I watched an interview with a Wynonna Judd last night and she was talking about how the gift of her singing and her music has always been pulling her through hard times in her life because it nourished her. That got me thinking…How is that for me? What is my gift and what do I enjoy doing most?

I have Venus in my first house and this lady has always been one of the strongest guiding forces in my life. I have been a jeweler for over 30 years (creating beauty) as well as an astrologer (with an eye for potential and fulfilling joy) and a teacher and coach with many healing modalities like gemstones, colors, NLP, breath work, oneness blessings and meditation. I could say my gift is my eye for beauty and a passion for love.

What is Your Gift?

What are you good at? Are you a good listener? Do you like to create beauty and order around you?  Are you compassionate and loving? Are you good with numbers? Or do you have a clear and practical mind? It seems like that what you are good at gives you joy and satisfaction and therefore the eternal quest to find out who you are is essentially a quest for more joy and happiness in your life.

For some people it seems so easy to establish what their gift is if they are musicians, sport players, actors or if they have found some kind of recognition, success and fame with their inner calling. Then it is obvious. But how about us “normal people”? If you would know about your special gifts would you feel more certain and inspired to pursue your dreams and hopes through hardship and challenges?

I believe that would be the case and astrology might play a supporting role to find out more about yourself and changing your hope into some form of expectation how well things will have to turn out for you. I assume you have found your way to this article about astrology because you are interested in who you are and how you can align yourself with the cosmic universal forces for some kind of personal gain. It could be for more understanding of yourself and your place in this mysterious universe or you think you might be able to read the future and be better prepared for it.

Your Horoscope is Your Guide

Your personal horoscope is a map of your potential gifts, qualities and shows the direction your journey in this life will take. You can use it to trust your own abilities and keep believing in yourself in hard times. You can also use it to motivate yourself and expect only the highest manifestation of the astrological principles in your life and then allow the law of attraction to bring it to you.

You could compare your chart to a seed of an apple tree. The potential of the apple tree is already there; all the information which is needed for the seed to grow into a big apple tree is in the seed. But for the seed to grow into a healthy big tree it needs more then that. It needs a fertile ground, enough water, the right amount of sun and shade and ample nutrients.

It is the same for us. We are born with a specific blueprint and potential of qualities which we might manifest or not throughout our life. We might not have had the proper and ideal conditions growing up to tap easily into our full potential. But as an adult we can consciously choose the right nutrition and support we need to grow and unfold into our highest potential and find the gifts in there. We can grow into the most beautiful big apple tree when we become our own gardeners.

And the gifts and qualities you have might unfold in different ways and take different forms at different times in your life. Consciousness is the key to unlock your highest potential and guide your steps towards the joyous experience of living your best life. So go and get a reading with somebody you trust and give yourself that gift of expanding your self image and support consciously your inner growth process. Even if you already had an astrological reading you might get another one from a different astrologer and a different view point. Use the reading as a mirror of where you are in your process of unfolding and as support for that. If you like my approach to astrology I do readings on Skype which is a lot of fun and a way to visit me here on Maui for a short time. Or go and find somebody else you trust to help you with the ancient wisdom provided by astrology.

The Time Quality of the Moment of Now

And then we can use the astrology of the current moment to bring awareness of the time quality and its infusion of specific energy into our personal situation.

This week’s astrological highlights are:
•    Saturn square Pluto
•    Jupiter sextile to Pluto
•    Venus conjunction with Neptune and Chiron
•    Moon in Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius

Saturn Square Pluto

I discussed this constellation last week because it was exact on January 31 and we will be talking about it for some time because this is the second conjunction of these powerful players. The first one was in November 15 last year and the third and final meeting will be August 21, 2010.
This conjunction is of high significance because both of the most feared and unloved astrological principles are involved with each other in a hard aspect. We experience the structures (Saturn) dissolving (Pluto) around us and most of the time that is painful and scary. It plays out in our society, government, economy and corporate world.

Even if we know that in the bigger picture it is good to renew and regenerate out of the old it is not a process we usually enjoy. The earth quake in Haiti is another manifestation of structures and form dissolving and crumbling and the people involved certainly didn’t enjoy that one.

Jupiter Sextile to Pluto

The Jupiter sextile with Pluto on February 6 is bringing new hope and insights about how we can turn loss into gain and give some meaning to the pain. We are invited to broaden our perspective with wise Jupiter in compassionate Pisces. And we can decide how we want to help others to lighten their burden. I think the willingness of people to help the victims in Haiti has been amazing and is an expression of this higher perspective and the inner knowing of connectedness of all life.

Venus Conjunction with Neptune and Chiron

Sweet Venusian love is inspired with this Neptune and Chiron connection. It is not just reserved for the significant other; it evolves out of that human oneness of spirit and all life. Feeling love is what we are all after and we can use any imaginable excuse to feel that expanded state of being. If you feel love when you sit with your cat on your lap or walk your dog that is wonderful. You can feel love making love with your partner, visiting your family for a weekend or having your girlfriends over for a clothe swap event; it does not really matter how you get there.

The healer Chiron is bringing soothing and healing energies to your heart and its wounds. Self love and compassion is a crucial ingredient to be able to let that love flow and come into other manifestations in your life. Be selfish this week and be in love!

Moon in Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius

The Moon is our emotional filter and orientation in the world. We are in the waning quarter of the Moon turning us energetically inwards. With the Moon in Virgo we can filter out the most important pieces for our well being and put things in perspective. With the Moon in Libra but in conjunction with Pluto we might feel challenged and knocked off balance in the middle of the week. The Scorpion Moon goes right ahead with psychological acuity and may help to uncover hidden secrets or overlooked aspects. The last quarter square between the abstract Sun in Aquarius and the deeply emotional Moon in Scorpio will underscore the tense relationship between the real and the ideal vision we are striving for.
And then the Sagittarian Moon will lift us up into a wider perspective and help to put our worries behind us and focus ahead with optimism.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s musings and this little journey into the mysteries of the universe. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens you can sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author
Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. My book will teach you about astrology and how to read the blueprint of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support and balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry— how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

I believe our relationships and the experience of love and connection are the most relevant in our lives right beside food and shelter. Babies will die if they are not touched and loved, no matter how much food you offer them. In the history of humankind we have lived most of the time in tribal or extended family situations. The single life style we know nowadays seems to be so normal to us but is not fulfilling for our soul and deeper layers of our human nature.

