Today could be a good day to get some practice at that peace, love and understanding idea, which always seems so excellent in the five minute intervals between one irritation and the next. Eris, teacher of peace, was sent to try us. Her myth illustrates how even the most apparently sophisticated goddesses among us (Venus, Pallas and Juno) would really rather kick off something like World War III than ever let their egos take a knock — given the choice. And that’s the choice Eris gives us.

Today, the dwarf planet named for her gets squared by Venus, one of said goddesses. Eris’s orbit goes way out beyond Pluto, and in Aries particularly I think she can represent the last throes of ego that trip us up and make us stupid just when we think we’ve come so very far. She reminds me of that Ram Dass quote, which was something like, “If you think you’re so enlightened, try spending a week with your parents.”

Today also, Mars squares Hylonome from Virgo. I think Hylonome (in unprocessed form) can represent deep-seated emotional reflex actions that can happen so automatically and unconsciously that they don’t feel controllable, and are felt very physically (article here). This aspect from Mars in Virgo could be perceived as some kind of critical (very probably self-critical) attack, which, importantly, we have the option not to waste our energy reacting to. With Hylonome, I think it can be helpful to do something healthy and physical, since she seems to feel everything in her body, almost as if it doesn’t go via the brain. I think Hylonome in her higher form can be a brilliant combination of sensitivity and genius, in which case she easily has the capacity to figure out what’s going on and why, and to find some compassion for the source of the perceived attack and more importantly for herself and her feelings.