The next time you are in a group of people that you know, take a moment to study each individual. How are you connected? Why are you together? Have you found each other by chance or is your relationship predestined? When it comes to close family members, undoubtedly there is a past life connection. When it comes to acquaintances, take a close look at how you feel when you are with them. There will be some individuals that you are just extremely comfortable being with even on your first meeting. Some people feel like old friends immediately and you get on very well. There will be other individuals that you meeting and you have reserved opinions on them. Perhaps you have met in a previous existence and have things that still need to be worked out. Pay close attention to the feelings you have around this individual. By being tuned into your emotions, you should be able to obtain hints as to why you have reunited and what must be work out. There are others that come into your life for the first time because the soul understands that you both can offer each other learning tools and can gain valuable insight from one another. You meet many different individuals for many different reasons. Each encounters no matter how brief leaves you with information to assist in your growth. Even an abrupt encounter has meaning. The next time you sit down to have a conversation with someone, keep these things in mind. Ask your inner self for guidance and perhaps you will get a clearer picture on why you feel the way you do towards this individual. Do not dismiss the information that comes your way but do not over analyse it either. Acknowledge your relationship; appreciate the emotions shares; learn the lesson at hand and be grateful for the interaction, whatever it may be. Please “Like” us on Facebook If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click Contact Us Earlier posts can also be read on our blog - www.holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

There are many who honestly try to do their best but life keeps offering challenging lessons that seem to erode their life’s force. Perhaps I am being dramatic and this is an extreme expression, but I want those that are experiencing these hard lessons to realize that your friends and family are not downplaying their experiences and have compassion for them. It is hard to understand that these events and life’s circumstances are necessary and should not be pushed aside to smolder in our unconscious. It is during these emotional times of confusion and dismay that we come face to face with reality, however dismal it may appear. We are forced to confront the demon at the door and to face what life is trying to tell us. Sometimes the need resides within and other times, events from our outer world force change. There are times when we reach our breaking point and we have to make a move, however painful it may be. The greater the pain, the more resilient we become. We gain inner strength and knowledge through these lessons which enable us to move forward with confidence in a new direction in life. In the alternative, there are lessons so deep and so challenging that we feel stuck; endless obstacles stand in our way. All we want is to avoid these hurdles in life and try to sweep them under the carpet. It is during these crossroads that life or destiny is calling for a change of direction and a new course of action. We can hang on relentlessly but in many cases, these attempts are futile as we will only be confronted with more adversity down the road until we truly deal with the issue. Each ignored attempt only instigates an even more powerful lesson at a later date. Change is required and life is motivating us to move beyond the boundaries of what might feel safe. This is not to say that at the slightest provocation we should pick ourselves up and move in a different direction, but if after many failed attempts and if life is still asking for action, perhaps we should listen to the voice within and make that move. It can be a hard knock on our ego at times, but acknowledge what ego is. As long as we do not identify with ego, we can move forward and do not need to be incapacitated by our life’s events. Seek assistance from the higher sources. Do not hesitate to ask for direction, but once you have been given your answer, you must adhere to the advice. Do not ask if you are unwilling to listen. Life is full of challenging circumstances and sometimes we need to turn that corner, but only after careful deliberation. Never jump, but pay heed to the lessons that are being taught. Turning the corner and not knowing what is hidden there can be unnerving. Most times, the next corner shows the light at the end of the tunnel. Please “Like” us on Facebook If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click Contact Us Our earlier posts can also be read on our blog – www.holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

