What Do Forest Fires and Ignited Financial Markets Have In Common? (Leo and Virgo, two smokin’ hot signs.)

I live in the Pacific Northwest, smack-dab in the middle of one of the hottest fire zones in the U.S. at this point. And yes, we’re on fire here—big time.

So once I cooled my singed feet in our place of temporary relocation, I donned my detective hat and started pouring over the charts. (Of course…what else? You expected a magnifying glass or something?) Here’s part of what I saw and how it’s evolved from there.

Fire season ignited here in earnest August 10^th when an astoundingly intense band of thunder storms swept across a wide swath of the Northwest already in severe drought. Instruments used to record lightning strikes exploded, recording thousands of strikes in record time and numbers. Numerically, number 10 is a number of instant manifestations.   Across the next few days those fires combined, creating massive blazes, with our area “ground zero” for one of the largest and most destructive.

On August 14^th another rainless storm system tore through, carrying winds that fanned the flames, leaving at least 50 families around the perimeter of our little burg without homes, the loss of 75 outbuildings, and another 150 with homes uninhabitable due to smoke damage. The fire tore off is opposing directions from there, threatening one town after the other in rural north-central Idaho. (No, not Iowa, IDAHO.) The number 14 tends to draw media attention, and yes, this made statewide news and beyond.

As of this writing, the entire Pacific Northwest is still ablaze with little or no significant relief (aka, rain) in sight before Labor Day at the earliest.

So how does astrology fit into all this? Amazingly accurately, of course.

On the 10^th, the Sun was at one of its strongest points, in the middle of its home sign of Leo at 17°. Leo is a Fire Sign ruled by the fieriest planet (astrologically speaking) in the solar system. Mars, an intensely wild fire planet, entered Leo that day at 1°, an “Aries point” that sparks wide recognition. And number 1 starts things. The number 17 often signals leaving a legacy behind, something long remembered. This intensity expanded with velocity with the help of Jupiter also in Leo at Critical Degree (trigger for intense happenings) 29. Jupiter expands everything it touches and the number 29 reduces to 11, a Master Number that signals it’s time to step into the unknown.  On a personal level, Venus, retrograding in Leo at 25°, brought all involved to a point of decision as to what they truly valued. The number 25 reduces to 7, the highest number of mental thought and both mental and spiritual insights. It often brings those lightning-strike moments of sudden awareness.

Mercury rules Virgo and lay at 5° in its home sign. This intensified the need for ideas and communication and ignited reporting of all the changes occurring around the ongoing events. Virgo is an Earth Sign, bringing this fiery energy ignited in Leo literally to Earth as the fires both destroyed and purified the Earth’s surface. The number 5 is the number of change and adventure, two things in abundance (Jupiter) at that point and beyond.

Also in Virgo, Lilith, an asteroid noted for carrying disruptive energy, stood (or lay) at 11°, a number which can carry disruption all by itself. And Juno, an asteroid which brings strong commitment, also transited Virgo at 15°. This number reduces to 6, a number of love and caretaking.

The 14^th, when the fires blew out of control in size and strength, brought a New Moon (when Sun and Moon energy join at the same degree) in Leo at 21°. The number 21 reduces to 3, which in its lower expression brings scattered energy. Yet in its highest expression, 21 brings teachable moments. It also brings out the teacher in all of us as we become teachers and students of one another.

New Moons mark new beginnings, and sometimes the beginning of the end. The Moon’s energy generally is not as intense at this time as at a Full Moon, yet it does rule emotions. And as a cosmic “planet” it rules Cancer, the sign of home, family, and real estate.   The number 3 also spurs action and creativity. Need an example? One local pair of brothers spotted an evacuated house whose porch was on fire. To save the house, they cut off the porch. A bit later, they saw another evacuated house with the door ignited. To save the house, they cut out the door.

This New Moon energy brought more tension that usual though a square with Uranus (unexpected happenings) in Aries (initiation), a fire sign ruled by Mars, the planet of change and unbridled power. Squares create tension that finds resolution through action. I’d call firefighting pretty intense action, wouldn’t you? With Uranus at 20°, the highest relationship number, all forms of relationships were tested. Could departments work together for the good of all? Where was the support and where was it not? Could family members agree of a course of action and carry it out? Jupiter, having rolled into Virgo, now expanded the impetus for practical action—or criticism, in Virgo’s lower expression. And Lilith, now sextiling Saturn (structure, work, responsibility) in Scorpio at Critical Degree 28, added a do-or-die energy all its own.

