Why is this year / month / week so brutal?

[Whichwitch]

I would very much appreciate any help I can get. Can anyone tell me why life is so difficult at the moment? It feels like I can't catch a break.
DOB: 2/18/65 9:08pm Los Angeles.

Thank you in advance.

[Jim Eshelman]

Welcome to Solunars, Whichwitch. You don't say in which way life is difficult, or how long "at the moment" includes (this year? this month? today?), but let's take a general look.

Over the last couple of years, Pluto has crossed your IC. It's mostly clear of that now. Therefore, you've already come a time of substantial life-reinvention, your psychological (and perhaps physical) foundation of your life being open to uprooting and reinvention.

Transiting Neptune opposes your Pluto. This is a subtle aspect - it often doesn't have strong outward expression, but is very rearranging of psychological patterns. People react to it differently depending on the amount of self-introspection and self-exploration they are undertaking: If deeply introspective, you are more likely to detect the direct operation of this on subconsciousness, but the outer effects for the less-introspective are vague intimations that the world doesn't quite make sense, that things historically automatic and easy don't exactly have their tumblers fall into place so easily. It's a big vague and detaching as more energy is drawn to subconscious processes and away form conscious ones.

Your progressions show irritations, conflicts, and irritations physical and psychological... but not quite yet. Progressed Moon conjoins your Mars, but not for another couple of days. (The effect then lasts two months.) Otherwise, your progressions are quite positive, an exact Sun-Venus conjunction (friendship, romance, kindness, comfort) being more expected than difficulty.

Are you still living in Los Angeles? And were you here on your birthday? If so, we can also check your Solar Return, but I don't want to get into this and mislead you without knowing for sure. (Frankly, the Solar Return for the year beginning your birthday looks unusually happy and splendid for LA. I'm wondering if you've moved somewhere else, or spent your birthday somewhere else?)

[Whichwitch]

Thank you so much for your help. I moved up to Tigard, Oregon years back and have been here ever since. I visit Los Angeles, but spend all my time in Oregon.

[Jim Eshelman]

Thank you so much for your help. I moved up to Tigard, Oregon years back and have been here ever since. I visit Los Angeles, but spend all my time in Oregon.

That makes all the difference in the world!

If your Solar Return were calculated for Los Angeles, its main angularities would be:

r Neptune on WP 0°15'
r Venus on MC 0°33'
t Jupiter on WP 0°10'
r Jupiter on EP 1°04'
-- r Venus-Jupiter sq. 1°19'
-- r Jupiter-Neptune op. 1°20'
-- t Jupiter conj. r Neptune 2°00'
-- r Venus-Neptune sq. 2°39'
-- t Jupiter op. r Jupiter 3°21'
-- t Jupiter sq. r Venus 4°39'
r Saturn sq Asc 0°21'

Though your Saturn is highlighted, the one clear message from the universe is Jupiter - transiting Jupiter angular - and its interactions with your Venus, Jupiter, and Neptune. This is splendid, almost idyllic in a sense of "things are basically splendid, and I can ignore the little bothers and act like they aren't even there."

However, for Tigard the picture is quite different:

t Mars on Dsc 2°22'
t Venus sq. Asc 0°56'
t Neptune sq. Asc 1°28'
-- Mars-Neptune sq. 1°19'
-- Venus-Neptune conj. 2°24'
-- Venus-Mars sq. 3°43'

This is a quiite different chart! Instead of primarily benefics, you get primarily malefics - the Mars-Neptune aspect being one of the most psychologically uncomfortable aspects one can have (for which you have my sympathy). Venus partly softens this, but also directs it into Venus areas of life; for example, the charts shows heightened emotional responses, very strong reactions to things, vulnerability, and a situation where you basically can't (and don't and shouldn't) trust many of the people around you. It's a chart for making bad decisions. One can "work one's way out of this" if you can overcome (or set aside) the strong emotional reactions and tendency to wear blinders about people's real natures.

It's a very different Neptune picture than in LA, with horror movie scenes filling your imagination instead of fairy tales - a very different Venus situation, where it shows toxic (but very strong and emotionally passionate) stirrings around you, rather than your own natural kindness, generosity, and hospitality being met and repaid by goodness.

Perhaps I have overstated - it is easier to draw distinctions by using more vivid language, so you shouldn't get unduly concerned if it seems like I'm exaggerating far beyond your situation. But that's the basic tone-difference between Oregon and southern California.

Does it match your experience?

Your solar return expires on your next birthday. The new chart is not so different for the two locations. For Los Angeles, it puts your Venus-Jupiter-Neptune on angles again (but without transiting Jupiter), and your Sun-Mercury on Descendant. For Tigard it is much the same, but with your Jupiter-Neptune stronger, your Venus weaker.

[Whichwitch]

Thank you! I had no idea location could make such a difference.

[Whichwitch]

Thank you so very much - yes this matches exactly what I have been experiencing! I am so appreciative to have validation of my current experience. I just hope it all mellows out after my solar return expires.

The new chart is not so different for the two locations. For Los Angeles, it puts your Venus-Jupiter-Neptune on angles.

Is this a good thing?

[Jim Eshelman]

Thank you so very much - yes this matches exactly what I have been experiencing! I am so appreciative to have validation of my current experience. I just hope it all mellows out after my solar return expires.

The new chart is not so different for the two locations. For Los Angeles, it puts your Venus-Jupiter-Neptune on angles.

Is this a good thing?

Everything is good or bad for somethings, and bad or good for others; but yes, Venus-Jupiter is qute good; Neptune can add an idyllis quality and, at worst, means that you fool yourself a bit about how good things really are. But it usually feels good.

We'd have to do a case history on how this Venus-Jupiter-Neptune has worked out in your life. Here are some basic meanings of the Venus aspects. Do they fit how your life has gone?

Venus-Jupiter
Fundamentally social creatures. Warm, friendly, giving, hospitable, gracious (reigns over social events). Nearly always liked (great need to be liked, desires positive attention and appreciation more than most, usually gets it). At home in a fine lifestyle (or as celebrity, aristocrat, etc.). Indulgent in all oral pleasures, e.g., preparing and eating fine food. Usually has an easier time through life despite sometimes harsh starts (experience unusual luck or patronage), usually partner well. Inclination to extravagance, possible “spoiled brat” attitude (risk of mild narcissism).

Venus-Neptune
Idealistic, future-looking, longs to be enchanted. Wants things perfect. Can become jaded, disillusioned, and cynical from repeated hurtful betrayals. Emotions run strong. Most sees beauty in people and things, thus has blind spots (especially in romance). Trusting, naturally confident of others’ goodness (poor discrimination in selecting friends). Good-hearted, caretakes others, devoted friends, romantic, humanitarian. Natural people-readers (when not personally involved), natural psychologists.