april 15, 2019
This week’s Horoscopes are coming out under the light of a Virgo Moon. In its, ‘just about Full’ phase, a zillion things have got to be coming to a head. At this stage in any cycle whatever we are bringing to fruition is easily bollixed up by our weaknesses and our blind spots; everyone has at least one. That being said, I thought it might be useful to talk about ‘Nemesis’, the asteroid that holds space for the issues that trip us up, and keep us from getting on with the show, every time.
I learned most of what I know about asteroids from Martha Lang-Wescott. Taking her descriptions to heart, I have tested them out in one-on-one readings long enough to be blown away by how they translate in real time. Whenever I do up a chart, Nemesis is one of the first bodies I look at, because it shows me exactly where the individual is going to get lost in their denial mechanisms, shoot themselves in the foot, and fall victim to the last thing they want to see about themselves.
From a mythological perspective, Nemesis was a winged, warrior goddess whose purpose revolved around the restoration of cosmic order. It was her job to make sure that no one had too much good luck, or too much bad luck. She sought out wrongdoers, or anyone who got ‘too big for their breeches’, and meted out punishments that kept them in their place. Over time her role came to involve exacting retribution.
From an astrological perspective the position of Nemesis in the horoscope is defined as, the Achilles Heel. It is any force or person that impedes our success, that which becomes our undoing, or that which never fails to screw us up, no matter what. In keeping with all of the above, Nemesis is another name for our blind spots, or the things that we just can’t see. She is also that which we blame for our problems, or things that we use as a scapegoat whenever we are unwilling or unable to be accountable for our actions.
What’s interesting about this asteroid is, the fact that we keep being wounded by the same old thing, implies that we know what the problem is, but we are hard pressed to do anything about it because Nemesis makes it impossible to wake up and look at the facts. Let me give you an example:
I was born with Nemesis, conjunct Bacchus. (With six other asteroids involved in the conjunction, but, let’s deal with one issue at a time!) Bacchus is related to the addictive syndrome. It has to do with drugs and alcohol, but it goes beyond that to include high levels of emotional immaturity, and the tendency to blame everything but the problem for the problem.
This may be too much information, but so what? Let’s go for it:
For starters, I was addicted to smoking pot from the age of 16, until the addiction finally came to a halt at the age of 68. Along with this, it is also worthy of note that all of my boyfriends and partners have been serious drug addicts and/or alcoholics: Interesting. At the end of the day my own addiction, along with my addiction to addicts, have revealed themselves to be rooted in stories that go back to my birth and early childhood, and to issues that make me think it is my job to rescue anyone who needs ‘help’. If the pot smoking and the men who were strung out on everything under the Sun appeared to be my Achilles Heel, once I turned off the vaporizer I woke up long enough to find out that all of it went back to things that I was never able to look in the eye, because they were not only hidden, but too painful to confront.
To give you an idea of how Nemesis operates in a chart, here is a short list of aspects that will help you get the picture:
This is a short list. It is just a start. With thousands of asteroids, we could keep going forever. I hope that this overview gets you thinking about your own life, and your own issues and experiences just enough to consider where Nemesis impacts you and your reality. When we are young our blind spots are hard, if not impossible, to see; because we are still in the process of learning from them. When we get older, we have been around the barn with Nemesis enough times to have our issues in our sights. At that point it becomes super important to get a handle on them – any inability to do so is what kills us in the end. Let me leave you with that and invite you to take what you can from this week’s ‘scopes.
Horoscopes
ARIES: March 21 – April 20
Everything is up in the air and ready to pop. If it’s driving you crazy, I can see why; high levels of uncertainty, combined with tons of anticipation, and too much excitement can be hard for those of you who thrive on needing to remain focused. Underneath all of this there are levels of newness and change that you need to do your best to remain open to. You may be totally clueless as to where all of this is leading, but, please don’t tinker with the realm of possibilities by thinking that your pea-brain knows more about how to manage it than the forces that watch over you.