Fast forward now to Friday, August 21^st when a whole other kind of dramatic torch lit. Again the number 21 ignited scattered energy and teachable moments as the Chinese and US stock markets prepared to lock into a joint dive. Since August is an 8 calendar month in an 8 Universal Year, that intensifies the 8 energy—the number of business and king of the money numbers.  Only that was just the start. Mars (raw power) positioned at 8° Leo (our future) was inconjunct Neptune at 8° Pisces (hopes, dreams), requiring an adjustment of some sort. Neptune in its lower expression can leave you in a fog of confusion. Money planet Venus in Leo inconjunct Chiron (wounded child/master healer) in Pisces brought up fears clear back to childhood around money issues and fear of the future. And the Leo Sun at Critical Degree 28 triggered trust issues on all levels. This energy, expanded by nearby Jupiter (a money planet), also squared Saturn at 28° Scorpio, impelling deep fears and a quest for hidden truths. Tensions mounted and the blame game ignited fueled by fears of the past (South Node), present and future (North Node).  It didn’t matter that August is traditionally a quiet month on Wall Street; the time had come for a major shift and the planets and numbers provided the trigger.

As a result, automated and manual trading exploded at the opening of the stock market Monday, August 24^th, creating a jaw-dropping plunge of over 1,000 points in the Dow within minutes. Of course buyers swooped in, reducing the day’s loss by around half. Notice that Venus, one of the money planets as I said, was at 17° Leo, again creating a legendary day on Wall Street that will not be forgotten in financial circles.

Yes, Leo is a sign that demands attention and tends to fire things up in dramatic ways. Virgo serves either as an accomplice or a counter balance, bringing things back down to earthly reality and reminding us that the truly divine can often be demonstrated through practical, day-to-day efforts that matter immensely in the overall picture of things. That’s an important lesson to see on all levels as we live amidst the forest fires and economic earthquakes of life.

Blessings, all!

Rayora Hartman   http://numbersatplay.com

 

(Photo credits:  Kamiah Fires, The Clearwater Progress; “World Stock Markets” by cooldesign, freedigitalphotos.net)

 

Watch Mercury Again in September (Small planet, big impact.)

Some people star gaze.  Others watch birds, football, or the weather.  Me?  I watch Mercury.  Why?  Because this little planet rules communication (plus a whole lot more), and communication determines the quality and outcome of everything from soccer games to international relationships.  Need I say more?  Probably not…but I will. (wink!)

Mercury changes signs roughly every two weeks.  He’s a mover and a shaker in his own way.  He leaves explosive action to Uranus and high power movements to Mars.  That’s not where he shines.  Mercury shakes things up, or calms things down, through communication and all the devices that support that through the eons of time.   He’s not sentimental, but when touched by Venus can appear so.  He’s not necessarily a big mouth either, unless he’s squaring off with Jupiter.  Yet Mercury changes his personality expression more often than any other planet.  His quick transits through the zodiac shift his—and our— outlook, morph his delivery, and color his expression with each new sign.

Since August 15^th, the sign influencing Mercury is Virgo.  Virgo energy naturally brings us into the practical aspects of our lives.  (No, I didn’t say dull, I said practical.) It’s an Earth sign that bring us back to the basics of life here on this planet.  Yet it is ruled by Mercury.  In fact Mercury is exalted here so in its fullest power.  For once communication issues minimize.  Conversations flow with more ease.  We feel pulled to take care of anything that has been left unresolved, to get things settled with a drive toward perfection.

Remember that Mercury also rules Gemini.  His expression in that sign is far different.  There he’s caught up in a whirlwind of ideas.  Conversations tend to feel more airy, more exploratory in nature.  In fact, they may focus largely on travel, future possibilities, or what’s new.

