Astrological Self-Awareness Blog

The Rising Magazine

2011-01-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

I wanted to let everyone know that I recently created a holistic health, spiritually based magazine called, "The Rising Magazine". My friend Hyesuk White is the Co-Publisher with me and Kevin Scarborough is the Artistic Design & Layout person. We are excited and busy working on the first issue, which is due out in February 2011. It is a bi-monthly publication and we are very excited to have an excellent staff of writers and columns in our magazine that cover a wide range of topics.

Please visit the Rising Magazine's website at http://www.therisingmagazine.com and email me if you would like a subscription mailed directly to you.

Email Carmen at therisingmagazine@hotmail.com for sales and advertising information or if you want to order a subscription.

Thank you guys!

Carmen

Book Release: "The Mysteries of the Eighth Astrological House"

2010-12-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

After 17 years of researching the eighth astrological house, I finally finished my book. This book was written for all the clients and friends out there that emailed me about their personal experiences with the eighth house. I want to thank each person who emailed me and I hope this book helps you find some answers.

You can purchase this book directly from me and receive a signed copy (carmenturnerschott@hotmail.com) or you can purchase via Amazon.com at the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Mysteries-Eighth-Astrological-House-Phoenix/dp/1450534503/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1292383449&sr=8-7

Please visit more of my writings on the PsychoSpiritual Section of All Things Healing at http://www.allthingshealing.com/ as I am now the Editor/Writer for this section.

If you have articles that you would like to submit or share that are related to psychology and spirituality please email me directly.

Many Blessings!

Carmen Turner-Schott

Author, Astrologer, Therapist, Teacher, Carmen Turner- Schott Uses Practical Counseling And Life Coaching To Educate And Increase Awareness

2010-03-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Author, Astrologer, Therapist, Teacher, Carmen Turner- Schott Uses Practical Counseling And Life Coaching To Educate And Increase Awareness

The Zodiac and Washington D.C.

2010-03-07T15:51:00.000-08:00

Today I hosted my first BBS Radio Show. I have been fascinated by some research that my friend Ken had shared with me. He lives in Washington D.C. and he had sent me information about a book by David Ovason called, "The Secret Architecture of Our Nation's Capital" and also information about a book by Dan Brown called, "The Lost Symbol". In short, Ovason did a lot of research on the monuments in Washington D.C. as far as when they were erected and even the ancient zodiacal symbols (hidden) found in the art and decor of D.C. The are not hidden but in plain view for those that notice them.

The Library of Congress Zodiac Floor

Supposedly there are 23 zodiac symbols throughout D.C. on major tourist attractions. Did the founding fathers purposely put astrological symbols in art or was it a coincidence? I think they knew excactly what they were doing, becayse there are too many astrological symbols found throughout the city.

The sign Virgo is found throughout the capital and in astrology we know Virgo's symbol as the Maiden holding a shef of wheat. Virgo is known to give birtt, life, to new things, with her symbol being a "M" turned inward. Maybe the founders realized that Virgo was a good sign when to build the monuments because it was "a new path, birth, start of a good harvest". Ovason cites that there are numerous images of a beautiful woman holding a sheaf of grain, the symbol of Virgo that appears numerous times in architectural decorations across D.C.

There are 23 zodiacs in public government buildings in Washington D.C. and many other monuments and rooms. The National Academy of Science has a wonderful statue of Albert Einstein overlooking a granite horoscope of the actual chart for the statue's dedication ceremony. There are also twelve bronze stylized zodiacal characters on the south entrance hall door.

Astrological zodiac images appear in the Library of Congress in the Great Hall on the floor, on the ceiling, in the portal, on a door sprandrel and there is a zodiacal clock there too. Why all the astrology images? It appears our Nation's early founders had a knowledge of astrology dating from their masonic roots or they were practicing astrologers themselves!

In the Capital building there is a statue there called the Car of History, which was sculpted in 1819. The images of the signs Saggitarius, Capricorn and Aquarius appear on the front of the winged chariot. In the Federal Reserve Building there is a glass ceiling lamp depicting the zodiacal signs as well as Virgo and the Virgin Mary shown there.

It is fascinating to learn about this and next time I am in Washington D.C. I am going to check this out.

To listen to the interview and find out more about this you can visit my BBS webpage and check out the Archives of the show in a few days and listen to the recorded show. Visit Astrology Awareness Radio Show at http://www.bbsradio.com/astrologyawareness/

Change

2010-02-23T17:36:00.001-08:00

Why is change so hard for human beings? Is it just my darn Taurus south node that is getting me down? I just feel like I need time to adjust and reassembly myself. I wish it did not bother me but any subtle change in my environment affects my emotions and mind. I am trying to release the past and move towards Scorpio. The sign of change and transformation. I am trying to be reborn and be happy about it.

A Deeper Look at the Sun Signs

2010-01-27T15:06:00.000-08:00

Carmen's book, "A Deeper Look at the Sun Signs" is available on Amazon.com and various on-line bookstores.

Learn more about each of the twelve zodiac signs and unique personality traits of each.

Visit this link to purchase or read more about it.

http://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Look-Sun-Signs/dp/1419652176/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264633499&sr=8-1

Venus in the Twelfth House: Secret Love Affairs & Heartache

2010-01-27T06:44:00.000-08:00

Venus in the Twelfth House: Secret Love Affairs & Heartache
by Carmen Turner-Schott

In our astrological chart, the planet Venus represents love, affection, beauty, and harmony. The house where Venus is placed in our natal chart will reveal our emotional expressiveness and our ability to express love. Venus will show what kind of lover we are and what traits we find attractive in others. The house where Venus sits is extremely important for our intimate relationships. It enables us to express our love nature and directs how we express that love to others. When Venus is placed within the twelfth house, there are many opportunities. The twelfth house is known as the “House of Suffering”. All issues that rule this house are kept hidden or secret. The deep secrets about our own personality, as well as our emotions are locked within this house. Having Venus placed here is an indicator of suffering through love affairs and through heartache at some time in one’s life.

Almost every astrology book you read will tell you that a Venus in the twelfth individual is destined to experience clandestine or secret love affairs. How and why does this happen? This happens because the expression of love is kept secret from others. The initial emotion of love is held within and sometimes never expressed. Individuals with this placement often find themselves in love with someone that is not free. This often manifests as falling in love with someone who is already married or committed to someone else. Below, I will show several examples of individuals that I have worked with who have experienced the intense shock of having Venus in the twelfth house.

I have studied several charts with this placement and almost every time the client reveals to me that they either had an affair, were in love with someone they could not be with, or they were in love with someone and never let them know. The first individual has the Sun and Venus in her twelfth house. She was spiritual, compassionate, and sensitive to others feelings. Happily married for three years, her life suddenly changed. She met someone at work and instantly fell in love. The connection between her and this co-worker was very strong and undeniable. The feelings were mutual between them, but they both were married with children. She described to me how devastating it was for her to feel that way about someone other than her husband. She felt intense guilt and shame for the love she had in her heart. That love was ignited and it seemed that nothing could ever shake it. This individual told me that she cried in her room each night and asked God to take away the love in her heart for the other man. The sadness in her heart was almost unbearable. She learned to live with her feelings in secret. She believed in the sanctity of marriage and she never betrayed her husband. She never told her husband about her feelings for this other man. Eventually, she moved to another state. This example illustrates how individuals with Venus in the twelfth individual’s suffer through love and relationships.

