Mercury on Fixed Star Algol

     Gemini New Moon Ruler Joins Algol

    The upcoming Gemini New Moon has its ruler, Mercury conjoin Algol. We have already seen the terrifying manifestation, when an adolescent lost his mind and committed a horrific massacre. Coinciding with his birthday was the Lunar Eclipse with the Sun almost conjunct Algol, which was perfected on May 16, 2022. This reminds us of the potent effect, for good or bad, of having an eclipse join natal Sun, the day of the individual birthday. In my practice, I've seen time and again, how drastic life changes come to effect in those instances, like divorce, sudden moves, health changes, career changes, marriage, births, etc. Even though the influence doesn't need to be horrendous as this one, it always comes with a challenging change of direction and a fated flavor of something that is inevitable.

Quoting from Astrology King Fixed Stars webpage,

"Fixed star Algol, Beta Persei, is a 2.1 magnitude, rare triple star and eclipsing binary, located in the Medusa’s Head, carried in the left hand of the Hero, Perseus Constellation. The name Algol comes from the Arabic word رئيس الغول, meaning Head of the Ogre. The English translation became Demon Star, with other names being Satan’s Head, the Spectre’s Head. In Chinese, it belongs to s group of stars called the Mausoleum. Algol it appears to blink as shown in the animation below. Every 69 hours, its magnitude dips for about 10 hours before returning to full brightness again."

"In astrology, Algol is one of the most unfortunate stars. Ptolemy referred to it as “the Gorgon of Perseus” and associated it with death by decapitation: mirroring the myth of the hero Perseus’ victory over the snake-headed Gorgon Medusa. Historically, it has received a strong association with violence across a wide variety of cultures. Medieval Arabic commanders tried to ensure that no important battle began whilst the light of Algol was weak. It may be connected to the periodic lucky prognosis in an ancient Egyptian calendar for lucky and unlucky days composed about 3200 years ago. The 17th-century English astrologer William Lilly regarded any planet to be afflicted when within five degrees of conjunction."

"Astrologers, of course, said that it was the most unfortunate, violent, and dangerous star in the heavens, and it certainly has been one of the best observed, as the most noteworthy variable in the northern sky."

"Algol represents the head of the Gorgon Medusa who was slain by Perseus. Medusa, who was the only mortal one of the three Gorgon sisters, was originally a beautiful maiden, but her hair was changed into hissing serpents by Minerva in consequence of her having become by Neptune the mother of Chrysaor and Pegasus in one of Minerva’s temples. This gave her so fearful an appearance that everyone who looked at her was changed into stone.Fixed star Algol is of the nature of Saturn and Jupiter (dignified, pious, conservative, acquisitive, retentive.) It causes misfortune, violence, decapitation, hanging, electrocution and mob violence, and gives a dogged and violent nature that causes death to the native or others. It is the most evil star in the heavens." Astrology King Algol Fixed Star

    Be advised that even a totally normal person can have a switch of mental disposition with the influence of this energy during the entire Gemini Moon cycle. Those people ruled by Mercury, depending on its placement, dignity and aspects in your chart, should keep high awareness of their mental changes and seek help when needed, to avoid a mental crisis. If you or someone you know has been under mental health treatment, my suggestion is to keep close to the health care provider for support and counseling during the whole month and especially around the Sagittarius Full Moon (remember that Sagittarius ruler, Jupiter is in Aries with Mars!, not a very auspicious combination when it comes to violent reactions).

Blessings, Sat Nam!

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Hygiea in Scorpio and Important Aspects 2022

Hygiea, Statue in the National Museum of Athens

August 28, 2022

Hygeia conjunct South Node of the Moon

 

    Discovered in 1849, Hygiea is the fourth biggest Asteroid in the Solar System and has an orbit of 2033 days or 5.5 years around the Sun.  Because of the gravitational pull of nearby planets Jupiter and Saturn, astronomers calculate that Hygeia’s orbit is variable over time. The symbolism of this may mean that the structures of healthcare and hygiene may depend on the cultural ideologies, cosmology or philosophy of the people, and their practices, and be contingent to what is available in the native environment. 

    In Astrology, she is the Asteroid of Wellness, Hygiene and Disease Prevention. According to its placement in your  natal chart, may inform you as to how to apply the preventive measures to your personal life. When I discovered that she is exactly on my North Node in Virgo, I understood why I've always been concerned about such matters as diet, nutrition, exercise, and I have studied so much about health since very young age. If you are a preventive healthcare professional or a dental hygienist, a nutritionist, a dietitian, a fitness coach, a holistic healer, Hygiea might definitely have a prominent placement in your chart. 

    Since the pandemic outbreak everyone has develop new ways to address health issues. Hopefully, people have better valued self-care routines, nutrition improvement, better lifestyle choices and more respect to the resting time, in order to protect and strengthen the immune system. 