On September 2^nd Mercury moves into Libra.  Yet we are still in Virgo as a collective energy.  Look for a softening energy to infuse your communications.  The focus now shifts more to the basics around your relationships/partnerships and money.  Guard against being wishy-washy or speaking with a sharp tongue (a Virgo trait).  This is a time for plain speaking, clear expression of what you value spoken in love.  Remember Libra, ruled by Venus, wants balance and justice for all.  With the intensity of the September Full Moon on the 9th and New Moon the 24th, this gains in importance.  Not to mention Pluto going direct on the 22^nd, which likewise will impact relationships.

September 9^th/10^th, Mercury squares Pluto at 11° in Capricorn.  This could bring up some fears around work or reputation issues.  Adjustments may be needed to attain balance or stability.  Yet guard against letting your fears determine your decisions.  Use this energy to get to the root of those fears, voice them.  Take them out of that hidden place and allow them to resolve in the light of your current reality.  Remember 11 is the Master Number to initiate change, of walking through the gateway into the unknown.

September 13^th Mercury opposes Uranus at 15° Aries.  Conversations may take sudden, unexpected turns.  Since Mercury also is connected with travel, this could be a dicey day for that.  Use Libra’s balancing energy to keep communications from getting out of hand, whether with your spouse or a ticket agent.  Ask yourself how these sudden turns can empower you rather than throw you off balance.  The number 15 brings a nurturing, caring energy that can greatly assist in this.

On the 16^th Mercury conjuncts (meets) the North Node.  This happens at 19° Libra, activating the numeric energy for quick manifestation and leadership.  It’s time to give voice to any wounded parts of you still crying for attention.  Then let that expression empower you toward greater inner balance, love of yourself and others.  It’s time to become the master healer. Lead/teach and see now with greater compassion than ever before.  This is a subtle energy that focuses on how we think.

The 27^th Mercury slides into Scorpio, taking us once again into more internal conversations.  These may hold more depth.  Scorpio likes to keep things hidden when in its lower expressions and reveal the hidden when in its highest expression.  Allow the light of awareness to transform whatever comes up from these deep places. Let the revelations add strength and understanding to whatever issue is at hand.  Since we all enter Libra on the 22^nd the focus on relationships and money remains.  Yet with Scorpio, Mercury’s focus shifts to other people’s money (loans, inheritances, etc.).

Also, by this time we will be feeling the influence of Mercury’s next retrograde which starts October 4^th.  Making major decisions or setting plans may be challenging.

Yes, Mercury has been a busy boy lately.  In June he moonwalked (aka, retrograded) back toward Venus as she entered Gemini, only to do a flip and hip-hop back into Cancer with the Sun and Jupiter in his sights.  Venus reached out longingly, chasing him through Cancer to no avail much of July.  By August 3^rd Mercury squealed with glee (You didn’t hear him?) as he caught up with Jupiter in Leo and challenged him to a quick free-style.  But the Sun had him dazzled by then—and he was so close.  It only took a few more days for him to reach and bound by the Sun, stopping only long enough for a sun tan.  By mid-August Venus joined the other three in fun-loving Leo, but it was too late.  After a couple months of doing a group dance, Mercury was ready to leave fun times with the other planets behind and do a slow two-step into Virgo for a couple weeks of pure practicality.

And so it goes.   With his fast pace, rarely (if ever) is he not touching some part of our personal and collective energies.   That’s a pretty big impact from such a small planet, don’t you think?  And one well worth watching.

On a personal note, I’m disconnecting for a few weeks, as we 7s tend to do, so won’t post for a while.  Time again for internal and external exploration, which I dearly love.    I value our relationship here and will return before the end of the month.  Till then, blessings to one and all.  Have a wonder-filled September!

Rayora Hartman    http://numbersatplay.com

 

(Photo credit: “Arrow Up Blank Space Balloon” by Nujalee; freedigitalphotos.net)

Feb. 14th Calls for New Ways to Communicate (Can you hear me now?)

I’m amazed when I see numeric codes that shout messages to us.  This February 14^th does just that with a triple activation of the number 14/5.  Now before you leap to any conclusions, let’s explore what’s been leading up to that date as well as what follows.  Take your seat on my magic carpet and let’s zip around the calendar and the cosmos for a bit, okay?

