How to feed your dreams.

The reality is that things out there in the world are not stellar. They're not great. There's an fresh blossoming of violence here on my home soil. Even in small communities which have generally been considered liberal and progressive.

This week alternates between Moon transits that alleviate the trend, and those that highlight it.

The Good

Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus all spend at least part of this week well dignified. Until the end of January, Jupiter is in His* own term of Aries and leading the fiery triplicity by night. Venus is exalted in Pisces and claims the first decan (and then some) of the sign as Her* bounds. Saturn slips through the degrees of the zodiac where they enjoy greatest strength – by triplicity, term, and domicile.

The Meh

Jupiter slides out of the term which belongs to their fertile nature, losing a measure of dignity for the remainder of their stay in Aries.

The Oh Fuck Me*:

As the Sun moves closer to Saturn, the Dark Ancestor begins to descend under the beams of the Sun. This literal setting of Saturn marks the end of the Lord of the Rings' reign in their signs of domicile. Over the course of February we prepare for the gradual

*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 (wal)Nut Shell:

This week puts us in an experiential master class for how to feed our hopes and dreams.

It's easy to become disillusioned. Or, to utterly lose hope. If we think of hope like the wind that drives a set of sails, it's easy to understand what happens if the hope disappears. You're in the doldrums. Or put another way: stagnation and inaction. Two parts of the complicity pie.

I'll be honest, this week has a good skyvibe, better than we've had in a couple of weeks. Whether this is much needed respite, without which you really can't go on, or escap(ist)-hatch that allows us to circumvent facing the facts on the ground.

If you want to know how to feed your dreams: get clear about the difference between much needed respite and escapist fantasy.

Sunday: building momentum
Monday: sweet start
Tuesday: quite quiet
Wednesday: sweet dreams
Thursday: so good
Friday: beauty sublime
Saturday: wompwomp

Sunday the 29th

A slow start to the day thanks to sleeping dreams which extend their tendrils into the waking world.

Daydreams have the potential, equally, to motivate us to enact a plan for the long-term, or to be overwhelmed by the scope of the work ahead of us. The mounting intensity late in the evening suggests that taking stock and committing to sleep on it may be our best course of action.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):

01:21 am - Moon contra-parallel Sun

Agitated dreams perhaps? Thinking not all that different than the Moon's square to the Sun, more like an additional variation on the theme.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):

12:01 pm - Moon at 23° Taurus sextile Neptune at 23° Pisces

The Moon's transit through Taurus tends to ground us in the sensual and somatic. The trine Neptune suggests the body can help us to process what's emerging in the realm of the imaginal. Indulging fantasy is a judgey way of describing the phase of artistic creation where the artist feeds themselves; or the radical rest that begets dance for the revolution

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):

4:03 pm - Moon at 25° Taurus square Saturn at 25° Aquarius
4:49 pm - Moon at 26° Taurus sextile Vesta at 26° Pisces
5:45 pm - Sun at 9° Aquarius trine Mars at 9° Gemini
6:16 pm - Mercury at 14° Capricorn trine Uranus at 14° Taurus
9:51 pm - Moon at 28° Taurus trine Pluto at 28° Capricorn
10:27 pm - Moon contra-parallel Mercury

This is where all the action is today. The major aspects of the evening are the Moon's square to Saturn and the Sun's trine to Mars. Both lights configured to the luminaries suggests that working with our awareness (Sun) and experience (Moon) brings with it a dose of the malefics.

Mars is a building whose ability to cut with precision and is necessary for creating fire (i.e., heat which correlates with motivation).

Boundaries based on what's sustainable in the long-term is key. When we're aware of the sharpness of our speech (its precision as well as its cutting quality). Incisive is fine if the blade is sharp and employed by a deft... tongue, in this case. But when the blade is dull (imprecise, roundabout, or requiring one to mince words and read between the lines) those same incisive words have the potential to just leave a bunch of communication carnage all over the floor.

The Sun Surmises:

After a slow start in the morning, and a dreame-daze kind of afternoon, the evening has us rapidly ratcheting up the intensity as the Moon completes their electric transit of the Taurus. From here on out the Saturn/Uranus square will only continue to recede to a blip in the retrospect rearview. The Moon's square to Saturn is sort of the last echo of the opening quarter phase of the lunar cycle that began with the Aquarius New Moon on January 21st.