A whole industry around love and romance has evolved to nourish that part in us but often leaves us empty and with an unrealistic expectation that if we only find the ONE we will be happy and fulfilled. All our longing for connection and love is projected onto that ideal of the perfect lover. And we all know how well that works out most of the time.

Maybe we need more then the ONE. Maybe we need a network of close friends, family, room mates and other tribal like connections for a healthy spirit. The question is how well do you take care for yourself and make an effort for that connectedness and feeling of oneness? I would love to hear your thoughts about this.

The Inner Man and Inner Woman in Astrology
And we do carry an inner image of an inner man and inner woman inside of us with very specific needs and desires. You can determine through the position of Moon and Venus for the feminine, and Sun and Mars for the masculine and their position in your horoscope what it is your soul needs. Our first relation with father and mother is represented by Sun and Moon and obviously is the most important and revealing patterning and conditioning we will ever have. In a way all later relationships will be somehow in reaction to that first experience.

It is not necessarily true that as a woman we marry our father or the other way round. For example I married a man who is presenting me with many structures which are familiar to me through my mother. An astrological reading can give you deep insight into your inner dynamics around love and relating and that higher awareness will make your friendships and love relationships more fulfilling for you. Most people I have met in my life have some painful or even traumatizing experiences in their childhood and in our maturation process throughout our lives we all have to deal with that to achieve lasting joy and happiness.

As humans we are on a spiritual journey of raising our awareness to higher levels of consciousness and to do that we use what ever history and conditioning we got in the best way possible. Or as my spiritual therapist once said to me: You don’t like your problems? Would you like to have a different set? It just cracked me up. I convulsed into laughter.

In Neuro Linguistic Programming we say that everybody always acts on their best choice available. So if those available choices suck we need to raise our consciousness to find a different perspective and therefore different choices. A problem is never solved on the level of the problem. It is always from a Meta level, that higher perspective we need to find so solutions can arise. Astrology is a fantastic way for you to gain that higher perspective and therefore better choices. And a personal astrological reading can open unimagined doors for you.

This weeks highlights with a Full Moon in playful Leo and the Venus Mars opposition it is an invitation to take care for your inner child and its needs as well as more awareness for your relationship dance.

• Full Moon in Leo
• Venus Opposition Mars
• Sun Opposition Mars
• Saturn Square Pluto

Full Moon in Leo on Friday & Sun Opposition Mars
A Full Moon is always a Sun opposition Moon and this month it is happening in proximity of the Mars opposition. The Sun is shedding light onto our emotions and life force drive, our assertive nature. Leo is a fire sign where it is all about the self expression, creativity, self image, joy, play and romance. The opposing sign of Aquarius brings the qualities of the well being of the collective, the supporting qualities of friendships and connection with like minded souls to the table. The contrast between passionate intimacy and independence as well as individual desires and the collective good wants to be examined.

The sign of Leo and Aquarius both have a strong sense of individuality, need for independence and freedom in common. Both can take care for others from that place of inner strength in a higher expression of their qualities. Leo can be the gifted leader who takes charge and guides. Aquarius known as the rebel directs towards the higher vision of a society based on equality and freedom. Both signs can be very involved beyond their own ego gratification.

The Full Moon in Leo also invites the inner child to come and play more. The closeness of Mars fuels passionate emotions and desires which brings us to Venus and Mars the eternal lovers.

Venus Opposition Mars
Venus the goddess of love and harmony, Mars the warrior and lover are in the opposing signs of Aquarius and Leo as well. The opposition in astrology is a hard aspect which carries the most exposure of the differences of the involved signs. I like to see oppositions in Synastry charts because they carry the potential of integration and acceptance of the otherness. Oppositions are exposing the problem and challenge us into finding the connecting point of oneness in the middle. Both signs have something valuable to offer in finding that place of balance in the middle.

Saturn Square Pluto
This constellation will be with us throughout the year and is the culprit for all the economical upheaval and restructuring we are facing.

Whenever Pluto is part of an astrological constellation we are confronted with a powerful, potent, extremely forceful and transforming influence. Pluto known as the God of the underworld is a very mighty God who forces us into change and deep processes of transformation. Whenever there is a connection with this culprit of death, unrest and alteration we are forced to deepen our self awareness. Unresolved issues of desire and control are exposed and without our attention could trigger strong reactions and backlash onto us.
Pluto in Capricorn is questioning the validity of hierarchy and governments and judges on the ground of what works for the majority of people. Societal Structures that won’t work for the highest good of all will not survive Pluto’s transit through Capricorn.

The movie AVATAR is showing the relentless violence of corporate greed and the extent it is willing to go and extinguish other cultures and lives for profit. The movie shows that it only takes a few who change their state of consciousness to make a difference. We all can make that difference. I loved that movie!

The exposure of the worst manipulations in power structures of all kinds, in politics, concerning our government, corporate America and the stock market; we will see more of that. This is a time of exposure of the worst and with that there is the chance to acknowledge our deficiencies, to truly change and start anew. We are living in exciting times.

In times like these it is important to keep our own balance and as an antidote to fear and anxieties we can center in our compassion and sense of oneness. When we rise in consciousness and approach life from an awareness of what we have to offer and contribute to others around us, we can make a significant difference. When we come from a place of an open and flowering heart we will feel full and abundant. If we approach life from that abundance the law of attraction will bring more of the same to us.

And you can use gemstones like Rose Quartz, Rubellite or Ruby for the heart to recover from emotional trauma and support your personal inner journey towards healing.