Backing up to early February Mercury eased up on Neptune close enough to comfortably shake hands.  Not quite close enough for a bear hug, mind you.  Just a hand shake—and a meeting of the minds (otherwise known as cosmic energy).  We often sense Neptune energy through our hopes and dreams.  It’s the planet of far-reaching ideas and wild dreams that wake us up at night.  To bring deeply spiritual ideas to the forefront is its highest ambition.  Yet when our energy does not create a match for that, its expression appears in other forms…like confusion.  Mix that with Mercury-style energy and some pretty wild things can show up.  That energy stayed in place for several days.  Mercury retrograded on February 6th at 3° Pisces, one degree away from Neptune. (By the way, did you hear Mercury chuckling as it retrograded at 3, the number of humor?)   This kept the confusion factor in play around this planetary transition.

Here’s how that looked for me.

As I scrambled to complete trip reservations prior to the retrograde, someone I needed to contact was out skiing.  (The nerve, right?) Then another person was included in the trip at the last minute but asked for 24-hrs. to “think about it.”  This rolled the process into the retrograde period, so what would have taken one or two phone calls took three or four times that plus numerous emails to correct misunderstandings, dragging over the next three days.  (Did I mention that Mercury retrograde slows.things.down?)  This energy slopped over into other areas of my life as well, like realizing I forgot to put the cinnamon in apples cooking on the stove, then nearly sprinkling in chili powder instead.  (Yowza!  That was close.)

With Mercury nearly out of Neptune’s orb for a while, I’m feeling much better now, thank you.  How about you?

And here comes Valentine’s Day (in the States), our favorite Love Holiday.  Actually, some love it, some hate it, and others couldn’t care less.  Be that as it may, it’s here again and bound to stir more than a little emotion in many people.  Yet this year I see something new added to the emotional mix.  Communication—big time.  Look at the date: February 14, 2014.  See the double 14?  Okay, now if you add all the digits together (2+1+4+2+0+1+4) it equals 14 as well.  Since in numerology we reduce everything to single digits, that reads as 14/5.  And any time a number repeats, it intensifies.

If you’ve been with me very long, you know this is the ancient number of the scribe which translates in today’s language as “the media number.”  It enhances all forms of communication, personal and non-personal.  It also can denote a person with many gifts and the inability to pick just one.  That energy may come into play when deciding on the perfect gift for your loved one, be it man/woman or your faithful dog (cat…horse…).

Yet the communication factor brings the greatest challenges right now with Mercury in retrograde.  And on February 12th Mercury slipped back into Aquarius where it impacts a more scientific rather than a spiritual energy.  That said, remember Mercury rules all forms of communication, plus electronics, mechanics, and travel.   So if that new I-pad you get from your honey on Valentine’s Day won’t work for some reason, take a deep breath.  The problem may clear up on its own after your actions/ reactions bring the “a-ha” moments intended.   Realize that an incident like this opens the door to handling communication in a better way than you may have in the past.  That’s a biggie!  Check and see if this is true, then acknowledge it if you (or your significant other) can note an improvement.  (Yeah, you!)  The number 5 can bring rocky moments, pivotal points that invite change.  Honor them when they arise.

As if all this isn’t enough, the Moon goes full on that date as well, this time in Leo.  Full Moon energy is known for its intensity.  (Sleep? What’s that?) This time it blends with the “me first” energy of this sign ruled by the Sun.  That creates an intense interplay between the feminine emotional energy of the Moon and the masculine power energy of the Sun.  This could give rise to a lot of emotion around issues involving self-worth, feeling overlooked, or demanding your own way.  See what comes up and face it squarely.  Don’t excuse yourself for poor behavior.  Take the opportunity to grow through it.

This strong Moon energy moves into Virgo the next day which shifts the energy to feeling more practical and helpful.  That assists with any ripples than may have drifted forward from the day before.

So Happy Valentine’s Day, everybody!  May your love for self and others be true, your communication clear, and your gifts expressed in unique and life-enhancing ways.  Live, laugh, love!

And if you love this post—or any other, for that matter—hit the dialogue icon next to the date to express yourself, or reach me here.  Ahhh…communication in this digital age.   Gotta love it!

(Photo credit: “Connecting Hearts,” digitalart; freedigitalphotos.net)