Take note of what comes up tonight. And if you can, hold tight until the Moon moves through Cancer when the skies are primed for sweet clarity, and nourishing digestion of the events that opened up the year.

Monday the 30th

We get the first of two periods of the Moon's benefic enclosure this week. Somewhat strained and odd though as that enclosure is immediately succeeded by the Moon's conjunction to Mars and long trod toward another aspect with very a very domiciled (but at least happy) Saturn.

All in all this week has some pretty nice skies, so whatcha gonna do?

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):

00:34 am - the Moon enters Gemini
04:42 am - Moon contra-parallel asteroid Hygeia
05:42 am - Moon contra-parallel Pluto

Technically, there are no classical aspects between traditional planets during the first third of Monday. The Moon enters Gemini and begins a somewhat odd pattern of aspects.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):

9:23 am - Moon at 4° Gemini square Venus at 4° Pisces
12:00 pm - Moon at 5° Gemini sextile Jupiter at 5° Aries

Nothing less than a window of benefic enclosure. Though it's only 37 minutes long. When the Moon moves from one benefic directly to the other it's usually a time of going from "strength to strength" or from good to better, etc.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):

8:26 pm - Moon conjunct Mars at 10°06' Gemini
9:21 pm - Moon parallel Mars
10:24 pm - Moon at 11° Gemini trine Sun at 11° Aquarius

If you're familiar with the projected ecliptic degrees (the non-paran way of reckoning the position of the fixed stars with the tropical zodiac), then you might know that the Moon/Mars conjunction is precisely conjunct the degree of the royal fixed star Aldebaran.

Monday's More or Less:

If we we're able to meet the invitation to speak with precision and explicit clarity as an act of skillful speech, then it's likely that surmounting the fixed sign fuckery over the past few days has resulted in a point of no return in at least one area of life.

Today provides a window where we're able to cut through the obfuscating deluge of entirely too many details, too much information, too many people and faces and apps and competing hawkers for our attention. While the Moon is enclosed by the rays of the benefics, and waxing, take the opportunity to think critically knowing that any challenging conclusions you arrive at are coming from an optimistic place where the benefit of the doubt is already there in abundance.

If you've been doubting whether or not your impulse to sever ties is just a cranky mood, today grants a window for a favorable but unclouded view of the situation.

Tuesday the 31st

Such a quiet day in terms of the number of aspects that are being made. Especially in comparison to Sunday night. Technically, with respect to the traditional planets at least, there are no aspects at all today.

A true void Moon by all but the strict Hellenistic definition. This isn't a day for getting stuff done, or making moves. More for plotting moves, or considering the motivation for the plots and moves in the first place.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):

01:24 am - Moon at 12° Gemini sextile Chiron at 12° Aries

I've been thinking about Chiron as having the function of driving collective healing since way back when Chiron was in Pisces. If you have memories of being of out in the world around that time (2011 - 2018) you might remember a lot of folks, at least of the "woo" persuasion, being rather preoccupied with the "core wound of separation" or the wound of the "illusion of separation." Non-duality has a 21st century resurgence that paralleled the emergence of the 'Western Buddhist tradition' back in the hippy days. Except make it science.

With Chiron in Aries, the wound we're all trying to heal seems to have to do with individuality vs. interdependence. From the core attachment wounds that predispose us to particular relational patterns to the attempt to heal the cultural wounds created by the notion of the heroic individual.

At least that's how it seems now. Until Chiron reaches 3° Taurus in April of 2018 we'll still have yet to complete a full orbit observing Chiron's transits.

Practically speaking, this transit happens when a lot of folks will be sleeping (at least among the folks who read these). Unless these particular degrees are activated or sensitive in your chart, it's likely to go unnoticed.

But if you want to tune in to the energy, take note of your dreams. Heading to bed Monday night with a request for healing dreams, or dreams which reveal the way to integrate your actions and path in a way that's in integrity with your spirit and purpose could be fruitful. If that's your kind of thing.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):

12:50 pm - Chiron contra-parallel Vesta

There are no classical aspects among traditional planets. In light of the other aspects today, or the lack of them this might manifest as a subtle fixation on what chafes in the Aries parts of our charts.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):

11:20 pm - Moon at 23° Gemini square Neptune at 23° Pisces

Neptune is revisiting the exact degree of the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction that occurred last April, this time direct. The Moon's square to Neptune in the bedtime hours suggests a vivid dreamscape lies ahead.