TAURUS: April 21 – May 20
It’s enough to know that you are holding steady in the midst of change. How things unfold in the next month or so depends a lot on who you put your faith in. Part of you is willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. What needs to be kept in mind is that not everyone comes to life with the same ethics that keep your world afloat. Before you let people in, give them plenty of time to show you what they’re made of. With what you’ve been through so far, the need to heed the lessons of the past will keep you from being let down by those whose intentions are warped.
GEMINI: May 21 – June 20
If you’re worried about what the rest of the journey holds expect the worst and hope for the best. Others are nipping at your heels, doing whatever it takes to test you. The pressure to remain strong in the face of opposition, coupled with side issues that have sapped your confidence, is teaching you a lot about what you’re made of. It’s time to consider the uses of adversity, realizing that the toughest lessons are where we figure out how to turn straw into gold. Everything is the opposite of what it appears to be. Find the light, and the darkness will fade in the face of it.
CANCER: June 21 – July 20
Take your time when it comes to absorbing some of the stuff that’s come down lately. Tons of old memories have been stirred up. Those of you who are not prone to confronting the inner planes are shakier than those of you who are tuned in to your deeper issues. Either way, the blasts from the past are intense. Be open to all of it. The things that we suppress or cover up with a happy face, and/or piles of ‘busy-ness’, wind up biting us on the ass when it’s all said and done. All of us are in the same boat, so don’t be afraid to talk about these things with others.
LEO: July 21 – August 20
Finding a way to integrate who you are and what you really want into the process of everyday living has gotten complicated. On the one hand, your heart’s desire is clear as a bell – on the other hand, your ability to create a situation that allows you to bring it into being eludes you. This is not unique to you. All of us have to work to shed the past and the projections of others before we can access our core essence. In some cases it’s a matter of patience and time. For those of you who are right on the cusp of living your dream, its unfoldment is only a heartbeat away.
VIRGO: August 21 – September 20
You have come through a major reality check with flying colors. Still a little shaky from your brush with an experience that totally rearranged your priorities, you see how important it is to stop losing yourself in superficialities. Those close to you may not understand what’s going on. Don’t expect them to. Everyone’s got their own row to hoe. Right now it’s your job to keep things simple. Regain a sense of balance so that you can function at a high level of performance without losing your way. Going deeper into yourself will be your saving grace in the weeks to come.
LIBRA: September 21 – October 20
No one needs to tell you that people have a tendency to take advantage of your goodness and generosity. In many cases, those closest to you are the main culprits. It’s totally OK to keep on giving, but when it gets to the point where it hurts you to persist, it’s best to let the element of discernment kick in. Be mindful of how much you give, but be just as mindful of who’s there for you and who isn’t. Other aspects of your reality could use a little pick me up: you know what they involve. The outer stuff will keep. Don’t procrastinate when it comes to your inner work.
SCORPIO: October 21 – November 20
You’ve got the right idea, but the need to tie things up with a bow keeps you from being able to actualize your dreams, fully and completely. Everything is partly intention, but the rest of it comes down to knowing how to drop the reins and leave the driving to the power of spirit. The other piece has a lot to do with bringing your inner being to the table; the mind alone is incapable of making magic. Haul back a little and look at the extent to which you need to stop doing things by rote. Your current dreams will come true the minute you figure out how to let things be.
SAGITTARIUS: November 21 – December 20
When we pass our hardest tests it is amazing how the darkness fades and life opens up like a flower. You are living in the afterglow of a revelation that has absolutely blown your mind. Armed with faith and inspiration, anything is possible. Here you sit with countless possibilities at your disposal, wondering if it is true that you can have anything you want. It may be too much to suggest that you’ve got the world on a string, but, the truth is, you do. Where you go from here is up to you. Open the doors of perception and let the latest clue to the new direction shine through.
CAPRICORN: December 21 - January 20
Up until now you could look outside yourself for answers, but not this time. When we get to the place where the sidewalk ends, nothing is written in stone. At this point all of your guidance needs to come from within. This will require you to shut up and listen. It will also require you to trash all of your preconceived notions about ‘who you think you are’, and consider that there are possibilities that exist outside of your big ideas and your best laid plans. Whether you know it or not the future is wide open. It’s time to transcend your limits and let your heart lead the way.