Rubellite Has the Frequency of Mars, Venus, Sun, and Neptune
“The Rubellite, the pink Tourmaline, represents a lover of mankind, one who loves unconditionally and teaches us self-love. Self-love is often difficult to achieve. We know our weaknesses and dark side all too well and thus we are often most unforgiving and hard on ourselves. Beginning in childhood we learn to reject and negate a large part of our nature, especially our need for love and acceptance within the family. We resign ourselves to making do without those deep needs and we give up vital parts of ourselves.

The Rubellite heals and strengthens us, helping us to recover those lost aspects of our nature. With its help we learn to love ourselves as we are, in our individuality and beauty.  Rubellite helps us to grow and nourish our own needs. As adults we have the ability to care for ourselves in ways we were not able to do in childhood. We can express our wishes and needs in alignment with our whole being. From that place of self-love and alignment we want to share and give to the world. The Rubellite opens us up to the abundant love that flows through us in all that we do. Our heart is open to joy and exaltation.

Venus and Mars rule the Rubellite in all their different facets. Venus is the goddess of love, harmony, and beauty. She is the muse to artists in all their endeavors. Mars is the pioneer, the warrior who is called to action. Together they help our creativity to be manifested on the earthly plane. They give us the courage and self-esteem to dare to be creative.

Venus and Mars are also eternal lovers. They help us through difficult times in our relationships. They remind us that the bond of love endures beyond all the difficulties that inevitably surface when two personalities merge. It is through our relationship with our intimate partner that we are challenged to grow and examine our behavior and our beliefs. With the solid foundation of love and friendship with our partner, we have the potential to rise out of difficult times like the Phoenix arising from the ashes.” (Taken from my book Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul)

I hope you enjoyed this little journey into the mysteries of the universe. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens, I like to invite you to sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Signs Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

You can learn more about the metaphysical properties of 67 different gemstones through my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. My book will teach you about astrology and how to read the blueprint of your own chart. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support and balance yourself with your 12 personal healing gemstones. Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery is a treasure chest of ideas about Soul Jewelry— how to select, purchase, and wear jewelry that will enhance your body, heart, mind, and soul.

With the Solar Eclipse right in front of our eyes, we do know something auspicious is going on and we might feel touched by the magnificence of the universe and its mysterious ways of working. I live on Maui and when I look up at the night sky I am actually able to see the stars. I love doing that! A girl friend of mine loves to travel with her husband to Solar Eclipses around the world; he actually proposed to her on one of their first trips! Is there something magical going on with Solar Eclipses? Why is it obviously touching our human soul and spirit?

When you imagine how much radiation we receive daily from the electromagnetic energy output from the Sun it is easy to understand that the interruption from that energy stream of radiation from the center of consciousness in our universe will have an impact onto our consciousness and lives. Twice a year, the Sun, Moon and Earth align exactly the way that the constant stream of radiation from the Sun is blocked and there is partial or total darkness. This is bound to have an impact on us.

Think about it. We are energy beings made of energy swirling around on sub atomic levels creating our physical bodies. It is not hard to realize the intricate and fragile balance our life as we know it, needs to continue. Of course every shift in the magnetic radiation through Sun Flares and Eclipses will have an impact.

Therefore it is said that the Solar Eclipses are altering our consciousness with fresh energy. It is like rebooting your computer after the electricity has been down. Solar Eclipses are therefore extremely powerful New Moons and this time it is all happening in Capricorn along with four other planets beside the Sun and Moon. The last time this Solar Eclipse has happened in Capricorn was nineteen years ago in January 1991. I do not remember anything specific happening for me so long back; my memory will not do that. But I am a different person now anyway and the surrounding astrological constellations are very different.

We had a quiet beginning the first two weeks of this year. But now the heavenly stars are making up for it with a big bang.  The year is gearing up to a new level of consciousness with the Solar Eclipse on January 14 – 15, 2010. This is accompanied by a close conjunction with Venus and two planets changing direction around this eclipse; Saturn is turning retrograde and Mercury direct.

Astrology Gives You an Advantage

For me astrology is an elegant way to become more conscious of myself in the magnificence of life in its ever changing cycles and rhythms. I feel embedded in the safe knowledge of accountability of the movements of the stars throughout the skies and have the reassuring feeling of participating in an orderly functioning and therefore secure universe. As an astrologer I know about the specifics and particularities of the planetary constellations and their meaning which helps me to align myself with the universal forces and use them to my benefit. It is easier to release struggles and resistance against the irresistible and it also puts a time frame onto hard times. Understanding and a higher state of consciousness always gives me more of a choice and thus a chance to influence and set the stage to my advantage.

The highlights of the plentiful activities in this week are:

• Sun Conjunction Venus on January 13
• Saturn Turning Retrograde January 13
• New Moon/ Solar Eclipse in Capricorn in Conjunction with Venus on January 15
• Mercury Turning Direct on January 15
• Jupiter into Pisces on January 17

Sun Conjunction Venus on January 13
The Sun is reflecting our consciousness, our self identity and self image. It is one of the male representatives in astrology and thus can be seen as authority or father. Venus, the goddess of love and harmony, one of the female players softens the edges and brings kindness and compassion. This is a nice lead into the Eclipse for conscious alignment with greater kindheartedness and well intentions.

Saturn Turning Retrograde January 13
Saturn always had a bad reputation in astrology till astrologers like Liz Green shed new light and a different perspective onto the much needed qualities of Saturn. She was breaking new ground in looking at Saturn as a deepening and truly beneficiary actor in the chart. Saturn is playing a tremendously important role for us right now through February 2010 with the square to Pluto within 2 degrees.