This suffering occurs because it if often inappropriate to feel and express the love they have openly. The secret nature of the twelfth house forces the Venus love energy inward, deep within and into the darkest recesses of the heart. There is often an inability to express the love nature due to material, practical, psychological or moral reasons. There was a female client that I met recently, who has the Sun and Venus in the twelfth house. She had experienced tremendous heartache and suffering with her husband for seven years. She was in an emotionally abusive marriage and did not realize that she was unhappy and lonely. One day she reconnected with an old childhood friend from her past who she had loved deeply. There was a long history between them and a deep bond that was always there no matter how much time passed. They started out writing to each other on email and the next thing she knew, her heart was ignited, opened up and energized for the first time in six years. Feeling intense love for this man again, she realized that love was always there locked deep within her heart. She felt alive for the first time in ages. Excitement and energy rushed through her veins each time she spoke to him on email. Eventually, the two of them decided to meet for lunch as friends. She did not realize what would happen to her that day and how it would change her life forever. She was walking into the fire with a bomb strapped on her back. When she saw him for the first time in seven years, she felt as though only a few hours had passed. It was as if she had known him her entire life, due to the deep, comfortable, feelings that she had instantly for him. She fell in love with him all over again. The problem was that he was happily married and did not want to change his life. She knew that he loved her deeply, but she knew it was not fair to ask him to change for her. She was in a miserable marriage and was desperately seeking love. She just did not realize she would find it with him all over again. The day she saw him changed her life forever. She decided to stop the communication with him, because it was too painful for her. Eventually she separated from her husband, even though she knew she was in love with someone she could never have. To this day she still loves him in secret and keeps those loving feelings in her heart hidden from everyone she knows.

Many individuals with Venus in the twelfth house experience secret love affairs. Sometimes the feelings are acted on and other times they are kept hidden and repressed. Not all individuals with Venus in the twelfth will cheat on their spouse, but many will have “emotional affairs” because of the energy of this placement. Even the most moral, committed and happily married individual can fall prey to this placement. I have seen it hundreds of times with clients and with friends in my life. This placement of Venus is extremely difficult, but with understanding and compassion these individuals will eventually heal. Suffering arises as a result of the situations that these individuals find themselves in. It is important for anyone with this placement to truly look within and be honest about their emotions. If you have Venus in the twelfth house and have experienced relationships like the ones described above, remember that you have free will and choice as to how you respond to this placement. The energy here will eventually manifest, but with extra knowledge you can become aware and empowered. The more I research this placement, the more I believe in destiny. These individuals are destined to experience these types of relationships and secret love affairs for their growth. Everything that we go through is meant for our learning and our soul’s evolution. Try to look as this placement as a teacher of what healthy relationships symbolize for you and fight to resist this energy.

You have the power to make choices for your own life and when you feel the energy is overwhelming you to act, step back, relax and try to find a way to change the future. My goal is to use astrology to help others experience greater self awareness and to understand themselves better. By doing this, we can come to better accept ourselves and our own actions. If you experience these situations in your life, look to your natal chart and see if Venus is in the twelfth. If it is, try to remember that this is planetary energy expressing itself. You have experiences and karma to learn and go through, plain and simple. Trust yourself and trust in the power of experience. Try not to blame yourself if you fall prey to this intense placement. It is a part of your soul’s journey.

The Mysteries of the Eighth House: House of Death & Transformation

2010-01-27T06:40:00.000-08:00

The Mysteries of the 8th House: House of Death & Transformation
by Carmen Turner-Schott

After studying astrology for several years, it became evident to me that the most powerful house in our astrological chart was the eighth house. Each time I analyzed a natal chart, there would be a common thread for all individuals who had planets in this house. I want to paint a picture of the most intense house in our chart: the house of death. The Eighth house is ruled by the sign Scorpio. All issues related to Scorpio rule this house. Most importantly death, sexuality, secrets, other people’s resources, sacrifice and the unseen world of spirits, astral entities, ghosts or our direct experience with such things. Anything that is taboo, intense, uncomfortable and deep lingers in this house. Having planets in this house will cause individuals to obsess over death. Death is symbolic of change. In the tarot deck, the Death card represents transformation, regeneration and change. All these facts are found within the eighth house.

Many individuals with planets here will benefit through other people's resources. This house rules legacies, inheritances and land. Anything that is given to us through the death of someone close is eighth house territory. This is the house of sacrifice. What does sacrifice truly mean? Individuals with planets here, especially the Sun or Moon, will experience great benefits given to them from others. Many people will sacrifice so that these individuals are taken care of financially. Other times, the energy can manifest the opposite way. Individuals may find themselves constantly sacrificing their own emotions and what they really want for others. Sometimes they may fall in love with someone who is not free. They may stay with a spouse out of guilt or responsibility, when their heart belongs to someone else. These situations can create a deep-seated loneliness and feelings of resentfulness. There is no way to escape this energy. Individuals with eighth house energy must transform and let things die in order to benefit. Growing spiritually, and achieving a deep insight into others, is the gifts of this house. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of the eighth house is the word, Energy. The subtle energies that surround our physical bodies known as chi, prana, and life force, and how this energy can be used to heal others. When we have planets in the eighth house, we are very sensitive to these energies. Individuals with planets placed here will be extremely sensitive to energy and will be able to “feel” other people’s pain, emotions, and energy field. Unfortunately, many times this is very painful for the individual. If individuals are not aware of this ability, then they might do two possible things. First, they might choose to ignore their insights and become increasingly lonelier. Second, they might take all these threats as personal and believe that others do not like them. They might withdrawal from others and put up an invisible wall to keep them safe.

You can imagine how painful it would be to feel other's suffering. Individuals can see through other people’s motives, thoughts, and actions. What others show them on the outside is insignificant, because we will zone into their true energy, thoughts and emotions. When these don’t match up, we know it and feel it in a deep way. A deep feeling of loneliness can be experienced for individuals, especially with the Sun or Moon placed in this house at birth.