AQUARIUS: January 21 – February 20
Lots of things are upsetting the applecart, or at least, subject to change. It could be that it’s just your emotional state that is fluctuating wildly. The whole concept of ‘moving’ is not out of the question either. Within this maelstrom, it will help to maintain your ability to detach. Elements of surprise will emerge from thin air to offer you bigger and better possibilities. If certain things appear to be falling away it’s because you have outgrown the situation. Don’t be afraid to branch out. Nothing is meant to last forever. Even the safest, securest positions are subject to cyclical shifts.
PISCES: February 21 – March 20
When life gets like this it helps to remember that ‘it’s all good’, even when the hard stuff makes it seem like we have been singled out for punishment. The apparent ‘downhill slide’, and the slow decline of situations will continue to test your patience, and your faith: and the presence of low-life’s and scum-bags will do the same. The Earth is a weird place. The light only begins to shine in our darkest hour. Now that you’re in the thick of it, the trick is to remember that you are being guided by forces that will transform all of this in the same way that the Lotus blooms out of the mud
Copyright - Cal Garrison: 2019: ©
I learned most of what I know about asteroids from Martha Lang-Wescott. Taking her descriptions to heart, I have tested them out in one-on-one readings long enough to be blown away by how they translate in real time. Whenever I do up a chart, Nemesis is one of the first bodies I look at, because it shows me exactly where the individual is going to get lost in their denial mechanisms, shoot themselves in the foot, and fall victim to the last thing they want to see about themselves.
From a mythological perspective, Nemesis was a winged, warrior goddess whose purpose revolved around the restoration of cosmic order. It was her job to make sure that no one had too much good luck, or too much bad luck. She sought out wrongdoers, or anyone who got ‘too big for their breeches’, and meted out punishments that kept them in their place. Over time her role came to involve exacting retribution.
From an astrological perspective the position of Nemesis in the horoscope is defined as, the Achilles Heel. It is any force or person that impedes our success, that which becomes our undoing, or that which never fails to screw us up, no matter what. In keeping with all of the above, Nemesis is another name for our blind spots, or the things that we just can’t see. She is also that which we blame for our problems, or things that we use as a scapegoat whenever we are unwilling or unable to be accountable for our actions.
What’s interesting about this asteroid is, the fact that we keep being wounded by the same old thing, implies that we know what the problem is, but we are hard pressed to do anything about it because Nemesis makes it impossible to wake up and look at the facts. Let me give you an example:
I was born with Nemesis, conjunct Bacchus. (With six other asteroids involved in the conjunction, but, let’s deal with one issue at a time!) Bacchus is related to the addictive syndrome. It has to do with drugs and alcohol, but it goes beyond that to include high levels of emotional immaturity, and the tendency to blame everything but the problem for the problem.
This may be too much information, but so what? Let’s go for it:
For starters, I was addicted to smoking pot from the age of 16, until the addiction finally came to a halt at the age of 68. Along with this, it is also worthy of note that all of my boyfriends and partners have been serious drug addicts and/or alcoholics: Interesting. At the end of the day my own addiction, along with my addiction to addicts, have revealed themselves to be rooted in stories that go back to my birth and early childhood, and to issues that make me think it is my job to rescue anyone who needs ‘help’. If the pot smoking and the men who were strung out on everything under the Sun appeared to be my Achilles Heel, once I turned off the vaporizer I woke up long enough to find out that all of it went back to things that I was never able to look in the eye, because they were not only hidden, but too painful to confront.