The Outer World Reflects the Inner World!
When Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn turns retrograde we need to reassess the inner dimensions associated with Capricorn. We have to redefine our goals, coalitions, and roles to clarify our values and where we want to go. Usually we are easily ready to assign blame to outer structures; the failing economy, the corrupted government and the machinations of the corporate world. With Saturn retrograde till May 30 we are assigned to take a look into our own stuff inside. The outer world reflects the inner world! With that we have the responsibility to gain as much clarity (Saturn) as possible, mature and decide on new ways and implement them in our life. And that is a very powerful place. We can change the world, one step at a time within our reach.

New Moon/ Solar Eclipse in Capricorn in Conjunction with Venus on January 15
Again this Solar Eclipse is special because of the Venus conjunction and the two female players, Moon and Venus hand in hand. If the feminine principle in general is one of giving and nourishing life this Eclipse sets the tone of a very encouraging and soul enriching direction to embark on.

Mercury in Capricorn & Conjunction with Pluto is Turning Direct on January 15
With the short term Pluto conjunction squaring Saturn we have a jump start of true inquiry and inner realization. With the help of Mercury, the mythical messenger in his forward motion we have more skills in implementing insights and lay the groundwork for new and transformative real solutions. No more scapegoats and band-aid solutions are acceptable. We need true and honest assessments of what is and act accordingly for the greater good. You might ask yourself:

• What does that mean for you?
• What has ripened in the retrograde motion of Mercury for you to be exposed and acted on now?

Jupiter into Pisces on January 17
Jupiter moves into Pisces shortly after the Eclipse and will remain there till June 5. 2010. Jupiter rules Sagittarius and is the largest planet in our solar system. He represents the principle of expansion, the search for truth, wisdom, deeper meaning and understanding of the bigger picture. Pisces on the other hand is the twelfth sign of the zodiac and deals with the subtle, the non physical realm, the metaphysical, meditation, dreams, imagination, art and the oneness of our true nature.

Jupiter in Pisces can guide you into expansion in all these areas and enhance qualities as compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation and enhance your inner connection with the Divine. Out of that miracles are possible!

The Moon’s passage on Sunday over healing Chiron, then over Neptune is enhancing the potential of a new understanding with its brief conjunction with Jupiter in Pisces. All these discussed planetary constellations are somehow tied in with this Solar Eclipse and raise hope for another step in the right direction. True change and evolution happens in miniature steps invisible to the human eye. Astrology is just one way to gain the overview and a deeper understanding over the dynamic of the unfolding of events and history, but a very valid one.

This week’s astrological potential sets the tone for the coming year and ignites hope and a new light of consciousness for the truth of our oneness and divine origin.

I hope you enjoyed this little journey into the mysteries of the universe. If you like to stay informed on the daily astrological events in the heavens, I like to invite you to sign up for my free weekly newsletter, the Astrological Weather Report. I discuss the actual astrological qualities of the moment and inspire you to use them wisely for a life full of success, joy and inner growth.

Aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

Shakti Carola Navran has been an astrological coach, jeweler, spiritual teacher and healer for over 30 years. She has studied with many different spiritual teachers. Her practice spans hypnotherapy, meditation, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and healing with gemstones. She creates beautiful jewelry for the soul and spirit at her studio on Maui, Hawaii, and is the author of Jewelry & Gems for Self Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul.

We have a very active astrological week ahead of us with many significant events spicing it up. The astrological forecast for this week is from November 2 to 8, 2009. But even if you found this article searching for the meaning of specific astrological aspects you will find great value in the following discussion.

Putting on the astrological glasses will help us to tune ourselves to the universal flow and instead of struggling and resisting against what life offers to us, we can be smart and adjust according to the cosmic requirements. The key to happiness and success is always the level of consciousness and awareness we are able to access. In NLP – Neuro Linguistic Programming we say that the solution for a problem is never to be found on the level of the problem. It is found on the Meta level, the next level of awareness which gives us the higher perspective and a more unique and creative approach from there.

Full Moon in Taurus on Monday the 2nd
Full Moon is always opposing the Sun and therefore getting full light exposure and a high level of consciousness with that. The waxing and waning of the Moon throughout the month, the Moon’s path around the Sun, is directly connected with our inner emotional tides and have to do with our gut reactions to people or events around us. Both signs of the Sun and the Moon are activated and need to be looked at for deeper insights.

The Sun in Scorpio is the most intensive month of the year with the challenging, passionate, extreme and transforming energy Scorpio represents. Decisions we have put off, areas of our life we tried to ignore will rear their ugly heads and confront us. But it seems that somehow we always rise to the occasion and deal with the emergencies and problems presented to us by life. It seems like life is the best and most patient spiritual teacher we have. If we don’t get the lesson the first time it doesn’t really matter, we will be presented with it again and again till we get it. There is nothing we can do wrong, no wrong choice or decision we can make, in the bigger picture it is all good. We are here to just experience ourselves in the endless creative circle of life with all these different ways to go and things to try out.

The Full Moon offers us a clear perspective into the emotional unfolding of what has begun with the New Moon. It is the high point, the pinnacle of that emotional theme and way we tend to approach life throughout the month. With the Full Moon in Taurus we are reminded of the joy we have within our body, through the body. Taurus is sensual and very physical. His approach to life is very practical and earthy. You are invited to celebrate the temple of your soul with a massage, a sweat lodge, a hot bath or Jacuzzi or love making with your significant one. It is a time to give thanks and feel gratitude for what that body of yours is giving you and enabling you to do.

For the spiritual beings we are, we need this physical container to participate in the experience of being human and what a joy that can be.

Sun Mercury Conjunction on Thursday the 5th
The Scorpio Sun will be in conjunction with Mercury. It will intensify our willingness to take a deep look into what is the truth of the moment and confront our inner demons. Mercury is representing our mind and mental approach and filter to the world. Mercury in Scorpio is willing to confront uncomfortable areas or people we need to take a stand with. How could you use this to your advantage? Think about which area in your life would benefit from that deep inquiry into truth? Where could you use a little more courage and support to confront what needs to be looked at?