When individuals first experience this energy, they may doubt themselves or second guess their perceptions. Eventually they must learn to trust their intuition. I want to discuss a client that has several eighth house planets and one experience that she shared with me. She is a social worker, and as part of her job has to perform home visits. One time in particular, she made a home visit for the first time to a new family. The client was a 15-year-old girl who was adopted when she was five years old. She lived with her mother and her mother’s boyfriend at the time. When she arrived, things seemed normal, until the boyfriend got home. She was doing the first interview with the daughter and the mother at the kitchen table. When the boyfriend walked into the room, she instantly thought and felt, “This man has made sexual advances toward the 15-year-old.” She shoved the thought out of her head because she did not know where it came from, and knew she did not know the family well enough to suspect something like that. She left the home, and after several weeks, received a call from another helping professional. This helping professional called her to voice her concern about the 15-year-old, who had accused the boyfriend of making sexual advances toward her a year prior. The social worker had no idea of this factual information at the time of the first interview, when she “felt” what was truly going on in this family. Each experience like this one leads to a deeper understanding of self and others. Individuals with planets here can feel very different than other people. They can feel like no one understands them and that no one else in their life thinks or feels as they do. I see and hear this all the time from people with planets in the eighth house. The truth is that they are right. Most people do not feel other's feelings, thoughts, or intentions so accurately. Most people just take things at face value and do not question or look deeper into their fellow man. The ability to see truth is a unique gift, although it can make individuals feel separate from others, eventually leading to depression if not addressed. Many individuals with planets in this house experience depression and are often treated with medication. One way to alleviate this depression is by protecting oneself. The use of protection rituals are extremely important for these individuals. A basic protection ritual can be implemented such as visualizing a white bubble around oneself. When individuals are in contact with others that have a negative effect on them, visualizing a white light around themselves will help. It is important to visualize this protective bubble daily and to have the intent in mind that nothing negative will get into your aura. Several techniques can be used, but this is the most basic and it works. After researching this issue for myself and others, it dawned on me what the true lesson of the eighth house is. Instead of feeling separate or different from others, we need to think of it as feeling our “Oneness” with others. These individuals are feeling other's energies, auras, thought forms and emotions. This is being one with others, not separate. If these individuals can begin to look at their experiences in this way, they will start to feel an unexplained happiness come over them. They will realize that they are truly blessed and would never want to lose the natural healing gifts that they possess.

The house of Scorpio is known as the house of death. Many times individuals with planets here, especially the Sun or Moon, experience the death of someone close to them at a young age. They begin to have a deep awareness and concern within themselves that people die, things change, and they themselves will one day die. They always have a sense of their own mortality. This urge or awareness is always in their consciousness pushing them forward in life. They try to live each day to the fullest. The true lesson for them is to realize that death is just an illusion, a transition or a transformation. The truth is that nothing ever truly dies. Energy is merely transformed into another level of existence. Just as physics states, “Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but is merely transformed into another substance.” A dear friend of mine has witnessed eighth house energy her entire life. She has the Sun, Mercury and Saturn all in the eighth house. The Sun represents the father figure, and in her case, encompasses all the facts about the eighth house. Her father died when she was 13 years old. She and her mother were left to raise her five siblings. They lost the family business when he died unexpectedly. She did inherit some money from his death, but the bitter wounds of losing a father at such a young age still haunt her to this day. She told me once that she often feels that something in her dies and she suddenly feels completely different. One night she was lying in bed and felt this intense energy surrounding her. Her entire body began to shake and she felt this energy run up her chakras. The next thing she felt was total sadness. She told me that the only way to describe it was that it was like something “died inside her.” After that moment, her life has never been the same. This is the eighth house in action. True healers, body workers, counselors and psychics usually have planets in the eighth house.

The most powerful healers often have Pluto there. Several body workers, Reiki masters, and pranic healers also have this placement. The most important thing to remember is that the eighth house does not lie. It calls out of the woodwork all truths, emotions, feelings and thoughts. Those with eyes to see will see. Just remember to experience this as oneness with others, not separateness. In the end, this will only increase your abilities and understanding of your purpose here on earth. The eighth house is nothing to be afraid of, because it is a blessing in disguise. Individuals with planets here are truly our world’s future healers.

Sun in the Twelfth House: Suffering & The Father

2010-01-27T06:37:00.000-08:00

Sun in the 12th House: Suffering & the Father

By Carmen Turner-Schott

The Sun glows brightly in the sky reminding us of its power. Without the Sun there can be no life. In our astrological chart, the Sun represents our main identity, personality, and outward appearance. On a deeper level, the Sun represents the father figure in our life. Our father figure represents a powerful person in our life and can have a significant impact on each of us for good or bad. Unfortunately, with the Sun in the twelfth house there is unusual suffering related to the father figure. First we need to understand the nature of the Twelfth house as one of the most spiritual houses in our astrological chart. It represents issues related to spirituality, secrets, karma, charity, confinement, institutions, suffering, cosmic consciousness, meditation, escapism and service to humanity. When our main identity is placed in this house, we often become an intuitive person. It creates the type of person that is extremely sensitive to other people’s feelings and emotions. Individuals with the Sun placed here are compassionate, caring and self-sacrificing. A loss of boundaries about oneself and others can occur when planets are placed in the twelfth house. Wherever the Sun is placed in our chart, is where we are forced to find our oneness with God and find out who we truly are. This very early development usually begins with a bonding with our earthly father. There are three key situations that I have observed, with individuals with the Sun in the twelfth house. The first thing is that there is always a feeling of detachment from the father figure. This can occur for many reasons, but the most frequent reason, is loss of the father figure through death at a young age. Individuals are unable to bond with the father figure due to their sudden death or absence. I cannot tell you how many times I have had clients say,” My father died when I was five”, “My father died when I was ten”, and “I never knew my father.” These statements are confirmed continuously for me, whenever I do a chart with someone with the Sun in the twelfth. The second manifestation that occurs is that the father figure can have a drug or alcohol problem, which makes them incapable of bonding with the child. Individuals grow up feeling detached and perceive their father as distant.
The last thing that tends to occurs is what I call an “absent or missing father figure”. The father is physically in the individual’s life, but there is no relationship and no bond. The father might work a lot, travel a lot or simply does not communicate with the individual while growing up. Therefore, in all three instances there is a feeling that one does not have a father. A deep seated loneliness can arise for these individuals, because they always feel that they are seeking that fatherly energy. Some females with this placement might seek it through relationships with men. This can cause a variety of problems and often more suffering. Whenever they start to make that partner the complete focus of their life, it will get stripped away by the universe. The individual is forced to turn to the higher forces for that energy. This lesson might happen several times before they realize what is happening to them. Men with this placement might feel uncomfortable with other men. These individuals might only seek out female companionship. They might isolate any potential male friends, because of an innate fear of the unknown. They do not know how to respond to other males because of the absent bond with the father figure.

These experiences are very normal for individuals with this placement. The primary reason that this occurs is to force the individual to seek one’s true father which is God. There is a lot of suffering that comes from this placement, but significant growth and spiritual advancement as well. Each person must come to a point where they seek a greater love that is beyond the physical. With this placement the person will find their oneness with God or the creative forces by service to others and putting this first in one’s life. When the person finds that bond with the creative forces and feels that unconditional love that is beyond words, they feel totally accepted and loved. This is the primary lesson that souls with this placement have chosen to endure. After they do that, then they might have the great honor of finding that bond with another physical person. This will not manifest for them until they master the basic lesson of this house. Individuals are sometimes forced to seek God or the creative forces through experiencing suffering, heartache, depression and feelings of loneliness. These feelings occur to push individuals forward in fulfilling their true purpose. Finding oneness with God and humanity is their ultimate goal. To feel oneness with humanity is a daunting task, but these individuals are more equipped at pursuing it, handling it and succeeding at. The father figure circumstances in their lives no longer are a curse, but can become a blessing in disguise.

This placement of the Sun is truly a blessing for those with it, even though it might seem unfair at first. I urge individuals who have experienced the truths of this placement to know that they are not alone and that there is a spiritual reason andpredictor of why this occurs. I urge them not to think of themselves as victims or believe that the universe cheated them out of a relationship with a physical father. The most important thing to remember is that the universe has a plan and that plan is for intense oneness and love for our spiritual father. This feeling is often beyond words.