To give you an idea of how Nemesis operates in a chart, here is a short list of aspects that will help you get the picture:
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition the Moon: The mother appears to be the problem, and because the Moon is the past, everything is blamed on the past.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Mercury: The mental processes are the problem. The person, thinks too much, talks too much, and lives in their head. Because Mercury relates directly to the siblings, the brothers and sisters can be the problem.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Venus: with this aspect Love and Money are the area of the life that bites the person on the ass, every time.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Mars; When Nemesis hits Mars the wrong way the problems stem from the inability to assert oneself appropriately, or in a timely fashion. They do too much too soon, too little, too late, or nothing at all.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Jupiter: With these aspects the problem comes down to the person being under, or over, educated. There is also a weakness that causes them to place too much importance on money, things, power, position, and status.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Saturn: With this pattern, ‘Daddy’ is to blame. There is also a tendency for the person with this aspect to be too hung up on the status-quo; they go along with the program no matter what.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Chiron: When Nemesis is involved with Chiron the fact that the person is ‘different’ becomes the bone of contention.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Uranus: These aspects suggest that the person is either totally afraid to step out of the box, or, every time they do take that leap, they wind up in deep doo-doo. The inability to break away is blamed for everything that goes wrong.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Neptune: The problem here comes down to the person being too naïve, too sick, too spiritual, too sensitive, too weak, too high, or too spaced out, so much so, that they hide behind their issues, or get taken advantage of by those who make it their business to exploit people.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Pluto: When Nemesis hits Pluto the wrong way, everything that is to blame is the result of some inability to release resentments and figure out how to forgive and forget.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition the Sun: Here, the problem relates to the person being totally stuck on themselves. It is a potentially narcissistic placement.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Apollo: When Nemesis gets involved with Apollo it’s a double whammy. The person is like an autistic child in need of a helmet. They keep beating their head up against the same old wall over and over again.
- Nemesis conjunct/square/opposition Astraea: With these two bodies the problem is that the person has absolutely no closure on the past, and no ability to ascertain when situations ‘are OVER’.
This is a short list. It is just a start. With thousands of asteroids, we could keep going forever. I hope that this overview gets you thinking about your own life, and your own issues and experiences just enough to consider where Nemesis impacts you and your reality. When we are young our blind spots are hard, if not impossible, to see; because we are still in the process of learning from them. When we get older, we have been around the barn with Nemesis enough times to have our issues in our sights. At that point it becomes super important to get a handle on them – any inability to do so is what kills us in the end. Let me leave you with that and invite you to take what you can from this week’s ‘scopes.
Horoscopes
ARIES: March 21 – April 20
Everything is up in the air and ready to pop. If it’s driving you crazy, I can see why; high levels of uncertainty, combined with tons of anticipation, and too much excitement can be hard for those of you who thrive on needing to remain focused. Underneath all of this there are levels of newness and change that you need to do your best to remain open to. You may be totally clueless as to where all of this is leading, but, please don’t tinker with the realm of possibilities by thinking that your pea-brain knows more about how to manage it than the forces that watch over you.
TAURUS: April 21 – May 20
It’s enough to know that you are holding steady in the midst of change. How things unfold in the next month or so depends a lot on who you put your faith in. Part of you is willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. What needs to be kept in mind is that not everyone comes to life with the same ethics that keep your world afloat. Before you let people in, give them plenty of time to show you what they’re made of. With what you’ve been through so far, the need to heed the lessons of the past will keep you from being let down by those whose intentions are warped.
GEMINI: May 21 – June 20
If you’re worried about what the rest of the journey holds expect the worst and hope for the best. Others are nipping at your heels, doing whatever it takes to test you. The pressure to remain strong in the face of opposition, coupled with side issues that have sapped your confidence, is teaching you a lot about what you’re made of. It’s time to consider the uses of adversity, realizing that the toughest lessons are where we figure out how to turn straw into gold. Everything is the opposite of what it appears to be. Find the light, and the darkness will fade in the face of it.
CANCER: June 21 – July 20
Take your time when it comes to absorbing some of the stuff that’s come down lately. Tons of old memories have been stirred up. Those of you who are not prone to confronting the inner planes are shakier than those of you who are tuned in to your deeper issues. Either way, the blasts from the past are intense. Be open to all of it. The things that we suppress or cover up with a happy face, and/or piles of ‘busy-ness’, wind up biting us on the ass when it’s all said and done. All of us are in the same boat, so don’t be afraid to talk about these things with others.