Venus Enters Scorpio on Saturday the 7th
And then there is Venus, the goddess of love, harmony and beauty moving on into Scorpio as well. With that we will have 3 planets Sun, Mercury and Venus in Scorpio for a while. I would think that this particular combination will stir things up in our relationships. Whatever is not right and true will be exposed to the light of the Sun, the deeper look of Mercury and the high standards of Venus. It might not be very comfortable to allow that to happen, but resistance is futile…We will do better by consciously aligning ourselves with the theme and pay attention to our family and loved ones.

Remember what it was that attracted you to your partner in the beginning. What was it about him or her that excited you? Look back at the length of time of your life you have shared with that person and how he or she has contributed to your growth and becoming the person you are today. Take a day off together and go somewhere and do something special, something different then usual. Invite the unexpected and new into your life. Treat your relationship like a plant with a beautiful flower. It will need proper sun light (awareness), water (feelings) and nutrition (fun, intimacy, autonomy, inspiration, growth and good sex) just like a plant.

In the bigger picture this is just the beginning of more awareness in the relationship arena with Saturn who has just entered Libra for a 2 ½ year stint.

Neptune Turning Direct
And last not least we have Neptune turning direct on Wednesday the 4th. Whenever a planet turns direct it will take a little time for the new energy flow to adjust to the new direction. A planet moving direct is more present and available with its energy. Neptune is a planet which is kind of diffuse, nebulous and hard to grasp consciously to begin with. A retrograde Neptune is not so easy to integrate. Neptune connects us with the collective sub consciousness, the undercurrent, the truth of oneness which is below our conscious day to day perspective and the fullest potential of dreams and possibilities. We can expect now to connect easier with our dreams and visions and take steps of action.

We can apply this to our relationships as well. We can sit down with our partner or a journal and tap into the deepest level of our longing and dreams we treasure in our heart. What is it you are really looking for in a relationship? What qualities are a “must have”? Is it important for you how somebody looks? Or what really is it you need, desire and cannot be without?

This is a lot of fun to do and share with your partner or a friend. Here is the gemstone to play with for this week. It is not an expensive stone and one of the more rare and unknown specimens.

Apatite is the Gemstone for the Week
Apatite is a beautiful stone occurring in a great variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The more common colors are the yellow-greenish hues. The crystals are hexagonal and short; it may also be found in the form of a cat’s eye. Its origins include Burma, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. It is not a good stone to set into rings because it is brittle and has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs’ scale, which is relatively soft, making it not rugged enough for a ring.

Apatite has a pleasing shine and a very soft, warm, and soothing radiance.
Its soft light sets up a healing, nourishing energy flow between the solar plexus and the heart chakra. In strengthening our own creative expression in alignment with the heart, it helps us to create and express ourselves from our deepest truth. In this sense this is a stone for artists and people who want to activate the energy of the solar plexus chakra (the “power” chakra) to achieve their innermost dreams.

The blue Apatite connects the heart with the throat chakra. We learn to find and speak our own inner truth with courage. We trust the guidance of our higher self and take the first step towards our dreams and visions. We allow ourselves to be in the exhilarating creative flow of life and enjoy the ride.

The great variety of colors of Apatite reminds us of the importance of our inner as well as outer abundance. – (taken from my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul)

As you can tell I am very passionate about the abilities of the healing gemstones as healing allies for our journey. I have even written a book about it and the connection with astrology.  In my book I teach you how to read your astrological chart and recognize your main themes and challenges. If you know where your challenges are, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with gemstones or other means.
I hope you enjoyed reading my article, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.
Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

We are living in exciting times! Many of us have the sense that there is something deeply screwed up in the societal structures and we do need fundamental change to happen. The comforting thought is that as humans we usually rise to the occasion if challenged enough. Well, we are challenged!

Astrology is a brilliant way to have an overview of the cosmic flow and finding meaning and maybe better choices for ourselves. This New Moon is definitely pretty impressive with its challenges and potential. We are looking today at the time frame of September 18 to 20, 2009 and as said before you can also get benefit of the described constellation if you have those in your personal chart and just want to find out more about it.

New Moon is in a Close Conjunction with Sun and Mercury
This New Moon is special because it ties in with a Sun, Saturn and Mercury conjunction all happening in opposition to Uranus. A New Moon always presents a new start out of a time of regeneration. In earthy Virgo it feeds the collective struggle to raise our consciousness to the occasion. The Mercury is retrograde and might have a tendency to slip back into old ideas and is opposing the new paradigm of Uranus. And then we have all that Virgo energy with four planets in the sign I commented on in my last post.

Saturn is also in  Conjunction with the New Moon
Virgo has the message for us to pay attention, focus, simplify, consolidate and find a healthy balance within our means. Saturn is with us for the ride and teaches us honesty with ourselves and tightening the belt. Saturn is a master to adjust to dire circumstances and make the best out of them. We sure can learn to live without the newest cell phone or gadget. The consumerism we take for granted is part of the trouble we face with the global warming and the missing conscience in the corporate world. We might not be able to directly impact the bigger situation but we can contribute in our own little way. We are the grass roots of the grass roots movement! We can make a difference as individuals with where and how we spend our money and how we deal with others.

Uranus Opposition
Uranus is the rebel, the visionary, the one who brings in the new and innovative spirit of change. He opposes the tradition and hierarchic structure and Saturn is representing just that. This is the third out of five opposition between these two players. The next two will be in April 26, 2010 and July, 2010 so we will have time to integrate. This Saturn Uranus opposition is only happening every 40 years or so and always corresponds to worldwide political, social and economical change. The last meeting was in the mid sixties, a very inspiring and turbulent period was setting the tone for tremendous changes. –Make Love not War– was the slogan of the time and the beginning of the end of the war in Vietnam and a huge movement for peace all over the world.

With the New Moon and the Sun illuminating the shadow and the good parts of both, the rebel and the mythic reaper are exposed in their contrast of hierarchy and grass root movement, entitlement versus freedom and equality, and entrenchment and progress.