New website launched

2010-01-27T05:10:00.000-08:00

Just upgraded and revamped our website, please visit http://www.astrology-awareness.com/
to check out our new services. There are still things we are working on but it is up.

Thanks!
Carmen

Astrological Symbolism Found Within the Tarot

2010-01-26T09:02:00.000-08:00

Astrological Symbolism Found Within the Tarot

By Carmen Turner-Schott

The significance of astrological symbols can be found within several of the Major Arcana cards in the Ryder-Waite deck. It is amazing to observe these subtle symbols which seem to be hidden to the untrained eye. The cards seem to tell a deeper story and are conveying a more profound meaning than what the traditional meanings reveal. Once there is a conscious awareness of these symbols one can gain a much deeper understanding of the energies surrounding each card.

The pregnant female sits on her throne surrounded by a beautiful field of harvest and wheat. Surrounded by nature she is peaceful and relaxed. On the ground next to her you can see a heart with the symbol of the planet Venus within it. Venus, the planet of love, harmony, and relationships governs this card. The beauty of creation and abundance surround her. She finds herself pregnant, which symbolizes the power of creativity, artistic ability, and romance. The energy of Venus can be felt as you look into her eyes. The Empress symbolizes more than just fertility but encompasses all the energy of the planet Venus.

A stern looking male figure sits on his throne with two symbolic rams nestled under each hand. The sign of Aries and planet Mars rule his domain because as the Emperor he must be ready for battle. While the Empress embodies creation, her counterpart represents war and destruction. He is governed by the planet of aggression which directs his focus on issues of war, discipline and determination. His concern is more selfish and egotistical than his counterpart but the two cannot exist without the other. It is the classic universal truth of yin versus yang, good versus evil and creation versus destruction. Both must exist to balance the other and to obtain universal order.

You have probably heard the saying "Justice is blind", well not in this deck. A figure sits holding a sword in one hand and scales in the other. With eyes wide opened he tries to balance the opposing sides of his nature. Like the sign of Libra, whose symbol is the scales of balance he is trying to stay in control and do what is right. The sword he is carrying represents the air element which is symbolic of the element that rules his sign. Fighting for justice, doing the right thing and encouraging morality are all traits he tries to live up to. Problems arise when he becomes unbalanced and when the scales are tipped out of control. Indecisiveness arises causing a multitude of problems along the way. He has the best intentions but must be careful not to become unbalanced and allow injustice to creep into his consciousness.

The most significant astrological symbolism can be found in the World. A figure floats inside a circle representing the wheel of life. The unique image of a man's face in the top left corner, a lion in the bottom right corner, a bull in the lower left corner and an eagle in the top right corner surround her. The lion represents Leo, the man's face symbolizes Aquarius, the Bull represents Taurus and the Eagle is the ancient symbol of Scorpio. Each symbol opposes each other just as they do on the astrological wheel. Polar opposites trying to balance each other, just as they do in nature create stability.

There are many comparisons but these are the most obvious to the casual eye. Next time you look at these cards you will be able to feel the astrological energies pouring out from them. Let them guide you towards a deeper understanding and interpretation

Astrology: A Map of the Soul

2010-01-25T19:44:00.001-08:00

Spiritual Astrology: A Map of the Soul

by Carmen Turner-Schott

Astrology is the study of the positions and aspects of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human affairs. If you have studied physics you know that everything is made up of energy. Our physical bodies have an energetic field around them at all times. Celestial bodies are known as planets. What do planets do? They give off energy and cause motion within the universe. Human beings are part of that universe and are affected tremendously by everything that happens in the environment.

More importantly, astrology shows how the energies of the solar system affect us. Everything in the universe is made up of energy. I like to tell my clients that the planets energies affect you at all times, but you always have free will and choice. We choose how to respond to the energies that affect us based on our thoughts, words and actions. The Moon affects the tides of the ocean so why wouldn't it affect us? Did you ever wonder why when their is a Full Moon people are more irritable, more cars are broken down on the side of the road, and more people visit the emergency room? This is not coincidence. The Moon rules our emotional nature and influences our reactions immensely because the physical body is made up of 90 % water. Astrology is a science, but my goal is to make it understandable and applicable in a practical way for self-awareness and growth.

Throughout history, famous people have studied astrology and used it for several purposes. The Three Wise Men in the Bible were astrologers and learned that Christ would be born at a conjunction of planets. This is when planets appear in the same time and place in the sky and this begins the start of a new cycle. Pythagoras, Nostradamos and Sir Isaac Newton were astrologers. The Bible is filled with astrological information. Christ had twelve disciples and there were twelve tribes of Israel, which are associated with the twelve signs of the zodiac. In the book, Kabalistic Astrology it is explained that the twelve sons of Jacob were representative of the twelve signs of the zodiac and that the personality traits of each son were used to describe each sun sign we know today.

Astrology is a map of the soul. Your natal chart is calculated based on the date, exact time and place of your birth. The natal chart shows your main personality traits, emotional nature, how you think, how you are in relationships, what type of careers you are drawn to, psychic abilities, where you suffer, your childhood experiences, your relationship with your parents, and your soul’s past lives and current soul mission. Everything about yourself is seen in the natal chart and when it is interpreted correctly it will only validate things you always know about yourself. Many of my client’s tell me that they always wanted to do certain things or they felt a certain way and never understood it until I reaffirmed it for them. This is the power of basic personality astrology when it is used as a tool for self-awareness.

The other side of astrological counseling is that it helps us understand others in our lives such as family members, co-workers, children and relationship partners. When we have a basic knowledge of astrology then we can apply it in a practical way in all relationships in our lives. This helps each of us accept and understand others on a deeper level and this creates more harmony in the physical world.

Astrology is a powerful tool for self-awareness. There are many different types of astrology and several different charts such as transits, progressions, solar return, composite, and compatibility. My goal is to make each one of these astrological counseling techniques understandable and to spark an interest in others to learn more about astrology in the process

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Jupiter

2010-01-25T19:42:00.001-08:00

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Jupiter

By Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW
Jupiter is the larges planet in our solar system and is more than 300 times as massive as the Earth. Jupiter is the most brilliant object in the sky and sometimes rivals any star. In ancient mythology, Jupiter was the ruler of the heavens and was all powerful. He represented good faith, honor and wisdom.

Jupiter is the planet of good luck, optimism, success and generosity. The position of Jupiter in the natal chart, shows where we feel that we benefit and where find expansion. Jupiter’s energy reveals what we truly value and what is important to us. It is a blessing in our chart and unleashes a positive and optimistic energy into our lives. Abundance and good fortune are often associated with Jupiter. How outgoing you are and whether you attract money and in what career you will have the most luck are all areas Jupiter rules.