We have recently been asked to define in layman’s terms how a Birth or Natal chart depicts information. The Birth or Natal chart is partly delineated by the placement of the planets within the 12 Astrology houses (the twelve divided sections within the chart circle). These houses are areas of life and define character traits and activities that will pertain to the individual. A couple of simplified examples would be the first house deals primarily with the self, the image we present to the world, and our reaction to life events. The second house has to do with your finances and security issues, while the third has to do with everyday life affairs and communication. These descriptions are very brief and there are many more influences and areas of life represented by the houses. As mentioned, the planets at birth fall within one of these twelve houses. Each planet has a significant influence on these areas of life (represented by each house). For example, Mercury rules the mind and how we think and expresses ourselves. If Mercury is located in the second house, this individual would think in detail about monetary matters and the security that might be associated with material abundance or the lack there of. This is also very brief in description. The spacing between the planets is important. Some planets are in close proximity to each other while other planets are spread about the Astrology chart. The Birth chart is made up of 360 degrees and each house occupies a portion of this 360 degrees. The planets within this framework form angles to each other and these angles are measured by degrees, from one planet to the next. Each varying angle describes the energy as do the planets. The degree between these planets provides the Astrologer with information on the energies created between the planets and how the planets will relate to each other. An example of this might be Mercury, the planet of the mind, in a stressful aspect to Saturn, the planet of restriction and hardships. This would suggest learning difficulties or speech problems to name just a couple of issues. This once again is a very brief description but provides the reader with an idea of how the Chart is read. Astrology is very in-depth and this post only touches the surface. Suffice to say that a beginner’s course would describe in detail these delineations and provide the student with insight into how to understand their own snapshot at birth as well as others’ birth charts. Please “Like” us on Facebook If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click Contact Us Our earlier posts can also be read on our blog - www.holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

I believe it is safe to say that life is on a continuous evolutionary spiral. Accordingly, we would like to address the upcoming generation as well as the generations to follow. How long we live is a question that few of us can answer, and most of us follow our life’s direction with little thought to the ending of this incarnation. There truly is nothing wrong with this approach as this life is but a chapter in our spiritual life. When this life ends, we simply move into the next phase, whatever that may be. There is no expiration. There is just a new beginning, and if there is a beginning there is an ending of sorts. It is our responsibility to facilitate the awakening process in our children and allow them to learn and understand that life is more than just a material experience. We can provide them with tools that help to teach that life is an opportunities to further our spiritual growth. We can only truly teach by example in all stages of growth. Even if our children are at a stage of disbelief, stay true to your own beliefs. Simply through watching your example and responses, you can guide them to uncover their true selves. Move ever so gently as you feel the vibrations and impression you are leaving with them. They will receive what they are open to receive. There are of course those children that have entered this life far more naturally informed than we may be. We as well must stay open as we can gain great insight from our children. Our children and our grandchildren can be our greatest learning tools. Sit and listen to the wisdom that flows from these loving children. They are truly amazing. Leave the dialogue door open with your children. Share and be open to receive the wisdom of our pure essence. For those children that are unsure, tread lightly and weigh things out along the way making sure that you do not drive them away by your overly exuberant efforts. Impact your children in such a way that your loving example cannot be ignored. Please “Like” us on Facebook If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click Contact Us Earlier posts can also be read on our blog - www.holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