People with planets in 20 to 30 degree in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces will feel these oppositions very personal and acutely.

Sun Square Pluto
This all coincides with the square of the Sun to Pluto on September 20, 2009. We know Pluto as the transformer and God of the Underworld. Deep transformation and inner alchemy is his trademark. Remember that a square is a hard and challenging aspect and requires our attention.

All in all you can see that we are living in true times of changes. I think the most important decision we can make is to not give in to fear. We can choose to orient ourselves towards positive thoughts about something in our life. We have the power to direct our thoughts and lift our spirit whenever we pay conscious attention. I have talked about making joy a spiritual practice and how you can guide yourself towards higher feelings in earlier articles.

Suggestion
If we use the information we can gain from the planets in the heavens, we can take appropriate action. And with Virgo we are guided to be smart, make adjustments, take care for the details in our own life but also ask ourselves some questions of how we can be useful for the bigger whole and what it is we have to contribute. Where can we concentrate and focus to prioritize or set limits. What are your goals in life? Where do you see yourself in five years down the road? Or next year?

I have done fabulous work with Tony Robbins in his Life Mastery University. He is a coach who works with goal setting, how to take action and follow through with your plans. I love his work. His book –Unlimited Power –is a classic and as helpful for us now as it ever was.
And there are many Seminars, DVD or CD programs of his available you might enjoy.

Now I like to invite you to sit with a cup of tea and your journal and think about it. Everything ever manifested has been an idea first. Our plans take form through the filter of our energetic blueprint and thoughts. Idea plus action culminates in a result. Writing in your journal is planting the seeds for things to come.

So I hope you enjoy this time with yourself and write down your concerns, fears, hopes and dreams. There is magic in writing a journal. It serves as an inquiry into deeper levels of your consciousness, sharpens your self perception and keeps you honest with yourself. It is a friend who just mirror your feelings and thoughts without judgment or reactivity.

The Gem for the Day is the Chrysocolla
I have chosen the Chrysocolla for today because it is not an expensive stone and you can get a sizable chunk either tumbled or rough to put into your pocket or for meditation purposes. It is a good stone to have for his physically balancing qualities especially for the heart.

Chrysocolla has an amorphous (non crystalline) structure and is a fairly soft stone with a Mohs’ hardness of 2 to 4. Its color is a mixture of blue and green. If it is inter grown with Turquoise and Malachite it is called Eilat stone. Because of its opaqueness Chrysocolla channels the high energies of Uranus and makes it available to us on Earth. So it will be a good stone for helping the Uranus energies to integrate with the earthy requirements of Saturn. It might bring moments of eureka and break through in areas least expected.

By connecting the heart with the throat chakra, it helps us to bring to expression our deepest feelings, making this a wonderful stone for writers and artists. Chrysocolla nourishes the heart and balances the emotions. Thus we will be supported to stay on track and not give in to fears.

Chrysocolla reminds us that we are unlimited spiritual beings living a human experience. It helps us to create a beautiful environment around ourselves by allowing us to feel the spirit and connection with minerals, plants and herbs, and the animal kingdom. (Parts taken from my book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones That Delight the Eye & Strengthen the Soul)

If you liked my astrological ramblings I invite you to come back to my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog where I write a regular update on the universal flow in the heavens. I hope you enjoyed reading about the Chrysocolla which is a very beautiful gemstone to help us on our earthly journey. I believe the gems are our allies and special gifts of Mother Earth to help us lift our consciousness and grow.

That is the reason why I am passionate about the healing gemstones as friends on my journey. I have even written a book about it and the connection with astrology: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. In my book I teach you how to read a chart and recognize your main themes and where your main challenges are. If you are illuminated and aware where your challenge and friction is, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with gemstones, if that is something that appeals to you. Or you can take other measures. In the Vedic tradition they also use mantras or rituals to counter balance difficult astrological constellations.
I hope you enjoyed my article, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.
Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

There is lots of conflicted Virgo energy emerging today and we will discuss the planetary backdrop for September 16 and 18, 2009. This discussion of the planets and their dynamics is also applicable whenever you have those planetary constellations in your personal chart.

The Leo Moon conjuncts Venus early morning Tuesday and opposes Neptune which starts the day with a dreamy and gentle energy quiet different then the logically minded Virgo. We have a waning Moon who is heading towards New Moon on Friday. I always like to start my astrological musings with the Moon position. Knowing the sign Lady Moon is in will give us the emotional backdrop and quality for the two and a half days she stays in one sign per month.

The Moon is the fastest planet we astrologers look at to gauge the quality of the moment in time we are interested in. You could look at life as this interrelated dance between our head and belly, our mind and our emotions. Who do you think is the stronger one when pitched against each other? How often do we just react instinctively in the moment without consideration or thinking and feel sorry later?

If you are aware of the emotional background coloring your day, you have a good chance of being more in tune with the flow and more conscious of your choices.

Moon in Virgo
After the gregarious Leo Moon who helped us feeling more confident and courageous in approaching our goals, Moon is stepping into Virgo Tuesday afternoon. Virgo is ruled by Mercury who is going retrograde and therefore back into Virgo on Thursday. Usually when the Moon is in Virgo there is a chance that our logical mind is more in alignment with our feelings. We are cautious in approaching uncharted territory and think before we leap.

As of tomorrow we will have 4 planets in Virgo – the Sun, the Moon, Mercury and Saturn. Let us have a closer look at the principles of Virgo.

Virgo is known as the Analyzer and Organizer
The Sun is in Virgo from August 23 to September 22 and Mercury is the ruling planet. Earth is the element and it is considered feminine. Earth as an element is taking it slow, step by step and gives us a reality check of where we are in the physical world. Planets in earth signs tend to invite thorough examination and lend tools to adjust our plans for manifestations as needed.