Jupiter rules the sign Sagittarius. Sagittarians are known to be the most optimistic of the signs and always look into the world with a positive eye. If others see negative, they have an uncanny ability to point out the good things. Jupiter rules higher learning, knowledge, and honesty which are all traits of Sagittarians. These same issues rule the ninth house in our natal chart, the house that Jupiter and Sagittarius rule. Jupiter gives Sagittarians luck, generosity, and an expansive nature and desire to travel. Through travel and movement we can expand ourselves and move beyond our limitations. Jupiter in our chart shows where we will benefit from others financially, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

The house that Jupiter is placed in our chart will show where we will have a strong good luck streak and ability to accumulate positive things, whether they are material, emotional or spiritual things. Individuals with Jupiter placed in the eighth house often inherit money, land or resources from someone in their lives, often a close family member. The eighth house rules other people’s resources and our marriage partner. Good luck and fortune come from the marriage partner or inheritance when Jupiter is placed in this house. When Jupiter is placed in the fifth house there is a focus on artistic matters, acting, writing, dancing and creative self-expression all will be seen within the individuals life in some way. If the individuals themselves do not receive these blessings, their children will often inherit these abilities. The sign placement is an important indicator of how and what type of energy is expressed. For instance, a person with Jupiter in Gemini will be very restless, expressive, and communicative and possibly have a writing talent and natural teaching ability. A person with Jupiter in Aries will be very giving, impulsive, romantic and enterprising.

The planet Jupiter is one of the most positive planets in our natal chart and its presence usually makes itself felt in the material world. Abundance and expansiveness are Jupiter’s energy and each of us should bask in this positive energy.

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Sun

2010-01-25T19:41:00.000-08:00

A Deeper Look at the Planets: The Sun

By Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW

The Sun glows brightly in the sky, radiating warmth on us all. It is the most prominent figure in our solar system and without it there could be no life. The Sun is personified and was worshipped by many ancient cultures. For instance, the Greeks called it helios and the Romans called it Sol. The Eygyptians believed that Ra was the Sun God and that he made his way across the solar system each night and arose each morning in the east. He is depicted in human form with a falcon head, crowned with the sun disc encircled with the sacred cobra. The symbol of the Sun is a circle with a dot in the center. This ancient symbol was once the alchemical symbol for Gold. Alchemists believed it represented the perfection of all matter, including mind, spirit and the soul.

The symbol of the Sun is a circle with a dot in the center.

Astrologers believe that the Sun is a crucial part of our personality. The Sun represents our inner self, ego, expression and what it is that makes individuals unique. It is our identity and our face to the world. The Sun also shows the creative ability and the power of the individual to meet the challenges of everyday life. The Sun spends about a month visiting each Sign and takes a year to journey through the twelve Signs of the Zodiac.

The Sun represents the father or dominant male influence in our early lives. By looking in our birth chart, we can find out a lot about our relationship with our father by what house and sign the Sun is placed at birth. Symbolically, the Sun placement shows where we connect with our spiritual father or creator force. When analyzing a birth chart, wherever the Sun is placed can show the path by which we connect to God within as well as out in the world.

The Sun sign traits shine through strongly in our lives. Each sign of the zodiac has its strengths and weaknesses. The Sun sign is only one small part of who we are and what we express. According to astrologer Bob Mulligan, “the house placement of the Sun Sign shows the primary area of expression for individual life. There is a psychological, emotional, and physical significance to the house placement of the Sun.” He also stated that “aspects to the Sun have a deep overriding significance in the life of the individual and are generally more important than other aspects in the chart.”

Each planet affects us and it is important to understand all these energies. Many people ask me about the Sun sign traits and believe that those traits make up the entire personality. When you read your horoscope in the paper or online, that is describing your Sun sign traits based on your day and month of birth. I always explain to my client’s that the Sun sign is only one small microcosm of who you are and what energies you express. The Moon for instance will show the type of emotional nature that you express inwardly, whereas the Sun is your main outward appearance and expression outwardly. Individuals that are born on the “cusp” will have traits of both astrological signs. The strongest energy can be found in whichever sign the Sun is moving towards at the time and moment of ones birth.

The Sun rules the sign Leo and the Sun is in Leo, they are known for their expressiveness, creativity and charismatic personalities. Leos love to shine, just like the Sun. Many Leos are found in the entertainment business or on stage performing. The Sun is the center of the universe and has to shine its rays down on the earth. Much can be associated with Leos, who love to shine and be in the limelight. Just like the Sun, Leos love to uplift others and they have a strong positive energy.

The Sun is one of the most important aspects in our birth chart. It shows where we focus our energy and how others see us. Below is a short list of Sun Sign Traits:

Aries “I AM” Passionate, Independent, Self-Centered, Enthusiastic

Taurus “I HAVE” Practical, Patient, Calm, Stubborn, Sensual, Artistic

Gemini “I THINK” Communicative, Intellectual, Rational, Nervous

Cancer “I FEEL” Intuitive, Motherly, Moody, Emotional, Protective

Leo “I WILL” Dramatic, Proud, Playful, Generous, Dignified

Virgo “I ANALYZE” Modest, Analytical, Perfectionist, Observant, Servant

Libra ”I BALANCE” Social, Diplomatic, Indecisive, Charming, Artistic

Scorpio ”I DESIRE” Intense, Secretive, Compulsive, Controlling,

Sagittarius ”I PERCEIVE” Optimistic, Restless, Traveler, Philosophical, Blunt

Capricorn ”I USE” Ambitious, Responsible, Rigid, Serious, Hardworking

Aquarius ”I KNOW” Detached, Rebellious, Humanitarian, Eccentric

Pisces ”I BELIEVE” Idealistic, Spiritual, Compassionate, Self-Sacrificing

ARIES March 21- April 19

TAURUS April 20- May 20

GEMINI May 21- June 20

CANCER June 21- July 22

LEO July 23- August 22

VIRGO August 23- September 22

LIBRA September 23- October 22

SCORPIO October 23- November 21

SAGITTARIUS November 22- December 21

CAPRICORN December 22- January 19

AQUARIUS January 20- February 18

PISCES February 19- March 20

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Mercury

2010-01-25T19:39:00.001-08:00

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Mercury

By Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW

The planet Mercury is about the same size as the moon. Its orbit is closest to the sun and it rotates round the sun four times, while the earth only makes one revolution. Mercury is so close to the sun that it is never seen more than 28 degrees from it. It can only be seen at certain times after the sun has set, or immediately before sunrise. In Greece, Mercury was associated with Hermes, “the quick messenger of the gods”. Hermes was symbolized with wings at his ankles, holding a caduceus, the staff of the two snakes. Hermes was male and female, a hermaphrodite, which can be associated with the sign Gemini, which Mercury rules. Mercury has been associated with being double sexed and this meaning is used in both biology and botany. The alchemist believed that all that could be sublimated or distilled was mercury, since one of the most important substances to sublimate was mercuric chloride. Alchemists knew mercury could dissolve other metals and combine itself with them into amalgams. The symbol for Mercury can be found in cultures 3,000 years ago and is found on the Babylonian clay cylinder.

In our astrology natal chart, Mercury represents the intellect and the process of communication. The position of Mercury in the natal chart, shows the energy of ones communication and verbal expression, inventiveness and intellectual ability. Those who have a well placed Mecury at birth are considered to have good linguistic ability, fast thinkers, have a good memory and ability to communicate with others. The Mercury that is not well placed can cause restlessness, indecision, and inconsistent behavior. According to astrologer Bob Mulligan,” Mecury is the planet of your mental life. It shows how you receive, process and disseminate information. The sign placement of Mecury shows your basic attitude and mental habits. The aspects to Mecury show your scope of vision and your methods for accomplishing tasks.”

