Anne Massey’s astrology blog

Virgo and Libra

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011 | Ask Anne, Astrology Students, Astrology for You, astrologer's diary, astrology basics | No Comments

Reader question: I have a question for you – I have had my chart done a few times. I have heard different opinions on my rising sign, 29 degrees Virgo – 1st house. Some astrologers say, it is essentially the same as Libra rising. Others saying no, Virgo…antithetic

Anne’s response: There is a big difference between the last degree of Virgo rising to the first degree of Libra rising. We cannot change your Ascendant to be a Libra or imply that it almost is.

If the final degree of Virgo is rising, we tend to find a person, who is very driven to accomplish something in life and has worked diligently toward the perfect presentation of self—always putting the best foot forward, or knowing your most flattering side. (Ready for my close up…)

Antithetic means diametrically opposed, which is the complete or exact opposite. So that cannot be true. Libra is opposite Aries, and Virgo is opposite Pisces. Virgo and Libra are adjacent signs, their connection or lack of one, was called an aversion by classical astrology. Aversion is a polite way of describing we truly don’t like something, and have little or nothing in common. The energy between the two signs is actually mitigated by the fact that they are of equal ascension, meaning they rise for the same length of time each day—so the two actually work together, maybe somewhat reluctantly. › Continue reading

Gemini, butterflies and Mars in Gemini

Monday, June 20th, 2011 | Astrology for You, astrologer's diary, astrology basics | No Comments

I just posted a column about Gemini and Mars in Gemini at www.astrologicallyspeaking.com/Gemini2011.htm — it is a rerun of a column I wrote in 2003. The horoscopes in it are updated. “Geminis are like butterflies fluttering from flower to flower, always looking for new tastes and new experiences; breezy and blithe not allowing life to stagnate as that fosters boredom. Read more by following the link above.

Astrology and You

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 | Astrology Students, astrologer's diary, astrology basics | 2 Comments

Astrology is the means for understanding the human experience. I begin teaching the basics from the basic premise that some of us are active and some of us are passive. Active signs are the yang signs from the two elements of Fire and Air. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are the three fire signs—it is their basic nature to get fired up about life and then do something about it; we are in charge of our lives and just do it are the two mottos for the six active signs. The Air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. The six passive or receptive signs represent the element of Earth and Water. It is the Yin part of the symbol for duality. The adjacent graphic has some of the associated words for duality.

Some of us are fiery, assertive and have a huge zest for life and we yearn to get everyone enthused about living life to the fullest. That in astrology would be the element of fire. Some of us are logical, rational and live in our heads, in astrology this is represented by the element of Air. We have a third group of individuals who are primarily practical and pragmatic, interested in worldly accomplishments and tasks. Astrologically speaking these are the three Earth signs. The three Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The empathetic, compassionate and caring people are primarily the three Water signs—Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. › Continue reading

Sun moving house

Thursday, January 20th, 2011 | astrologer's diary, astrology basics | No Comments

Today the Sun is in Aquarius and begins its race to catch up with Mars for the biennial meeting. Planets are like characters in our life’s drama, comedy or just play. When they change sign, it can be looked at as them moving, changing residence. All of the planets have one or two permanent residences. The Sun has its home in Leo and a well-like country residence in Aries—those are the two signs he likes the best, he gets to be the only centre of attention. Today the Sun began his four week visit to Aquarius, which is far from his home as possible. It is not warm and welcoming; he isn’t the only centre of attention. Aquarius is more concerned with camaraderie and common good, the many rather than the individual. In fact the Sun does not stay as long in the sign of Aquarius as he does in other signs. Aquarius is known as the detriment of the Sun; the word detriment means hindrance and prevention. The Sun is literally farther from us at this time of year in the Northern hemisphere, however, this doesn’t mean that people living in the Southern hemisphere born when the Sun was in Aquarius, are somehow Leos. For the Southern hemisphere, the Winter Solstice the height of Summer, perhaps we should call these the Cancer and Capricorn Solstice instead. › Continue reading

The Zodiac Story

Saturday, January 15th, 2011 | Astrology for You, astrologer's diary, astrology basics | No Comments

Much like finding how to get somewhere using the GPS, an astrological chart gives insights about how to navigate through life.