    Equally important is to attend to your mental health, and keep an eye on all those things that make you more anxious or give you unnecessary stress. Thich Nhat Hanh used to say that we should watch all intake, not only food, but also the news we hear or watch, the books we read, the words we receive and say. In fact everything has a vibration with the potential to affect our energy field. Astrologers specialized in the health, have also focused more closely on discovering parallels between wellness and health hygiene practices and the placement of asteroid Hygeia in the natal chart. 

    In Greek and Roman mythology, Hygiea is the Goddess of Hygiene and Health prevention. She was one of Asclepius' daughters, the God of Medicine, Her symbol and glyph is a single snake wrapping around a cup. Her symbol is still emblematic as it is used in pharmacies, ambulances, and hospitals. She was one of five sisters representing different aspects of health and healing. Hygeia’s specialty was preventative medicine. This includes lifestyle choices and practices to care not only for the physical body but also for the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of life in order to keep good health, and avoid dis-ease. Washing hands, taking showers, avoiding contaminated food, drinking plenty of pure water, exercising are as important as living a harmonious life with the members of the family, having a balanced day between work and rest, and practicing some kind of relaxation or spiritual ritual.

September 6, 2022

Opposite Uranus in Taurus Square Saturn

    It's very significant that the talk of #monkeypox, an illness associated with sexual contacts, has come up to the public awareness as soon as Hygiea entered the Sign of Scorpio. The conjunction of Hygiea and the South Node of the Moon at the time of the Virgo New Moon (August 27, 2022) is greatly significant as well. More so considering the fact that the conjunction happens at 15º Scorpio.

    The middle of the fixed Signs is called the Gate of the Avatar, Avatars Gates, Cross Quarters is half way between the equinox and the solstice, exact middle of the fixed season, the most intense manifestation of fixed sign. Makes the essence of the Sign come powerfully through the cosmic body conjoining it. Enhances its unusual and transcendental qualities. Avatar is a spiritual being or soul with magical or divine power, extreme expression of the spiritual manifestation of its nature.1

    The individual can use this planet (in this case asteroid Hygiea) to transcend difficulties or to achieve their highest goals. These degrees are at the heart of the fixed signs, so that equals persistence; the ability to be stable and steadfast through difficulty. It makes it possible to beat the odds. Therefore, there is something about the divine gate that allows the strongest planetary energy to enter and become highly prominent in the life. 1 The South Node of the Moon adds potency to the conjunction.

    But not only. At 15°04 Scorpio the fixed Star of South Scale (#ZubenAlgenubi) is found. She is associated with 

    "Loss, theft, betrayal, abuse, venereal disease, poisoning, drowning, anguish, revenge, criminality. South Scale was classified by Ptolemy as a Jupiter-Mars star, [...] a lady with the scales of Libra in one hand, and the martian sword in the other. Jupiter is fair and merciful, even though he must point a sword to the guilty, beneficent to the plaintiff who has been wronged."

    "If harshly aspected, especially to Mars, Saturn or Moon, justice may well take a back seat to vengeance. Such a person does well not to get into any kind of job where he can use his power, for surely he will himself live to regret it in public dishonor or worse. It is well to remember here the other association of this star with a scorpion’s claw, used for making love as well as for slaying its prey. It does not let go until one or other matter is complete, and onlookers are not sure which of the two acts is actually in process. Sometimes even the Scorpion seems to get it wrong along the way! It frequently shows up ill-aspected in many unfortunate situations, from domestic strife and miscarriages of justice to psychopathic killings that started out in the guise of love. But again, its appearance in better aspect is often just the right moment to repair a relationship and to reconsider an earlier harsh judgment. [...] Zubenelgenubi star rules the lower half of the colon in the human body."2

    

    Conjunctions can go either way, positive or negative or a mix of both. However, at the moment, Hygiea is part of a Grand Cross, with squares to Venus and Saturn, and opposition to Uranus. Other than increasing awareness of the spread of this new illness, the Virgo New Moon may help us all make more serious consideration regarding healthy habits to prevent contagion.

 
    Hygeia's domain is much more than washing hands and wear masks. Goddess Hygeia taught good judgement in food intake, and the importance of keeping a balance in the flora and fauna of the digestive system, to preserve overall health balance. She rules the daily routines that take care of the body like drinking enough water, getting a good night’s sleep, breathing deeply, balance work, play and rest, get enough and appropriate sunlight, etc.

    I invite you to share any situation or event associated with the transit of Hygeia in Scorpio in general, be it in individual life or in the environment. As Astrologers of the Health, we are still learning about her influence. Keep an eye especially when she joins the South Node of the Moon on August 28, 2022, or when she opposes Uranus on September 6. However, she may be triggered at any time since she is already in orb for those aspects. I'd appreciate if you make comments below and contribute to our knowledge. Thank you in advance. 

Sat Nam.

REFERENCES

1-  Hygiea, by Nissa Grazda

2-  Quote from AstrologyKing, Fixed Stars)

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