Skyvibe Serial 2023: Week #2
Skyvibe Serial 2023: Week 2
Forecast for the week of January 8th - 14th, 2023
Hold Still – Your Move.
The Moon will make repeated aspects with Mars parked deadass standing stock still at 8° Gemini. The Moon will translate that Mars station to Mercury who's gonna do the same thing next week.
If you feel like your wheels have been spinning, yeah, that's about right.
But consider this: spinning wheels is still progress compared to a flat and an engine that won't start. Besides, this week will give us some friction to help our... 'tires' get a grip.
This week has a whole bunch of hurry up and wait written over it. If you live in an area with enough people to have Traffic, you've probably witnessed this, and the less than awesome behavior this is provoking in some folks.
I'm struck by how much this week seems to have a few different threads or paths through it, depending on where you place your focus and what you're pre-occupied with.
Monday and Saturday present some interesting windows for planetary relationship building (even magic making). But if you're not attuned to that it might just be kinda weird, like getting your hopes up for a movie only to walk away from the theatre confused about what you even saw.
The Good:
Venus may be leaving the Hir* own decan, but at least Ze's* in Her* own terms. We've got a little bit of time still before Venus switches to the awkward alienation of the 'Stranger in a Strange Place' vibe.
*a note on pronouns and the planets
As a queer person with a devotional practice to the planets as spiritual intelligences and the stars as Ancestors – just like my literal ancestors (go figure)... well, let's just I've got lot's to say about this.
You can read a few of my thoughts on gender(ing) and the planets here.
The Meh:
The Moon spends Tuesday, Wednesday, and the better part of Thursday moving through Virgo. That's a direct flight to the Mars and Mercury hijinks where laughing at is calamity is apotropaic magic, but holy shit has this retrograde been on one fighting no holds barred.
The Oh Fuck Me:
Mars stations direct, and Mercury slows down, and the Moon translates light between the very degree of these stations.
Our get up and go is on pause, our ability to plot and plan is on pause. It's not a week for forward momentum. That's actually quite fine on it's own. But the demands of capitalism (egregore) demand that we be perpetually productive – therein lies the rub.
So, unless you're well ahead of most folks in your work to dismantle the productive heroic bootstrappin' individual narrative inside yourself, you might find this week to be rather challenging in some respects.
*please note: "oh fuck me" is my way of subverting the normalization of conventional beauty standards; I'm not at all suggesting these outcomes are guaranteed, or that everyone is going to experience these undesirable manifestation. Rather, that in the RPG of life, these would be the chaotic evil playthrough of the same energies described by the good and the meh.
Week in a Walnut Shell
(please pardon the pun)
Week in (wal)Nut Shell:
All over the place, honestly. And it's really going to depend on your perspective and goals, as well as which parts of your chart are being activated.
Same holds true with the electable and sub-election quality charts for the week. What's good for creating a talisman with particular aims may not be a general awesome day if you're just trying to have a good time.
Sunday: weirdly wonderful-ish.
Monday: kinda harsh.
Tuesday: friction fire.
Wednesday: words hurt/heal.
Thursday: throwing the e-brake.
Friday: clearing the air.
Saturday: so much Saturn.
Day by Day
Sunday the 8th
Most of what happens today goes down in the middle part of the afternoon, in terms of exact aspects. If we consider the movement throughout the day what we have is the Moon moving from benefic enclosure in the morning to Mars-Nodes/Uranus-Saturn more-or-less malefic enclosure in the later part of the day.
Then we've got the challenge comes from the combo-move of Mx. Moon having words with Venus and Mars as well as utter weirdness from Mercury and Uranus over on the sidelines.
Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):
06:46 am - Moon contra-parallel asteroid Hygeia
There are no classical aspects among traditional planets.
And yet, the Moon is experiencing benefic enclosure – separating from a trine to Jupiter and applying to oppose Venus. You should notice a
Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):
08:51 am - Moon at 7° Leo opposite Venus at 7° Aquarius
11:18 am - Moon at 8° Leo sextile Mars retrograde at 8° Gemini – still
1:13 pm - Moon contra-parallel Pluto
3:22 pm - Mercury at 15° Capricorn sextile Uranus at 15° Taurus (both retrograde)
Not gonna lie Sun-siblings, this is liable to be a weird and oddly stressful afternoon. The Moon's contra-parallel is kinda like an opposition, but much more subtle and under-the-surface. (At least, that's the supposition we're working with right now.)
