GUEST BLOG POST BY COACH AND ASTROLOGER NICOLE HOUSE
Hi, my name is Nicole House, Coach and Astrologer, and Sinead has invited me to take a journey with you through astrology and how it connects to our life and also Tarot. Over the coming months I will share with you what is happening in the astrological world and how it relates to you in everyday life. I will also show the connection between Tarot and Astrology.
While we are still feeling the Mars/Aries effects, the Emperor/Tower Cards, from last months post, we now have way more going on with so many more players active in the Heavens. The planetary energy this month is building and a new layer of energy is being added. You may be feeling this shift playing out in your relationships. It is more than just about “me” alone (Mars), although Mars is still the strongest player in the arena right now.
The Planet Venus
Now we have a lovely layer of energy dancing through the atmosphere to assist Mars. It is Venus, and she is just what Mars needs to stay in balance. She helps him rest, repair, ground, center his power, refuel, adjust, gain strength and strategize. The Sun is shining light on Venus right now, and she is dancing around making sure everyone is tended to. She helps us stand back up and help us re-adjust. She does her work through relationships. You might be feeling this in your body’s health and habits, finances, communication, in your home and family, or your career. Our perspective has definitely changed and is adjusting.
That leads me to share the relationship of the planet Venus and The Empress card which have similar energies and gifts to offer us. They are associated with the archetypes of the feminine, the Great Mother. We are also feeling the beautiful nurturing energy of Libra in the air. She is here now, and she is coming in to support Mars directly and indirectly by working behind the scenes. Every warrior needs a safe place to go to rest and recuperate both in body and mental strategy, to adjust and realign.
Libra is here to draw us all inward, to ask ourselves what we need. How often do you stop and slow down and really ask yourself — your body — your soul — your heart — what does it need from you? Do you need to stop allowing negative self talk? Do you want to continue to force and control outcomes? Are you throwing two-year old tantrums and allowing your toddler ego to run the show?
Libra is here to teach the power of release.
No one knows death and rebirth like a mother. A mother sacrifices her ‘Self’ as she has always known herself, in order to become a mother. This is difficult and not always a success.
We are being asked to stop!!
To take responsibility for what is ours. To no longer carry other people’s burdens and struggles. Mars said to stop and take care of YOU. Now, Venus asks us to look at how our behavior is affecting our self and other people. She tells us to stop complaining. To start making a list and fix it. Lay out a plan — step by step — making progress — building brick by brick.
The Empress ( The 3rd Major Arcana card)
The Empress walks upright with integrity. She represents abundance, elegance, peace, femininity, beauty, nature. The Empress signifies a strong connection with our femininity, which translates in many ways – elegance, sensuality, fertility, creative expression, nurturing – and these energies are necessary for creating balance in both men and women. The Empress reminds us to connect with our feminine energy. When we offer gratitude for all that we have and continue to build on this energy, we can create even more abundance in our life.
The Empress card is connected with the planet Venus, the planet of love, creativity, fertility, beauty and grace. The essence of the Empress and Venus are the same. Venus and the Empress call us to create beauty in our lives. To slow down and enjoy the harvest, to celebrate our efforts and appreciate how far we have come.
Simply …. stop and smell the roses… connect with your senses through taste, touch, sound, smell and sight. With abundance comes a heart overflowing with gratitude.
We are in a period of growth. You may be planning a time to get pregnant and start a family, or maybe you are entering the grandparent stage. The Empress teaches that in order to walk upright, we need to ask for the support we need, which many of us fail to do. We are afraid of being vulnerable. With these two energies of asking for help and revealing our vulnerability, together we are all being called to step up and stand upright in our integrity. Do not only what serves you, but what serves the group, the community, the relationship, the partnership. If you’re not a mom, you may also be feeling a strong or even intense urge to nurture and care for others from a place of loving compassion and support. We do not have to give birth to experience the essence of Mother. She is in all of us. We nurture/mother all kinds of things — clients, neighbors, customers, sisters, parents, brothers, friends, pets, hurt or lost wild animals and even plants.
We are part of the Universal cycle of death and rebirth. We are always in this cycle from the day we enter the world. We constantly have to go through this hard process to grow and change, which is inevitable. Collectively we may be approaching the last birthing stage which brings fear and builds excitement. Things are changing fast. Things may feel contracted and tight. But there is lots of value in the last stages…. it’s where the most growth takes place, right up until the birth itself. We are seeing this play out in many ways on multiple levels and in various areas in our lives.