By September the summer Sun is fading, and crops are ready to be harvested. Virgos have none of the fiery dominance of their summer predecessor, the Lion. They are more reserved people who don’t boast about themselves or behave flamboyantly. They are quietly reliable, attending to the smallest details of any project in an organized way, making them good lawyers, doctors, and scientists. That trait can be carried to a fault when they fail to see the bigger picture. They are more intelligent and analytical than emotional, which serves them well in complex tasks but may prevent them from establishing deep relationships. Virgos are practical people, good with their hands, and combining those qualities with their attention to detail they could excel in professions as jewelers and dentists.

As you can see with the general mental orientation of this sign, that this Virgo Moon is not very emotionally oriented instead she will lean towards reason and filters her emotions through her mind. Whenever we have several planets in the chart of a person or in the current situation in the heavens, we need to take a closer look and appreciate the qualities it might bring into play. Virgo is an excellent planner with his focus on details and we might as well take advantage of that!

Suggestion
I always sit with a cup of tea and my journal for explorations like this. My journal is my entry way into my innermost thoughts and feelings. I take the time to be with myself and write down thoughts, feelings, ideas, dreams, goals, grievances, and use the time of being my own best friend. Usually I meditate before I open my journal which helps me to come from a deeper place.

What I like you to do today is inquire into your self identity. Who do you think you are? What are you good at? What do you have to contribute to life, to the world, making it a better place? You can start like –- I am a writer. I am an astrologer.
You could be more descriptive like — I am a good writer. I love writing. I am an astrologer who is interested in the alignment and balance to live a more joyful and successful life.—

Just be playful and let it flow. I want you to find out what you identify yourself with easily. Then the next step is to make a list of who you would like to be — I would like to be a successful author of many books helping people to be more conscious of their choices and therefore live a happier life. I like to contribute to the happiness of others. I like to be of use. –

When you have a look at your list you decide where you want to move your attention to first. And then write down 6 reasons why you will be that person and what first steps you are planning to take to get there. Have fun.

Virgo Sun Conjuncts Saturn and is in Opposition with Uranus
Yesterday we discussed the Saturn opposition Uranus and I also pointed you towards earlier article concerning that subject. Today I just want to add the activation through the Sun conjunction Saturn. The Sun in astrology is seen as our self identity, our radiance, and the way we act from our center of awareness, how we approach the world in general. The Sun in the evolution of the zodiac throughout the year shapes the different months very differently in their quality.

Today’s suggestion was for you to get more in touch with the way you look at yourself and probably the way you were describing yourself was in accordance with your Sun position and the ruler of that sign. When the Sun is in a hard aspect to Saturn there always is work to be done. Saturn equals work. Sun – Saturn connections usually bring up fears and anxiety around our self expression when this is happening in a personal chart. With the challenge around our self identity and self expression we learn to find good and solid ways for self expression. Out of that challenge we emerge more self conscious and very well organized in the house the Sun and Saturn reside. It points towards the area of our life where we feel that challenge.

If Saturn is representing restrictions, limits, structures, consolidation as well as our shadows of deficiency, fears and anxiety the Sun will bring light into those areas and will help us to find different ways to recreate ourselves. Saturn can be lived well wherever he shows up in our life with awareness and organization. In the bigger picture for all of us it will sharpen the awareness for abuse of power structures in society and what changes are ahead of us. It will be interesting to watch the news today and see how this theme will be reflected.

The gemstone for this overall constellation for today is Amber.

Amber
–Amber is special because it is the only gemstone that comes to us from the plant world. Amber is the fossilized, hardened resin of pine trees that formed about fifty million years ago. It has an amorphous (non crystalline) structure. It is found in various places, with the largest reserve in Samland, a region of Russia on the Baltic Sea near the border of Poland. Usually the color of amber is in the yellow-orange to brown range, but there are also varieties in white, black, blue, and greenish colors. We refer here to the yellow-orange variety because it is the most common.

Amber has the ability to create static electricity when it is rubbed with a cloth. This ability makes it a healer for harmonizing the electrical fields in and around our physical body. Amber balances our hormonal, nervous, and digestive systems.

Amber belongs to the third chakra, the solar plexus area. Here it softens and releases tensions and the physical manifestations of fears, which may include a tight, sour, or upset stomach.

By connecting us with the powerful life force energy of the sun, Amber brings us vibrant, joyful aliveness. Universally people enjoy spending time in the sun and bathing the body in its life-giving energy. This is one of the oldest naturally occurring meditations, the sun meditation, which induces in us a deep state of inward-turned relaxation. Amber also relieves depression by connecting us with our own inner sun center, our internal spark of light and joy. It enhances creativity, personal strength, self-expression, and power.

Amber is also a wonderful stone for babies, making them happy and joyful, and in Germany an old home remedy is to give a baby a large piece to bite on to relieve the pain of teething! – (taken from my book Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul)

If you liked my astrological ramblings I invite you to come back to my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog. You are very welcome to my regular update on the universal flow in the heavens. I hope you enjoyed reading about Amber who is different because as a fossilized stone it bridges the world of plants with the mineral kingdom.

As you can tell I am very passionate about the abilities of the healing gemstones as healing allies for our journey. I have even written a book about it and the connection with astrology: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul, published with Llewellyn.

In my book I teach you how to read a chart and recognize your main themes and challenges. If you know where your challenge and friction is, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with gemstones, if that is something that appeals to you.

I hope you enjoyed reading my article, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.

Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

Shakti Carola Navran has written the book: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul and  many articles about the healing properties of gemstones and their use in daily life for meditation, balance and meaningful jewelry making. She teaches you about true Birthstones which are based in astrology and their possible application for Soul Jewelry.

Today we will discuss the planetary backdrop for September 14 and 15, 2009. The discussion is also applicable whenever you have those planetary constellations in your personal chart.

The position of the Moon in the Lunar astrology is always setting the emotional tone for the two and a half days she is in one astrological sign per month. Following the Moon positions with awareness gives us options and choices for our life. Instead of just reacting to outer circumstances and promptings we can attune ourselves with the time quality of the moment and move in harmony with that flow.