LEO: July 21 – August 20
Finding a way to integrate who you are and what you really want into the process of everyday living has gotten complicated. On the one hand, your heart’s desire is clear as a bell – on the other hand, your ability to create a situation that allows you to bring it into being eludes you. This is not unique to you. All of us have to work to shed the past and the projections of others before we can access our core essence. In some cases it’s a matter of patience and time. For those of you who are right on the cusp of living your dream, its unfoldment is only a heartbeat away.
VIRGO: August 21 – September 20
You have come through a major reality check with flying colors. Still a little shaky from your brush with an experience that totally rearranged your priorities, you see how important it is to stop losing yourself in superficialities. Those close to you may not understand what’s going on. Don’t expect them to. Everyone’s got their own row to hoe. Right now it’s your job to keep things simple. Regain a sense of balance so that you can function at a high level of performance without losing your way. Going deeper into yourself will be your saving grace in the weeks to come.
LIBRA: September 21 – October 20
No one needs to tell you that people have a tendency to take advantage of your goodness and generosity. In many cases, those closest to you are the main culprits. It’s totally OK to keep on giving, but when it gets to the point where it hurts you to persist, it’s best to let the element of discernment kick in. Be mindful of how much you give, but be just as mindful of who’s there for you and who isn’t. Other aspects of your reality could use a little pick me up: you know what they involve. The outer stuff will keep. Don’t procrastinate when it comes to your inner work.
SCORPIO: October 21 – November 20
You’ve got the right idea, but the need to tie things up with a bow keeps you from being able to actualize your dreams, fully and completely. Everything is partly intention, but the rest of it comes down to knowing how to drop the reins and leave the driving to the power of spirit. The other piece has a lot to do with bringing your inner being to the table; the mind alone is incapable of making magic. Haul back a little and look at the extent to which you need to stop doing things by rote. Your current dreams will come true the minute you figure out how to let things be.
SAGITTARIUS: November 21 – December 20
When we pass our hardest tests it is amazing how the darkness fades and life opens up like a flower. You are living in the afterglow of a revelation that has absolutely blown your mind. Armed with faith and inspiration, anything is possible. Here you sit with countless possibilities at your disposal, wondering if it is true that you can have anything you want. It may be too much to suggest that you’ve got the world on a string, but, the truth is, you do. Where you go from here is up to you. Open the doors of perception and let the latest clue to the new direction shine through.
CAPRICORN: December 21 - January 20
Up until now you could look outside yourself for answers, but not this time. When we get to the place where the sidewalk ends, nothing is written in stone. At this point all of your guidance needs to come from within. This will require you to shut up and listen. It will also require you to trash all of your preconceived notions about ‘who you think you are’, and consider that there are possibilities that exist outside of your big ideas and your best laid plans. Whether you know it or not the future is wide open. It’s time to transcend your limits and let your heart lead the way.
AQUARIUS: January 21 – February 20
Lots of things are upsetting the applecart, or at least, subject to change. It could be that it’s just your emotional state that is fluctuating wildly. The whole concept of ‘moving’ is not out of the question either. Within this maelstrom, it will help to maintain your ability to detach. Elements of surprise will emerge from thin air to offer you bigger and better possibilities. If certain things appear to be falling away it’s because you have outgrown the situation. Don’t be afraid to branch out. Nothing is meant to last forever. Even the safest, securest positions are subject to cyclical shifts.
PISCES: February 21 – March 20
When life gets like this it helps to remember that ‘it’s all good’, even when the hard stuff makes it seem like we have been singled out for punishment. The apparent ‘downhill slide’, and the slow decline of situations will continue to test your patience, and your faith: and the presence of low-life’s and scum-bags will do the same. The Earth is a weird place. The light only begins to shine in our darkest hour. Now that you’re in the thick of it, the trick is to remember that you are being guided by forces that will transform all of this in the same way that the Lotus blooms out of the mud
Copyright - Cal Garrison: 2019: ©