Since we are in the sign of Cancer and Cancer rules the fourth house, we are going to continue on this theme and speak about the North Nodes position in the fourth house in the Birth chart. The North Node is our intended path in this life, while the South Node describes a previous existence and where we have come from. We are here to discover our purpose through the application of the North Node’s characteristics. We are to use some of our talents associated with the South Node only as assistance to help move us forward in the direction of our North Node. The fourth house Nodal characteristics are completely foreign to us and we will have to work to learn these characteristics. If the North Node is in the fourth house, the South Node (which is always directly opposite) will be in the tenth house. The South Node placement is a very comfortable place for us, as it is where we have come from. We can easily fall back in to these habits but this is not how we will progress in our spiritual evolution. With the North Node in the fourth house, we have come into this incarnation to create a solid foundation for our children and loved ones. Security is very important and we wish to secure a home and family to teach us about nurturing and taking care of others. In some cases, there are issues around parenthood. Some have difficulty producing a family and some have issues within the family unit and must learn compassion, understanding and unfiltered love. Giving of oneself through the family is often one of the lessons that must be experienced with this combination. Quite often the Mother or mother figure holds a very important role in the lives of these individuals with this Nodal positioning. In some cases, the father figure is missing in some way and often the relationship with the mother is much stronger than the relationship with the father. There is a close kinship although this does not necessarily mean that the relationship is a smooth one. There is just a closeness which is often linked to learning nurturing and caring (as this is part of the fourth house Nodal assignment). With the South Node in the tenth house, often these individuals bring forward executive abilities. They would have been in a leadership role in a past life and now still feels the pull to take on responsibilities at work. As the South Nodes position is something that must be steered away from, if the individual focuses on the profession and material gain, there is often a fall from grace at some point in life to steer the person back on their intended path. There is a great need to learn what love and emotional enlightenment is all about in this life and many find fulfillment in the spiritual realms. Meditation should be practiced on a regular basis to initiate this transformation. You are the caregiver and the attendant who has been brought into this life to learn how to nurture others, which in turn will assist you in learning how to nurture yourself. If there is a drive for succeed in this life or a push for financial gain or a drive to move up the ladder of success, you are functioning out of the wrong end of the nodes. Find your fulfillment in the caring of those less fortunate as there is a essential need to look after the downtrodden and the lost or forgotten people of the world. Nursing and caring for the elderly or psychology are often areas that will help to facilitate the fourth house North Node’s requirements . Please “Like” us on Facebook If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click Contact Us Earlier posts can also be read at - www.holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

Meditation is a wonderful tool for self-discovery. There are different techniques and one method often used is the breathing in of positive energies on the inhalation and the release of negative energy on the exhalation. It is a good tool to assist in the clearing of the busy mind and focusing on your objective. Would it not be beneficiary to integrate this technique into your everyday life? Could we not programme the mind to utilize this technique routinely until you are capable of carrying out this procedure on a sub-conscious level? This practice will become automatic as you strive to create a harmonious and peaceful co-existence with all the surrounds you. Remember you are the creator of your own destiny. You hold the key to opening your own personal doorway. Life is always in your hand. Make it work is such a way that you draw to you all “aspects” that you wish to make a part of our united whole. In the end, each of us become the individual we have always dreamt we wanted to be and always knew that we could be. Please “Like” us on Facebook If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click Contact Us Earlier posts can also be read on our blog - http://holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

In desperate times when the world around us is seemingly collapsing, many of us will reach outside of ourselves for assistance. In the hope of finding a solution, we look for assistance from others or search for a guiding light to help us through our predicaments. We sometimes lose hope and do not know where to turn so we seek assistance or spiritual insights from others. There are times when we become lost in life’s tumultuous conditions and at a crucial moment a specific individual magically appears to give us support or advice that just did not seem available before. In times of great stress, we often draw to us a guiding light either through an individual or some other force that seems to show up just when we need the guidance most. Sometimes these individuals seem to come into our lives and once our crisis is over, they leave our lives just as quickly. It is as though they simply have been sent to us to help us through the current conditions. We can become so caught up in our current situation that we do not see our life events clearly and require guidance and vision from outside forces. Under most conditions, we are able to find resolution from within but there are times when we become so wrapped up in life’s lessons that we are blinded by our focus and the stress. It is amazing and certainly empowering that the right people just seem to show up at the right time--sent from our source to help get us back on track and in focus. Co-incidence......I think not! At times in life, we will experience conditions or circumstances when solutions evade us and although these challenges provide us inner strength and insight, they can still overwhelm us. It is reassuring to know that, when in our darkest hours, someone or something will come along to guide us. Remember this when you are at the “wall” and cannot find a resolution. Do not give up. The answer is just around the next corner. Please “Like” us on Facebook. If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click Contact Us Early posts can also be read on our blog - www.holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