It's another good time to have the dream journal handy. Even if you don't remember anything, or remember to write anything down, even the process of paying just a little more attention to your dream life can give the Moon subtle purchase for working subconsciously with that material.

Tuesday's TL;DR:

Healing isn't always about going out and fixing, processing, clearing, or any other kind of doing. Sometimes healing looks like quietly paying attention and letting our mind, heart, and spirit simply feel it out.

Today is one of those days. Good thing too, 'cause there's plenty to work with later in the week.

Wednesday the 1st

The Moon enters Cancer today and ushers in a period rife with good b-sides, and even a couple of great elections. The morning and afternoon are somewhat like the final leg in a long journey – lots of reminding yourself not to think about how long is left, but instead on how far you've come.

If it's not clear in this metaphor, when the Moon makes it to Cancer we'll have that "ah, finally fucking made it" feeling.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):

3:57 am - Moon at 25° Gemini trine Saturn at 25° Aquarius
6:24 am - Moon at 27° Gemini square asteroid Vesta at 27° Pisces

The Moon's trine to Saturn gives us an opportunity to work with Saturn's stabilizing long-range view.

Are you planning on putting out a dream journal Tuesday night? You could ask for insights into working with time while you traverse the astral plane.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):

11:26 am - Sun at 12° Aquarius sextile Chiron at 12° Aries
12:11 pm - Moon enters Cancer

Once the Moon moves into Cancer we set off a string of excellent inception opportunities. There were so many variations that I couldn't even include all of them in the Betterthans & B-Sides report for this week.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):

8:51 pm - Mercury conjunct asteroid Hygeia at 18° Capricorn

There are no classical aspects among traditional planets, technically. But Mercury's conjunction to Hygeia brings together our mental faculties with our impulse for cleansing, healing, and hygiene. Mercury is at maximum western elongation and just beginning to descend from the peak high of their morning apparition.

In other words, we're thinking clearly, we're able to communicate well, and we have the potential to do so in a way that recalls Hygeia's "soothing hands."

Mercury Might Say:

Dwelling overly on the origin of the wound, instead of what's needed to get on with healing it, or learning to live with it well, just draws out our suffering. Whatever can be cleared up, and made healthy is ripe to be attended. And the things that can't – it's time to acknowledge that too, so that you can figure out what to do from here.

Thursday the 2nd

In the middle of the night we have a four-hour window with the Moon enclosed by the benefics. While it's not quite a good enough election to warrant waking up in the middle of the night, it's certainly one worth scheduling things to go live.

To learn more about the elections, opportunities for beginning a planetary days practice, and other opportune moments of the week, check out the Betterthans and B-Sides 'sub'lectional report.

Betterthans & B-Sides 2023: Week #5

’Sub’lectional charts for making the best out of bad timing.

bearryver.comBear Ryver

Available just for premium subscribers, you can sign up for a 2 week trial to check it out, or give your vote of confidence now and save 50% for half the year when you sign up for the Airy Artists tier in January.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):

00:54 am - Moon at 6° Cancer square Jupiter at 6° Aries
04:14 am - Moon at 7° Cancer trine Venus at 7° Pisces

This is our other window of benefic enclosure this week. Occurring while many of y'all will be asleep, I'm thinking that for most this is just going to be a night of very week dreams. Of course, if you're up a bit late whatever you're up to while you burn the midnight oil is likely to go well and be pleasant while you're doing it.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):

1:49 pm - Moon at 12° Cancer square Chiron at 12° Aries

There are no classical aspects among traditional planets. But the Moon's aspects to Chiron are definitely a thing. We're likely to be sensitive. Almost as if the delightful dreams during the Moon's benefic enclosure make the harsh reality of... reality that much more abrasive.

If you can, take note of what doesn't feel so good. Those are clues.

On the other hand, we can't heal what we can't feel, so feeling it all has some real benefits today, with the Moon so strongly positioned.

This waxing Moon in Cancer is the last one that is truly free from an aspect with Saturn.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):

6:27 pm - Moon at 14° Cancer sextile Uranus at 14° Taurus

There are no classical aspects among traditional planets, though the Moon's aspects to Uranus tend to bring a little jolt of electricity. If you've ever stuck your tongue on a battery, you know the feeling, except it's like in your emotional and somatic body.

Just Jot this for Jupiter's Day:

We're best able to stay flexible when we're comfortable, and the type of comfort that comes from truly relaxing and letting one's gaurd done is generally only available when we feel safe.