The more I learn about astrology, the more I believe that the placement of Mercury in our chart is crucial for compability in our intitmate relationships. I have found that individuals with compatible Mecury’s can click with eachother instantly and be able to read eachother’s minds. There is a deep understanding when two individuals share this placement. A friend of mine and I both share Mercury in Virgo and when he first walked into the room their was an energetic, comfortable feeilng and the communication flowed easily. We can understand eachother on a deeper, unconscious level and talk about anything with eachother.

Mercury rules the signs Virgo and Gemini. Virgo is an earth sign and Gemini is an air sign. The expression of Mercury on the basic level is the same. Virgos express in a more practical, down to earth, and careful ways whereas Gemini’s are more versatile, free thinking and social. The mercury influence makes Virgo and Gemini excellent communicators, intelligent, mentally restless, logical and expressive with words. Both Virgo and Gemini can excel in areas related to writing or teaching. Both Virgo and Gemini vary significantly as far as overall personality traits, but the Mercury influence is present in both signs.

The house that Mercury is placed in our chart will show where we will express ourselves, communicate and focus on tasks. Mercury placed in the 4 th house for instance will incline a person to communicate within the home, where they feel comfortable and safe. The sign placement is an important indicator on how and what type of energies the communication represents. For instance, a person with Aries in Mercury will be very straightforward, blunt, and passionate and have a strong voice. The important thing about Mercury is that wherever it is located, it increases communication and shows what type of communication the person uses and how.

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Mars

2010-01-25T19:38:00.001-08:00

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Mars

By Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW

The planet Mars is known as the “Red Planet” and is named after the Roman God of War because of its reddish color when observed from earth. The Greek God of War, Ares, is associated with Mars energy. He was known to have several love affairs and had a strong competitiveness that sometimes led to impulsivity.

In our astrology natal chart, Mars rules our desires, aggressive spirit, and drives. The position of Mars in the natal chart, shows the energy of ones competetive nature, goals, and the desire to achieve them. According to astrologer Bob Mulligan,” Mars is the planet of desires. It shows how you aim at your goals and how you power yourself towards goals. Mars represents your fundamental wants. The sign placement of mars shows the fundamental nature of your assertions. The house placement of mars shows the area of life you are most likely to focus on.”

Mars rules the signs Aries and Scorpio. Aries is a fire sign and Scorpio is ruled by water. Both these signs are driven, intense, emotional and passionate. The expression of Mars on the basic level is the same. Aries express themselves in a more outgoing, straight-forward way, while Scorpios are more secretive and observant before they open up. Both are intense and have a similar emotionally nature that is expressed in a subtly different way. The mars influence makes Aries and Scorpio excellent leaders, executives, athletes, decision-makers and competitive business-types. Both Aries and Scorpio have a strong need to exercise the body and are prone to anger and violent outbursts if they do not have a physical outlet for their intense energy. Both Aries and Scorpio vary significantly as far as overall personality traits, but the mars influence is present in both signs. Mars is the planet of sports and athletic ability. Many times, I find that professional athletes have mars conjunct (which means in close position to, eclipsing) their tenth house cusp of career. These individuals shine through showing their athletic mars energy in the public and being in the limelight. Talented writers often have mars in the third house of communication, which gives them a strong drive to express themselves with words. This can take many forms such as teaching, journalism, public speaking or writing behind the scenes.

The house that Mars is placed in our chart will show where we will have a strong emotionally, energetic pull and focus. Mars placed in the seventh house of marriage and partnerships will incline a person to communicate aggressively with their partner and this can cause friction and arguments in relationships. Someone who has Mars in the tenth house will focus strongly on career success and will always strive to achieve recognition. There is always the danger of experiencing conflict wherever Mars is located in the chart. The sign placement is an important indicator on how and what type of energy is expressed. For instance, a person with Mars in Gemini will be very restless, expressive, and communicative and have a strong need to teach or write. A person with Mars in Aries might be very strong-willed, dominant and assertive.

The planet Mars is one of the strongest planets in our natal chart and its presence usually makes itself felt at a deep level. The Sun, Moon, Pluto and Mars are the strongest planets in our chart in my opinion. Every astrologer has a different view of things, but from what I have experienced Mars is crucial in our personality and expression.

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Venus

2010-01-25T19:37:00.001-08:00

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Venus

By Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW

I often tell clients that the planet Venus was named after the Roman goddess Venus and is the second planet closest to the sun. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty is also associated with Venus. Venus was known to the ancient Babylonians around 1600 BC, and to the Mayan civilization and must have been known long before in prehistoric times, given that it is the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon. The Mayans developed a religious calendar based on Venus's motion. Its symbol is a stylized representation of the goddess Venus's hand mirror: a circle with a small cross underneath. In the Ryder Waite tarot deck, the Empress card is ruled by Venus. Located in the bottom left of this card you can see a heart with the symbol of Venus sitting within it. Venus represents love, beauty, harmony, relationships and emotions.

In our astrology natal chart, Venus represents the way we seek to give and receive affection and love; and how we create and appreciate beauty and balance; and how we form close relations and act in those relationships . The position of Venus in the natal chart, shows the energy of how someone expresses love. According to astrologer Bob Mulligan, “Venus shows the way you express your love nature and what you aspire for in life as good or beautiful. Venus has much to do with how you form your values. The sign placement of Venus shows the type of love energy you have and th house placement shows the natural area of expression of the love energy.”

Venus rules the signs Taurus and Libra. Taurus is an earth sign and Libra is an air sign. What do these two signs have in common? Both are creative, artistic, peace loving and comfort loving individuals. Taurus sun sign individuals express their creative energy in a more practical, grounded way whereas Libras express it in a more intellectual way. The venus influence blesses Taureans and Librans with acting ability, musical ability, and artistic ability. Both Taurus and Libra can excel in areas related to teaching and interior decorating. Both Taurus and Librai vary significantly as far as overall personality traits, but the Venus influence is present in both signs.

The house that Venus is placed in our chart will show where we will express our affections. Venus placed in the 12 th house will incline an individual to keep their loving feelings hidden or secret from others. This placement also signifies secret or clandestine love affairs. If Venus is placed in the 8 th house, the individual will tend to have relationships with individuals who work behind the scenes in some way as detectives, police officers or coroners. This placement can also bring financial blessings to the individual through the partner. The sign placement is an important indicator on how the love nature is expressed. For instance, a person with Venus in Aries will be very straightforward, blunt, selfish and passionate with their emotions. The important thing about Venus is that wherever it is located, it increases our need to express love and to make our surroundings harmonious.

A Deeper Look at the Planets: The Moon

2010-01-25T19:35:00.000-08:00

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Moon

By Carmen Turner-Schott

I often tell clients that The Moon, also known as Luna is a powerful influence in our lives. The Moon affects the tides of the ocean and many believe the phases of the Moon are crucial in ceremony, ritual and magic. In Greek culture, Selene was the goddess of the Moon whose chariot lit up the sky at night. When she was finished, her brother Helios made his chariot ride across the sky in the daytime.

