Look Up Again!
This time, tonight - after sunset
I meant to write about this celestial treat the other day and obviously forgot.
It was only because I waited to take my walk with the pups until after sunset tonight (I waited for the thunderstorms to pass) that I remembered the astronomical (and astrological) event taking place above our heads this week.
Technically, the exact conjunction of Venus and Jupiter took place on Tuesday, June 9th, which is obviously when I should have reminded you to go outside and enjoy the view. But just as the energetic (astrological) influence on us can be felt for at least a day or two before and after the exact conjunction, so too can we witness it with our bare eyes for a good couple of days before and after as well.
FYI, I have exciting news from the fields where I walk that I’ll share tomorrow. I’m only holding out because that news deserves its own revelation and celebration. My point in writing about this conjunction tonight is because I want to strongly encourage you to get outside tomorrow night so you, too, can witness this striking phenomenon before the separation grows so wide that seeing them together is no longer as magical and awe-inspiring.
Seeing these two bright lights in the western sky tonight took my breath away. And the funny thing is, Venus and Jupiter were positioned directly above the subject of that exciting news I’m going to share tomorrow. It was almost as if the planets were acting as heralds. (Although, truth be told, that ‘angelic’ cloud figure from yesterday’s post would certainly have made a superior herald!)
Anyway, to satisfy your intellectual thirst, here is a link to a technical recording of the event from a telescope in Italy.
And here is a link to one of my favorite astrologers, Molly McCord, who discussed this Venus/Jupiter conjunction quite a bit in this week’s podcast (which runs from Wednesday to Tuesday of each week). This week’s aspects engender a lot of optimism and her forecast suggests, among other things, that we stay aware of significant creative opportunities appearing. This makes sense, of course, as Jupiter is all about expansion and benevolence and Venus is most often associated with the things we value and love, from concepts such as beauty, integrity, and honesty, to loving ourselves and other people, as well as the means we have of expressing valuation (money, possessions, etc.).
I’m barely scratching the surface of the significance of the conjunction of these two planets and haven’t even mentioned that it takes place in the astrological sign of Cancer. (Note – you can see in the screenshot from my Sky Guide that the planets are near the constellation of Cancer – but the constellation and the sign do not correspond exactly.)
Cancer is a water sign and its attributes focus a lot on emotions, feelings of safety and protection, as well the family and home, just to name a few. Thus, having the planets of love (Venus) and expansiveness (Jupiter) coming together and amplifying each other in the sign of our emotional well-being and safety…well, it seems like it could be a harbinger of some major sweetness and perhaps creative expression and expansion, romance, nurturing, and an abundance of what we value the most, at least for a few days.
Let’s take as much of that as we can get!
As you can see, though, the planets themselves are putting on a spectacular show. I heartily recommend going outside after the sun has set and drinking in the beauty of this astronomical event. Feel it in your heart and allow it to expand, and in the process, you’ll be celebrating and enjoying the benefits of both astronomy and astrology. Hmmm – science and art. Head and heart.
Imagine what can be achieved when they work together.
I’m outside in the barn, cleaning stalls.. I’ll have to look up!