Moon in Leo
After the Moon passed through Cancer with heightened sensitivity and focus onto our own little world and family, we are now nourished and ready to step into the world, show up with who we are. Leo is the sign of the kings and queens, the rulers of the world, of people who are willing to step into their power and express their own creative individuality. Leo people are generous with their affections and love to play. The heart is the seat of love and being the middle chakra between the three upper and three lower ones, it is attributed to the sign of Leo. It is the heart where we balance ourselves. Without love and the sense of connectedness there is no joy or happiness. Love is a basic need! If babies are not touched and hold with love, they will die. The level of opening of our heart is directly related to the level of joy we are able to feel.

I often hear from singles that they long for a loving partner in their live and there is great suffering in missing one. The significance of love in our life is obvious. So what can we do if we do not have the fulfillment of such a relationship?

Love is Guiding You
With Moon in Leo we have the strong support of courageously daring to expose ourselves in new ways. We can find new ways to be the love we are longing for. We can pray to find unlimited ways to be love, give love, do loving things and let love be the guiding force for decisions in our life. Whenever we are faced with a difficult decision we can ask ourselves the question – what would love do? This is a whole new platform to live your life from. I want to invite you for at least these three days to do this and watch what is happening in your life.
I promise you if you keep doing this, you will find that partner you are longing for and it will change the quality of the relationship you are in.

Flowering of the Heart
When the heart is opening, the intelligence of the heart is guiding the mind into proper actions and will create a joyful and successful life. We have been deeply conditioned with consumerism as a way to get joy and happiness and we think it will come from that thing we are yearning for. With all the economical challenges we are experiencing we better learn to find success and joy in different and new ways.

In my travels in India I was always amazed to see that so many people seemed to be much happier then in the western world. I saw women sitting in the dirt at the side of the street in Kerala hammering stones into smaller pieces for road building all day long and they had a smile on their face, waving to me.

The flowering of the heart aligns the mind and raises our state of consciousness. Waking up to our highest potential or self realization is centered on the flowering of the heart into a perception of oneness. We all had moments of experience with that. We know enough to be moved towards deepening that experience.

Exact Saturn Uranus Opposition on Tuesday
This Saturn Uranus Opposition will last in its impact for this whole week. We have talked about this connection before and commented on the radical changes of structures in society in general, in the government and the economy. We are living in times of big changes and astrology is one way of finding meaning and alignment in it.

The Saturn/ Uranus opposition is one of the culprits for the changes we feel have been forced on us. There will be 5 oppositions with these two planets with the last one in 2015. The first one started off with a bang on September 15, 2008 and it was also in square to Pluto and accompanied by a Full Moon. Our economy started cycling down the drain and revealed long inherent problems. Also the presidential election was under the influence of these two, paving the way for a historical change and hope for true leadership, electing the first president of color in this country. The need for change was so obvious and the hope for a better future high. There was a global celebration around the planet testifying to new faith and hope for a better future. Let us have a look at both planets and what they represent! Read more

Venus Neptune Opposition
Venus, the Goddess of Love and Neptune, the Mystical Dreamer are firing each other up with this opposition. The shadow side and challenge in this connection is the tendency to project our ideals and dreams onto somebody without discrimination of accuracy. We might just perceive what we want to see instead of the reality of that person. That might end in the feeling of betrayal and disappointment down the road when disillusion happens.

But the beautiful potential of this connection is an enhancement in the area of relationship and deepening of our ability to love and open our hearts as we discussed above.

Unconditional love has to begin within ourselves, learning to let go resistance and self hate. Allowing the present moment with what I, can be learned and practiced. If you have childhood trauma and wounds like most of us, some inner work needs to be done to heal and nourish the heart. Spiritual oriented therapy might help you in that process. You can also invite grace into your life through prayers, with an Oneness Blessing or you can meditate and balance your heart with the healing frequency of gemstones.

Self-Love and Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz is one of the most feminine, gentlest stones for the heart and has a very sweet energy. It is very nourishing for all themes related to the heart. The unconditional love of the archetypal mother is conveyed in its touch and establishes our own ability to love ourselves as who we are without judgment or self criticizing.

Its astrological signature is that of Moon, Venus, Mars and Neptune. You can see why it will be a good stone for this time quality for the Venus opposition Neptune. The astrological signature of a stone is created by the color, chemical composition and crystal structure a stone has. It will then be like a homeopathic remedy and energy pattern that vibrates harmoniously in a specific planetary frequency and can help alignment with it.

The goddess Venus adds a sense of value and self appreciation to the self love which is both the foundation for our ability to love others. Love is a state of consciousness which starts inside of us and when it is achieved, all out there is loved as well. It deepens our awareness for the oneness of spirit and the divine we are all part of.

I think we all need to have Rose Quartz in our life. I have a big chunk of it with my orchid flower and it makes a beautiful still life! And sometimes I take a tumbled stone with me to bed, having it under my pillow for a good night sleep.

If you liked my astrological ramblings I invite you to come back to my Astrological Signs Weather Report & Healing Gems Blog for a regular update on the universal flow in the heavens. I hope you enjoyed reading about the Rose Quartz which is a marvelous gem to help the flowering of the heart.

As you can tell I am very passionate about the abilities of the healing gemstones as healing agents for our journey. I have even written a book about it and the connection with astrology: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul. In my book I teach you how to read a chart and recognize your main subjects and challenges. If you know where your challenge and friction is, you can then take steps to support or balance yourself with gemstones, if that is something that appeals to you.

I hope you enjoyed my article, aloha and many blessings, Shakti.
Shakti Carola Navran: astrologer, jeweler and author

Shakti Carola Navran has written: Jewelry and Gems for Self-Discovery: Choosing Gemstones that Delight the Eyes & Strengthen the Soul and many articles about the healing properties of gemstones and their use in daily life for meditation, balance and meaningful jewelry making. She teaches you about true Birthstones which are based in astrology and their possible application for Soul Jewelry.