In our astrology natal chart, the Moon represents our emotional nature, instictual response and feelings. The position of the Moon in the natal chart, shows the way in which an individual expresses emotions, feelings and how one responds instinctually to situations in life. The Moon in our chart is associated with the Mother Figure in our lives and looking a sign and house placement of the Moon can show what kind of mother we had and what our relationship with our mother was like when we were children The Moon placement also shows where we find our emotional comfort and feelings of emotional stability. Have you ever noticed that when the moon in full that people sometimes behave strangely? It is believed that individuals feel more irritable, depressed, moody, excitable and uneasy when there is a full moon. I know I feel these effects each month as the Moon becomes full. When I worked with runaway teens, each time their was a full moon, my clients were having more conflicts, fighting and running away more frequently. Why? Because the moon has a strong influence on our emotions and how we respond to stress, it is a scientific phenomenon. Each time there is a full moon, I notice cars broken down on the side of the road, people arguing more often and a tense feeling in the air.

The Moon rules the sign Cancer. Cancer is a water sign and is known for their sensitivity, emotionalism, intuition and motherly instincts. Cancer is the mother and caretaker, behaving strongly based on their inner emotions. Being ruled by the Moon, Cancer Sun Sign individuals are extremely sensitive to the phases of the moon. They are emotional types and enjoy taking care of others. Many Cancers are found in the health care fields as nurses, social workers or teachers. Being intuitive is a natural gift for Cancer and many of them have prophetic dreams and clairvoyant experiences. The outer shell of the Cancer is a facade, because deep inside they are softer than any other sign. They know how to protect themselves from others hurting them, but this does not make them any less sensitive.

The house that the Moon is placed will show where one expresses emotion and where one finds their emotional comfort. An individual with the Moon placed in the 4 th house, will focus most of their emotional attention within the home and express their feelings more readily with their family. An individual with the Moon placed in the 10 th house, will find themselves emotionally fulfilled through their career and through working in the public in some way.

I feel that the Moon is a stronger influence in our lives than even the Sun. Our emotions are powerful and I have even heard that if you are born late at night, the Moon sign personality traits are more prominent than the sun sign traits. The most important thing to remember is that the Moon sign is crucial at explaining what we feel and where we express it in the world.

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Saturn the Teacher

2010-01-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

A Deeper Look at the Planets: Saturn the Teacher

By Carmen Turner-Schott

The planet Saturn is a beautiful planet with mysterious rings surrounding it. In Roman mythology, Saturn was the god of agriculture, prosperity and good harvest. Saturn has been known since prehistoric times and was first observed by Galileo in 1610. Saturn is a planet that many people fear, because it is associated with karmic learning, restriction, responsibilities, and duties. Why is it feared? Saturn is known as the “Teacher” and even the “Grim Reaper”. This means that wherever the planet Saturn is located in the natal chart is where you will feel heavy responsibilities, burdens and where you will feel restricted in that area of life. It is the teacher of karmic lessons and forces us to face our fears. According to Robert Hand, Saturn strips away illusions and points out limitations, allowing you to view yourself in a harsh, often unflattering light. At the same time, it endows you with prudence, practicality, and the perseverance to work hard toward achieving your purposes. Consequently, this is a good time to rearrange your career or lay the foundation for a new one.

It is amazing to me the vast amount of client’s that contact me in times of crisis. I started noticing a pattern and noticed that many individual’s that were contacting me were struggling with similar issues such as divorce, separation, loss of job, changing careers, pregnancy, miscarriage, marriage, moving and overall life changes. I had heard of something called the “Saturn Return” years ago but never really gave it major attention until I myself was slammed by my own “Saturn Return”. What is a Saturn Return? Saturn spends around two and a half years in each sign, taking about twenty-nine years on his journey through all the signs of the zodiac. The first Saturn Return happens when we are between the ages of twenty-eight to thirty years old. Every single person walking on this earth will be affected by the Saturn Return and no one is left unscathed. It is like the law of gravity, the Saturn Return issues will have a great impact on each individual’s life and no one can escape it. What things will happen when Saturn returns to the exact location that it was when we were born? The best word that comes to mind is Change. Saturn Return almost always requires some major adjustments in lifestyle, attitudes, and relationships. Anything you have outgrown, or have tolerated but not found satisfying, must end now or be altered to meet your emerging needs. According to Hand, "Consciously or unconsciously, you are pruning your life of everything that is not relevant to what you really are as a human being."

During my Saturn Return there were many changes in my life. I moved from Germany back to the United States and had a difficult time adjusting. I thought it would be easy since America was home, but I felt culture shock all over again. I struggled in a job that I disliked and did not feel comfortable doing and then I unexpectedly got pregnant. During this time, my husband was deployed every four months so I was totally responsible for the entire household, child, paying bills, cleaning, car maintenance, you name it. These responsibilities were my learning and during this time I learned that I could be independent, responsible for myself and my daughter and take care of myself. It was a major lesson that my soul had to learn because I had always been taken care of my entire life and was sheltered. During this time, many changes came in my life and relationships. My entire world was turned upside down and it was very difficult for me. I finally turned 31 years old this August and felt the weight lifted off my shoulders. My life is settled, things have calmed down and I finally am doing what I love to do. It took this transition to force me into my path and that is exactly what Saturn is meant to do for each of us.

A close friend of mine has been going through his Saturn Return the last two years and he too has suffered tremendous losses. He went through a terrible divorce, was separated from his daughter which was very difficult for him. Then out of the blue, he walked into work and was fired on the spot. Why? Downsizing. This was really a blessing in disguise because he was not happy in the position he had been working in. Many changes were forced upon him during his Saturn Return and he is still going through this now.

Several clients that I have been working with have been going through their Second Saturn Return which occurs during the ages of fifty eight to sixty years of age. It is interesting to note the high number of divorces and deaths that occur during this age span. I read that statistically a lot of people die during their second Saturn Return. The reasoning for this is because theoretically, if the issues are not resolved during the first Saturn Return then they come back intensified during the second and it can be more emotionally draining and physically draining to address them. It is also interesting to note the high number of divorces that occur during the ages of fifty eight to sixty. This phenomenon is making itself seen a lot more often and couples who have been together for 15 or more years are all of a sudden calling it quits. One reason is that the Saturn Return must be addressed and any past issues or things that are not healed must be healed or they will be changed by Saturn. It is fascinating and exciting to go through changes, but it can be scary.

Saturn is the planet that rules Capricorn. Capricorn is the father in the zodiac and Saturn embodies all the energy of a traditional father and teacher. Discipline, responsibility, structure, reliability and sternness are Saturn’s gifts. Saturn is the planet of karma and it will force each of us to address our own deep issues in our lives. Wherever Saturn is located in the natal chart will show where our greatest learning and responsibility comes from and where we feel the most uncomfortable. To overcome our fears gives us strength and helps us to grow to new levels of awareness. If Saturn is located in the 7 th house of marriage, I often see client’s who marry young and are either very responsible or loyal to the marriage, even if they are miserable. It is very difficult for individuals with a natal Saturn in the 7 th house to end partnerships. The other side of the coin is that these individuals may never feel comfortable partnering and may choose to remain single and never marry. Different energies are expressed and these potentialities are always there, but each individual has free will and choice as to how they will address each issue Saturn brings forth.