To continue our brief explanation of the workings of Astrology, we are going to touch on what transits actually are and how they affect the Birth chart. As explained a couple of days ago, the Birth chart or Natal chart is a snapshot of the heavens at the instant of birth. Time was literally frozen at the moment of birth to create this chart. Upon the continuation of the movement of planets after the instant of birth, we have what is referred to as transits or transiting planets. Transits are the movement of planets through the Zodiac or Birth chart from the instant after birth and onward. All the planets move at various speeds. The inner planets (the ones closest to the Sun) move more rapidly than the outer planets. Their cycles vary due to the gravitational pull from the Sun. The inner planets, including the Moon, move rapidly and their influence through transit are important but do not hold the significance of the outer or slower moving planets. The reason that the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) have a greater significance in the horoscope is due to their slow speed of movement. Neptune and Pluto move about one degree per year; therefore, you feel the energy of these planets in your life for a very long period of time. As these planets continue on their rotations, they create aspects to the planets in the Birth chart (angles or degrees from the birth positions). These angles are called Aspects and are defined by the degree apart from the original birth placement of each of the planets. There are many aspects but the strongest Aspect is called a conjunction (0-10 degrees apart). The closer this aspect is to exact which would be when the planet in transit sits directly on the birth planet, the stronger its influence. This exact aspect is also used as a timing factor when determining events along with other mitigating factors in the horoscope. Transits are used along with progressions, (discussed at a later date) and the solar chart ( also to be discussed at a later date) to determine potential events in the lives of those where the transiting planets are making aspects. This is how astrological forecasting works and each planet along with the house it is in will define potential energies and the areas of life which will be affected. It should, however, be understood that although Astrology does provide timing factors and describes the area of life involved as well as potential outcomes and how things work out, your attitude towards these events is the underlying quality that has the greatest effects on your life. Astrology points the way and outlines potential events, but your attitude defines how it affects you. Astrology does not dictate although it will define events, but in the long haul, you are always the master of your own destiny. Life may be predetermined, but you hold the key to your reaction. In understanding this, you will gain insight and strength. These life events facilitate inner strength and an opportunity for growth. There are also aspects which indicate a positive energy coming into your life and Astrology can predict when these energies are enhanced and can prepare you so that you can use the energies in a positive fashion to make the most out of the opportunities. To open yourself to more information and indications of potential events into your life, an understanding of the working of Astrology will help in facilitating these opportunities and assist in promoting avenues of expression. Using Astrology as a tool or reference guide can be a wise decision to assist in preparing and organizing for coming events. Be prepared when these opportunities knock. Please “Like” us on Facebook If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click Contact Us Earlier posts can also be read on our blog - http://holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

Take a ride on the wave of life. Travel though the most dense forest and walk the paths least trodden. Life is yours to discover, yours to enjoy and yours to share. Enjoy every moment, every experience and let life lead the way. You are here for the ride so ride it with enthusiasm. It is yours to conquer, yours to experience and true living will stimulate simply from the experience. There is no bad ride. There are only bumpy roads that eventually lead to soft and gentle slops and lush valleys. Every ride is beautiful, filled with splendor. Live your life to the fullest. Enjoy every moment. Do not let it pass you by! Remember you are the captain. You are in control. As you create your life and learn through experience be open to the lessons life is constantly teaching. No lesson is beyond your limits and the higher you set these limits, the further you will go. In reality, there are no limits only the restrictions we place on ourselves. Stay in tune with your life and listen to the music it is playing. It is calling you to dance. Please “Like” us on Facebook If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please click "Contact Us" Earlier posts can also be read on our blog - www.holmastrology.blogspot.ca/

We have had enquires on whether we would consider instructing Astrology courses. We are contemplating an Astrology course starting with the basics, progressing to an intermediate level and then finally offering an advanced course. We would like to get an idea of how many people would be interested in participating in courses, at what level and whether they would be more interested in a classroom setting or online. If you have are interest, please private message us on our FB page – www.facebook.com/HolmAstrology or here on our website under Contact Us (We do not see comments made from shared posts on FB). Once we have gathered some information, we will work out the details and keep you informed in future posts. To ensure you receive our posts, please like us on Facebook or become a member here on our website.