Many time there are external changes that can, or need, to be made in order to make safety a possibility. And sometimes, there are internal changes that need to be made in order for the reality of the safety around us to actually be fulling assimilated as fact by our animal bodies.

Friday the 3rd

This is one of my favorite days of the week, despite the fact that there's no benefic enclosure of the Moon. Still, we open the day with Venus exalted and in Her** own term and very near to the ascendant during the last few minutes of Her hour.

If you've been wanting to establish a planetary practice with Venus, this is a great morning to do that.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):

02:05 am - Moon at 18° Caner opposite asteroid Hygeia
04:08 am - Moon at 19° opposite Mercury at 19° Capricorn

The Moon's opposition to Mercury brings two things, each potential: perspective; and a disunity between our thoughts and feels. Considering there's no reception between the two planets, it's more likely that it's the disunity bit. But even recognizing that can lend a certain kind of perspective.

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):

12:01 pm - Moon at 23° Cancer trine Neptune at 23° Pisces

This is dreamy af, y'all. Dreams are the fuel that feed our hopes for the future. SO if you have to opportunity to lean into the energy of this transit, I recommend that you do.

Even if it's just listening to some dreamy music.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):

6:50 pm - Sun at 15° Aquarius square Uranus at 15° Taurus
9:17 pm - Moon at 28° Cancer trine Vesta at 28° Pisces
10:18 pm - Moon at 28° Cancer opposite Pluto 28° Capricorn

There are no classical aspects among traditional planets. But we all know by now that doesn't mean that there's nothing going on in the sky. Though the non-traditional planets tend to require a more exact configuration to something important or active in our charts to be noticeable. Unless you're one of those sensitive types, or one of those folks who's actively trying to feel the skyvibe.

Venus Votes:

Take your time with getting clear about what you're dreaming about. The reality is that, at least here in the states, Pluto's long stay at 27° and 28° of Capricorn is bringing up the rotten core of the U.S. Empire, and that's terrifying and heavy work.

I'm not advocating that you escape here, but instead remember that in order to keep going when it feels as though we can't we must have something that we believe (and can see in our mind's eye) we're moving towards.

Saturday the 4th

Saturday might give you a touch of skyvibe whiplash if you're not prepared for it. Today is a day for slowing down.

Ensuring that our growth is trending in the direction we want means we've got to cut through false feedback loops and get clear about the details. It's a day to check yourself so that you don't end up wrecking.

Early AM (midnight - 08:00, PST):

00:48 am - Moon enters Leo
02:54 am - Moon parallel Mars

Midday (08:00 - 16:00, PST):

2:33 pm - Moon at 6° Leo trine Jupiter at 6° Aries

The Moon's trine to Jupiter is delightful, particularly since Jupiter is in the superior position and acting as one of the triplcity lords of the fire sings. There's support coming in the form of friendship – at least form the perspective of the Moon.

Late PM (16:00 - midnight, PST):

7:28 pm - Venus at 11° Pisces square Mars at 11° Gemini
8:09 pm - Moon contra-parallel Pluto
8:27 pm - Sun contra-parallel Uranus
11:34 pm - Moon at 11° Leo sextile Mars at 11° Gemini
11:39 pm - Moon contra-parallel Hygeia

The square between Venus and Mars is in effect for the entire week, but peaks in exactitude on the same day that the Moon is contending with Mars. Moving into the Full Moon in Leo, the results are nearly in. The upcoming week will let us know exactly how we've been doing with our fixed sign homework.

Saturn's Summary:

The Moon's ctrine with Jupiter aims for expansion. The Moon's sextile with Mars aims to divide, reduce, or separate – or at least bring our attention to those strategies and tools. Perhaps we finish this week, peppered with positive potential, on a note that reminds us that: it's hard to grow when our attention, motivation, and drives are split.

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

Bear Ryver is a professional astrologer helping his clients hone strategies for grounded growth and embodied empowerment by bringing them back to the BASICS. Winner of OPA’s Most Promising Astrologer in 2018, Bear has lectured at conferences like NORWAC and ISAR. He holds certifications in Hellenistic, Electional, and Horary astrology, and specializes in Intersectional Astrology. He was a teacher for the Portland School of Astrology, and has volunteered as a mentor for AFAN. When he’s not talking stars, or pulling cards, you can find him climbing rocks and playing guitar.