge of the day.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
Let the dialogue continue, and as it does, allow yourself to listen closely to what’s being said. This is an invitation to hear significant others, both personal and professional, at a deeper level. Not every word or every idea will be a revelation, but some of what’s said will move you, deeply.

Pisces February 19-March 20
There are real, tangible opportunities to make money, but taking advantage of those moments requires concentration and discipline. Make a commitment to doing whatever it takes to actualize your ambitions and you’ll make solid strides to creating the abundance you long for.

Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-888-937-9264, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail ralfee@aquariumage.com.
Copyright © 2014 by Ralfee Finn

This article was originally published on August 14, 2014.