As the Mother Earth archetype, the Empress urges you to venture out into nature to ground your energy and be in flow with the earth. It is the perfect time to take a day trip, or if you’re lucky, to get away longer. Sneak off to your favorite forest, beach, mountain or lake, and sit and breathe in the beauty that surrounds you. I have seen beautiful photos people are posting on social media where we are indulging in the awesome beauty and majesty of nature. This is so healing to the nervous system, which is very helpful in times of COVID19.
Reflection and Journaling with Venus and The Empress
Ask yourself…
What are you most grateful for?
What do you value most in life?
What do you dream of having more or less of in your life?
Embody the essence…
Tune into these senses to experience pleasure and deep fulfilment.
Allow yourself the freedom of intimacy, of sharing your true self in relationships.
Treat yourself to a day spa.
Make a delicious meal and share it with someone.
Spend a romantic weekend or night or lunch date.
Be creative with whatever time you have, and if you don’t have time, find a way to create time together with your partner.
Explore different avenues to express yourself creatively. This is a great time to take up a new hobby: try writing, painting, dancing or learning an instrument, assemble a puzzle, decorate for fall, redecorate your home, paint a room, or play Pictionary. If you’re a mom, play with playdoh, dance, color or even role play with your kids.
The Justice card
I want to bring in a blend with Libra (the month we are in right now) which is represented by the Justice Card. Venus is also the planet that rules Libra, so these two are lovely together. The Justice card is about fairness, peace, harmony, and creating more balance in our system. This takes careful review. We cannot afford to fall asleep or excessively get ahead of ourselves. It’s about being in the moment and taking it piece by piece, step by step, bite by bite. Progress is key. Do not get stuck in perfection.
With Venus in her current position this could be difficult. She is into fixing, serving and beautification mode!! Don’t get caught in criticism of self or others. It is important to breathe in air of this balancing Libra energy. It can bring much peace and harmony to the system and re-set you in a powerful way. It’s about finding a rhythm that works for the group. Every part of a group or body has valuable gifts and wisdom. Learning to dance together in beautiful rhythm and harmony can be frustrating, but once you figure it out, it becomes a beautiful dance you can enjoy!!
Like being in love, Libra rules Love and Relationships. This may be a good time to make adjustments in the area of relationships. The Justice Tarot card has to do with moral sensitivity and that which gives rise to empathy, compassion, and a sense of fairness. It is not about pushing one part out, we need all parts. In order for balance to exist, we must allow all parts of us to be here.
Without one we cannot experience the other.
Examples of Balance
Dark/Light
Me/We
Inside/Outside
Up/Down
Right/Wrong
Good/Bad
Independent/Dependent
Since the time of King Solomon, this image of Justice has represented a standard for the humane and fair-minded treatment of living beings. One of the symbols common to the Justice card and to the Astrological sign of Libra is the image of a scale, which helps to balance our competing personal needs against the needs of the greater good, and a two-edged sword is often pictured to symbolize the precision needed to make clear judgments. This card reminds us to be careful to attend to important details. Do not overlook or rush.
The Justice card advises you to listen carefully as others speak. It is unnecessary to offer feedback. Try stepping back and taking on the others’ perspective, where your role is to just observe and listen compassionately. Be slow to speak, judge, or assume. Make decisions based on what is right for you. Stand up for your beliefs, but first check your beliefs. Maybe you’re carrying beliefs that do not belong to you. Maybe they belong to your parents, and they are not what you believe anymore. It’s okay to have different opinions and ways of doing things. One person’s ways are not more right than another. We must consider others, but without losing ourselves in the group.
Conclusion
Mars is still providing courage, and Libra and Venus seek the truth. Everyone must take responsibility for their actions.
This energy is reminding us to resist all injustice with ZERO tolerance.
Nicole House…
…is a Mom of 4, an Astrologer, Teacher, Women’s Holistic Wellness Coach. She is also a practitioner of the Internal Family Systems Model of Healing Trauma, Addictions and Eating Disorders. She works 1-1, facilitates groups, retreats and yoga workshops. She helps women all over the world reconnect with their Self, maintain alignment with their own true nature, and begin to create the life the love living!!
You can find our more about Nicole at www.Nicole-House.com, and stay connected on Facebook @Nicole.House.Connections and @StarConnectionsAstrology The Astrology House