According to Skye Alexander, our Saturn Return is a personal spring cleaning. No matter how difficult it seems to let go of inappropriate people and things, the first Saturn Return is the time to do it. For if lessons are not learned, the problems will come knocking again during your second Saturn Return at about age fifty-eight, when you are more set in your ways. Once the conflict is confronted, the tension usually subsides. You feel stronger and more capable of moving ahead. Saturn Return is one of the most crucial turning points you ever experience, when you assume the greatest responsibility of all: responsibility for your own life.

Neptune: Alcoholism, Addictions & Spiritual Awakening Part Two

2010-01-25T19:02:00.000-08:00

Neptune: Alcoholism, Addictions & Spiritual Awakening, Part Two

By Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW, LISW

Here is a difference between being spiritual and being religious. Many individuals I counsel explain to me that they were raised conservatively and believed in a more fundamental belief system. They go on to tell me that they also felt that they lost their faith at some point in their lives. They tell me that they look out into the world and see destruction, poverty, suffering, and disillusionment. What I began to realize was that they were coming face to face with their Neptunian energies. They were being forced to awaken.

Neptune as we discussed in the last article, is the planet of illusion and suffering. Through believing in something outside ourselves we feel strong and protected, but when life is difficult and we begin to suffer, we often give up and feel that God has abandoned us. Neptune has a funny way of confusing you while it plays with your belief system. The energy forces you to question why you are here, what is God, what happens after death and what your purpose is on earth. You begin to seek a greater understanding of yourself in relation to the universe. You do not simply attend church, read the Bible or study scripture; you begin to question and seek a connection to the divine.

We often do not seek that connection with the divine until we are forced to by dire circumstances. Just like in many addiction programs, we are told that individuals must hit “rock bottom” before they will come out of denial and admit they have a problem. Neptune keeps these individuals locked in this denial but it also frees them by releasing them from their own bondage. The bondage is the ache in one’s heart and the yearning for love and forgiveness. This yearning can only be fulfilled through a connection with the divine creative energy. Once individuals realize that, they will open up to many new possibilities. They can see that through suffering they found what they were looking for. They realize that if they had never suffered, never lost, never felt abandoned then they would never have awakened to themselves.

The blessing of the planet Neptune is often hard to see at first glance. We must hear the entire story and then hear the glimmer of hope and inspirational words that flow from those who survived Neptune’s illumination. We will always see the spiritual transformation that takes place with those close to us. Most addiction programs are focused on steps and the steps all involve the concept of God and being open to something outside our normal belief system. In Step 11 it states, “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out and Step 12 states, Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” It is no coincidence that Neptune rules alcohol and drugs, the symbolism is amazing. The true essence of addiction is embodied in Neptune’s energy and we all are impacted in some way. Depending on which house Neptune is placed in your natal chart, you will come face to face with this energy in some life area. The true lesson is spiritual awakening and awareness that through life’s struggles you can overcome and will awaken at some point regardless of your circumstances.

Neptune: Alcoholism, Addictions & Spiritual Awakening, Part One

2010-01-25T19:00:00.000-08:00

Neptune: Alcoholism, Addictions & Spiritual Awakening, Part One

By Carmen Turner-Schott, MSW, LISW

A girl who is twelve years old comes home from school and notices that her father is acting strange. She can smell something on his breath as he starts to talk and begins slurring his words. She is aware that something is wrong. Her father begins to tell her that she is fat and needs to lose weight. She is shocked and begins to cry as he passes out in the chair holding a can of something, although she does not know it is a can of beer. She runs down the hall to tell her mother that daddy said something mean to her. She tells her mother, “He called me fat.” Her mother looks at her with a glazed look and uncomfortably says, “He is just joking with you, he is fine.” She walks away baffled, confused, and bewildered.

The above story is a classic example of the planet Neptune in action. Neptune rules alcohol, drugs, addiction, illusion, suffering, deception, and spiritual enlightenment. Unfortunately, many individuals with a strong Neptune in their charts can succumb to the negative energy of Neptune. The planet Neptune rules the sign Pisces and many Pisceans experiment with drugs and alcohol at sometime in their lives. In my work as an additions therapist, I encounter many clients who struggle with addiction and many have strong Neptune or Pisces energy in their chart. Oftentimes, when there is alcoholism in the home we see Neptune placed in an individual’s fourth house, which is the house of home and family. There is often illusion surrounded around one parent’s addiction and secrets that the individual grew up with in the home. Similar to the story above, many adult children of alcoholics experienced the dark side of Neptune first hand. These children always misjudged their own perceptions and began to doubt themselves because every time the addicted parent did something terrible or hurtful, the co-dependent parent always defended them. These children grew up feeling “crazy, sensitive, depressed, and alone”. They were taught from a young age that what they “perceived” was not the true reality. They constantly were lied to and they intuitively knew something was wrong in the home, but had no one to validate this for them. Many grew up to become addicts themselves who struggled with their own addiction to alcohol or other unhealthy escapes such as relationships, work, sex, or overeating. An example would be a female who represses her anger at her father for his emotional unavailability, while she constantly draws emotionally abusive men into her life. She might let others walk all over her and sacrifice her own feelings for others by refusing to speak up. She goes home each night and scavenges through the kitchen eating everything she can. Eating food is her comfort and it erases the uncomfortable, painful emotions temporarily. The process continues over and over again, because the underlying emotional pain has not been healed. The need for individuals to “escape” from their emotions, pain and life circumstances is what addictions fulfill. The Neptunian energies elude us into thinking that we can continue to escape and see things with rose colored glasses on, but in the end we have to see things clearly for ourselves. This can be a painful process, but we are learning to embrace a power outside ourselves, our own spirituality.

Carmen's Radio Interview with the Zany Mystic

2010-01-22T17:49:00.000-08:00

On January 16, 2010 Carmen was asked to be a guest on the BBS Radio Program "The Zany Mystic" and discussed her astrological research on the 8th and 12th astrological houses.

http://www.bbsradio.com/host/afiresidechat/archives/a_fireside_chat_archive.php

Dowload for free once its up at:

http://www.cosmicpenguin.com/Zany/

Astrology & The Bible

2010-01-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

I recently wrote a series of articles about Astrology & Christianity for About.com

Please visit the following links to read:
The Three Wise Men Astrologers

http://astrology.about.com/od/thehistoryofastrology/a/christianastro.htm

http://astrology.about.com/od/christianityandastrology/a/AstrologyBible.htm

http://astrology.about.com/od/thehistoryofastrology/a/ShiningStarBeth.htm

http://astrology.about.com/od/thehistoryofastrology/a/AstrologyOccult.htm

More to come!

Welcome to the Astrological Self Awareness Center Blog Spot

2010-01-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

I decided to start a blog for the Astrological Self Awareness Center, http://www.astrology-awareness.com/ and this is where I will post all the past, present and future articles that I write. I hope you will enjoy stopping by and reading about astrology, counseling and healing.

Welcome!

Carmen Turner-Schott