What's interesting about the Moon/Venus opposition is that the Moon is in the term of Leo that belongs to Venus, and Venus is in the part of Aquarius that yields to the Fairer Benefic by term and decan. So this opposition goes 100% in favor of Venus.
What's that mean in English?
The Moon in Leo finds security and comfort through recognition and acknowledgement of their belonging-ness. Venus in Aquarius is acutely aware of relational norms, customs, and institutions – who's in and out, why, by what means. I think of the outsider "loner" who actually has a vast and varied network of acquaintances, allies, friends, and comrades.
The opposition, were it happening in other degrees might just leave us feeling kind of left out and lonely. But this one just might give us precious insight into who we are, or who we want to be, that comes through relationships (Venus) and from other folks outside of us (the opposition).
Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):
5:52 pm - Moon contra-parallel Sun
7:03 pm - Moon at 12° Leo trine Chiron at 12° Aries
If you're into tracking astro-cycles in your life, take note of what comes up tonight with the Moon/Chiron aspect. The Moon is at 12° Leo - the degree where Venus will end her retrograde in September.
The Sun Surmises:
The Moon in Leo has been pretty depressing to experience, tbh, and the extra frustration that comes from making the kind of headway we want might be even more to take on top of it.
That being said, I think today, and this week in general offers us the opportunity to see that frustration, and direct the mounting potential energy toward eventual release in the form of some brilliant ideas. But we have to be able to do that laughing in the face of frustrating fate and really mean it if we want to actually do that (instead of bypassing a fully associated relationship with reality).
Monday the 9th
The trine between Venus and Mars is interesting. They are the two planets that individually hold opposite side of the relational coin – connection and division, love and hate, creation and destruction, binding and cutting ties... So the two of the trine ought to give us access to integrating their energies, or deal with them as a whole coin, rather than binary opposition.
But Mars isn't moving, and Venus is busy making art and connections on Her* own terms.
Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):
01:01 am - Moon at 15° Leo square Uranus retrograde at 15° Taurus
07:21 am - Venus at 8° Aquarius trine Mars at 8° Gemini
Yeah, it's an intense start to the day. At least Venus is there to soften what's otherwise been some pretty harsh Leo Moon transits.
Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):
10:14 am - Moon contra-parallel Venus
10:53 am - Moon contra-parallel Mercury
There are no classical aspects among traditional planets.
Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):
5:52 pm - Moon at 23° Leo opposite Saturn at 23° Aquarius
6:12 pm - Mercury parallel Venus
The Moon's opposition to Saturn being the last aspect until after entering Virgo's orderly fields leaves the day off on a sort of a... down or low note.
On the other hand, the Moon's opposition to Saturn conjunct the fixed star Deneb Algedi could present an solid opportunity to connect with the Tail of the Goat – if you used projected ecliptic degrees (PED) rather than heliacal cycles.
Monday's More or Less:
Is this day a rough, weird, and uncomfortable day? Or a magical day? Can you find a perspective from which both/and are one and the same?
In other words: some of the planets show up in the form of no, by revealing what stinks, by showing us where we're fired up and furious to defend against trespasses. If we focus on the fact that we don't like it, we miss the gifts: the opportunity to find a better price for that book, the realization that there's a leak and the pipes need to be fixed before the subflooring rots out from under you...
If you think about the hard parts of today like engine warning lights, does that change the way you experience the difficulties?
Tuesday the 10th
The only traditional aspect between classical planets today is the square between Mars and the Moon. In this one Mars has the upper hand, and the Moon is looking to a retrograde peregrine Mercury for assistance.
This isn't a time for trying to think our way out of problems. More information isn't the answer either. But chewing on and digesting the information you already have is. And noting the bytes of information that cause you indigestion or upset belly or heart can help you to make more discerning choices about what you take in in the future.
Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):
06:43 am - Moon parallel Uranus
07:15 am - Moon enters Virgo
There are no classical aspects among traditional planets.
Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):
12:31 pm - Moon contra-parallel Saturn
There are no classical aspects among traditional planets.
Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):
11:36 pm - Moon square Mars at 8° Gemini
If you're prone to nightmares, this might be a good day to be extra selective about media input. If there's a soothing bedtime routine, or something that helps with that, consider employing that technique or routine before bed.
Tuesday's TL;DR:
As much as we don't like breaking out in rashes or acne, those inflammatory responses are the bodies way of healing. Same goes for frustrations and conflict in our external lives. Not fun, but informative.
Exhaustively searching for additional details or attempting to process externally isn't really advised. If something comes up that does need to be addressed, take notes and come back to it later, if it can wait.
Wednesday the 11th
What are the Ptolemaic aspects occurring between traditional planetary bodies today? Just the Moon's trine to Mercury.
What about the Ptolemaic aspects between any of the celestial bodies?
Chiron, Hygeia, Vesta, and Uranus to the mix. The wounded healing centaur, the goddess of Health, the goddess of the Hearth, and the titan who gave us fire – if we're getting classical Greek mythology with it.
We could just call those functions integration, hygiene, focus, and invention. The Moon's function is to materialize or embody, and Mercury's is to translate.
Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):
12:48 am - Mercury at 12° Capricorn square Chiron at 12° Aries
02:02 am - Moon trine asteroid Hygeia
06:57 am - Moon at 11° Virgo trine Mercury retrograde at 11° Capricorn
Clearing the air and cleaning up our communication puts us in the position to make the most out of not particularly fun or delightful astrology. Consider that the Moon is separating from a square to Mars (whose taking orders from Mercury).
Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):
10:54 am - Moon contra-parallel Vesta
1:17 pm - Moon at 14° Virgo trine Uranus at 14° Taurus, still retrograde
Right now the nocturnal (or 'feminine') signs contain the Point(s) of Thales relative to the Moon's Nodes. In the middling degrees of Virgo, and trine to Uranus, the Moon is poised to present a 'secret third option' that could be a brilliant route to integrating the seeming binary opposition of the Nodes and Uranus's call for dramatic change.
Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):
8:15 pm - the Moon at 18° Virgo opposes asteroid Vesta at 18° Pisces
Wednesday's Word:
Healing hurt. Healing hurts. Heals hurting. Healing hurting.
That makes this a day where we can focus on hygiene to help us integrate inventive methods of translating life's wisdom into something we can embody.
But it's all about attention, intention, and deliberately directing both of those skillfully. The fact that we're talking about non-traditional planets suggests the energies are a bit more subtle – there to notice if we choose to but easy to miss if we don't.
Thursday the 12th
Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):
03:07 am - Moon at 21° Virgo trine the Sun at 21° Capricorn
04:14 am - Moon parallel Chiron
05:20 am - Moon at 23° Virgo opposite Neptune at 23° Pisces
Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):
10:46 am - Venus at 12° Aquarius sextile Chiron at 12° Aries
12:56 pm - Mars stations direct
3:06 pm - Moon at 27° Virgo trine Pluto at 27° Capricorn
3:21 pm - Moon contra-parallel Neptune
I made a few remarks about the Moon connecting with Mars at 8° Gemini repeatedly over the next couple weeks. You can read that here:
Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):
6:56 pm - Moon enters Libra
The Moon's transit through Libra brings a few opportunities to harness some delightful astrology. You can read more about the a couple of charts in this week's Betterthans & B-Sides (link below in Saturday's entry).
Just Jot this for Jupiter's Day:
Venus's sextile to Chiron is the last aspect She'll* make while dignified in Aquarius. After this Venus relies on Saturn for access to resources for the rest of Hir* transit through Aquarius.
What relational wounds are still open, or healing for you? What kind of structure, boundaries, or container do you need in order to go about letting them heal?
More specific forecast for this week lie in your natal chart. Which house holds Aquarius in your chart? Which planets are activated by transit or other timing techniques? These details will help provide more clarity about how the astroweather is impacting you.
Friday the 13th
Busy, busy, busy. Look at how much the Moon is doing! The absolute most. All those aspects...
Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):
12:33 am - Moon opposite Jupiter at 2° Aries
1:01 am - Mercury conjunct asteroid Hygeia
6:11 am - Sun sextile Neptune
07:26 am - Moon parallel Jupiter
I'm looking forward to the Sun's sextile to Neptune for the potential to burn through Neptune's foggy confusion and to illuminate clearly the images that merit recreating in the mundane waking world.
Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):
10:45 am - Moon at 8° Libra trine Mars stationing direct at 8° Gemini
1:54 pm - Moon at 8° Libra square Mercury retrograde at 8° Capricorn
3:10 pm - Moon square Hygeia
Mercury will station at this degree next Wednesday – how fitting. In the mean time, today the Moon translates light from Mars stationing in Mercury's home while Mercury is beginning to do the same in the exaltation of Mars (Capricorn).
Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):
6:29 pm - Moon at 12° Libra opposite Chiron at 12° Aries
9:57 pm - Moon at 13° Libra trine Venus at 13° Aquarius
11:27 pm - Moon parallel Neptune
And just like that, Venus leaves Her* term of Aquarius.
Take notes about this time. Venus will complete a retrograde cycle opposite this 12° mark later in the year. And next time Venus returns to the decan and term of Aquarius in alignment with Hir* nature Saturn won't be there playing good (begrudging) host.
Venus Votes:
Take advantage of the Moon and Venus hours earlier in the day and through the late afternoon - they'll have the quality of the Moon and Venus having the support of Saturn, and Venus having a unique and quirky sort of strength.
Whether you just notice the way that Venus and the Moon show up, or use the morning's Venus hour to connect with an airy-er and more detached Venusian vibe, there's a distinct difference between the Venus we'll be greeting today and on Monday at sundown.
Saturday the 14th
This is by far my favorite day of the week and one I've been looking forward to for ages. It won't be too much longer after when I share with y'all what I've been working on planning for on this day.
Airy Artists (premium subscribers here), and patrons who subscribe at the Brown Bear tier and higher over on Patreon, have access to this week's Betterthan's and B-Sides.
Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):
There are no classical aspects among traditional planets. Not even a parallel or contra-parallel involving asteroids. Capital Q quiet this Saturday morning.
Just like Saturn likes it.
Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):
10:14 am - Moon contra-parallel Chiron
There are no classical aspects among traditional planets.
Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):
4:46 pm - Moon at 23° Libra trine Saturn 23° Aquarius
5:21 pm - Venus at 14° Aquarius square Uranus at 14° Taurus
6:10 pm - the Moon at 24° Libra squares the Sun at 24° Capricorn
11:42 pm - Moon parallel asteroid Vesta
The third quarter Moon in Libra squares the Sun at 24° Capricorn. This is the degree of Mercury's station.
Any information coming to light today? Or the awareness of what information is missing? Remember, this Mercury retrograde through Capricorn opens and closes out 2023, as well as linking us to the Venus bookends of 2022.
Now's a good time to start thinking about those 'resolutions'. What information are you going to seek, learn, and exchange in the next year – particularly concerning relationships?
Saturn's Summary:
Things are what you make of them. Not everything, not the whole world. That's well beyond your control. The mastery that Saturn promises as a gift, if you endure the lessons of reality long enough, is one that understands the difference between experience and time itself.
What's the difference between them? Well, like all Mysteries, it's beyond explaining, but simple enough to experience if you try. Though, simple doesn't mean easy.
If you want to learn Saturn's lessons on time, you'll just have to sit silently and see what's revealed when you offer Them a little of your Time.
Planetary Days, Beings, and Relationships
If you want to connect with the Ancestor of Elders, the Lord of the Rings, the Old G.O.A.T, the Black Cube... Saturn is known by many names and under many guises. Not for everyone (nothing/no one is), today is a great day to tune in to Saturn.
If you'd like to connect with Saturn, you may enjoy watching the replay of January's live chat.
We talked about planetary days, Saturn and Saturdays, and the different approaches one can take to working with planetary days based on rising sign.
Have a question for Bear? Want to connect with other astrologers and astrology enthusiasts?
As always, I hope these words find and serve you well.
If you'd like to start a discussion or pose a question to your fellow members (and/or Bear) feel free to post down below!
If you'd like to reach out to Bear directly you can reach him at: contact@bearryver.com
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