It is easy for the scientific community to debunk astrology, which does not conform to current specific scientific rules. The statement that we might have thirteen signs for horoscopes, caused reporters to contact many of us to get a statement. The National News ran the story at the end of the broadcast where the cutesy stories are read, the final minutes. It was so poorly compiled and understood by the reporter that the statements had become the Earth has changed location as has the Sun… completely nonsensical…

It has become obvious that people don’t understand the basic premise of astrology or the origins of newspaper horoscopes. Horoscopes as they appear in newspapers were the result of astrologers in Great Britain attempting to popularize astrology, and are based on the sign of the Sun; this began about 90 years ago. The actual horoscope or astrological chart is much more complex, the Sun is one of the starting points.

What information is identical between the two fields of study? Astrologers and astronomers time the seasons and eclipses exactly the same.

What is the Zodiac and where is it? How do we define the Zodiac differently from astronomy? › Continue reading

Saturn, the Sun or the Moon

Monday, May 31st, 2010 | Ask Anne, Astrology Students, Astrology for You, astrology basics | No Comments

Your question: I’ve noticed that Saturn has returned to Virgo for a bit longer and will be heading back into Libra shortly. With my Sun in Virgo and my moon in Libra I was just wondering which is usually more difficult for someone to go through, Saturn in their Sun sign or Saturn in their Moon sign? See the response › Continue reading

Interceptions

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 | Astrology Students, Astrology for You, astrology basics | 1 Comment

Intercepted signs are those that have no cusp in the astrological wheel based on various house systems. The interceptions vary between house systems. A chart may have an intercepted pair of signs in one house system and none in another, or a different set of signs. Illustrations in the article use the chart of Nick Clegg.  › Continue reading

Astrology Students test their knowledge

Monday, May 17th, 2010 | astrologer's diary, astrology basics | No Comments

On Saturday I had students writing a basic astrology exam at my house, all had taken classes with another instructor, a big change from a few years ago. Back then all of the students were my students; I love progress. The exams are offered in May and November each year—this year no exams will be offered in November. We choose the best Saturday in May; try to avoid Mercury retrograde and prefer to choose a date when the Moon is waxing. The exams are administered by the Canadian Association for Astrological Education; I was not involved in creating the exams this year, but it turned out that the level exam was one I prepared with a colleague back in 2007. Over 40 students of astrology wrote exams on basic astrology, natal chart delineation, forecasting and mathematics of astrology across Canada this past weekend. The tests are standardized; everyone gets the same test at each of the different levels. It is exciting to see that the Canadian Association for Astrological Education is becoming more recognized across the country. We are growing and are numbers are increasing. Back in December the first diploma astrologers graduated. The structure of the organization is changing to meet the growth and we are working hard on improving the resources to both our students and teachers. › Continue reading

Astrologer’s diary Mercury Rx

Monday, April 26th, 2010 | Current Planetary trends, astrologer's diary, astrology basics | No Comments

I just posted a response to the Mercury Rx piece based on a reader question. Mercury retrograde periods are about reviewing and revising our thinking. It is the planet of communication, commuting and learning—it makes connections and/or fails to make those when moving against the grain. Until April 28 it is about finishing things, reviewing and repairing. We are asked to let go of ideas that will not work. It isn’t the ideal time to begin new activities. However, most of us tend to make new choices and plan a new direction during these periods. It is so intriguing that we know what we are going to do by the time Mercury shiftshapes into its Morning Star phase, but do not choose to act if we happen to know that Mercury is retrograde. Yet many successful enterprises are begun with Mercury Retrograde. Other than signing important contracts or buying cars and equipment with wiring, I tend to ignore Mercury retrograde. › Continue reading

Mercury retrograde

Friday, January 8th, 2010 | Current Planetary trends, astrology basics | 2 Comments

Mercury became a morning star on Monday and will move direct Friday the 15th. Mercury retrograde is the best known phenomenom in astrology. Mercury has been retrograde this go-around since December 26. We quickly learn that we should not sign contracts and other important documents during these times. We should not buy vehicles and any equipment that has wiring. Mercury rules over all kinds of connections in astrology. This week I have had several discussions about Mercury retrograde—facts and myths. Remember that Mercury is also in charge of trivia! › Continue reading