Last Quarter Moon - Week of December 27, 2010

Here in Rhode Island, in the EST time zone, the Last Quarter Moon occurs at 11:18 PM EST on Monday, December 27, 2010. The angles of the chart set for Providence, RI are closely conjunct and square the degrees of the recent Lunar Eclipse. The angles of a horoscope are the cusps of the first, fourth, seventh and tenth houses. These are very important points in the horoscope. In a personal horoscope transits to these points often coincide with important events in the life. The mix of energies prevalent at the New and Full Moons continue as the Moon winds down appearing smaller each evening until the darkness prevails. This is the time where we assimilate all that we have learned during the waxing and full phases and prepare for the coming New Moon, Solar Eclipse in Capricorn on January 4, 2011. In preparation for this Last Quarter Moon, Moon enters Libra at 12:38 PM on Monday. Libra is a social sign and we feel like talking, mingling and interacting with our fellow human beings. Libra has the knack of seeing both sides and weighing things in the balance. This is useful when operating under the stressful aspects that prevail at this Last Quarter Moon. This week as the Moon travels from Libra, to intense Scorpio into exuberant Sagittarius, Mars will make a stressful aspect to Saturn. This is a good time to work on projects that require diligence, organization and practical use of energy. Things can get done under this aspect although it may not be easy. The other big news this week is Mercury turning in direct motion on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 2:21 AM EST. You will notice things beginning to move forward that were “stuck”. New information surfaces and rumor is laid to rest. You may find that you have to redo or reorganize projects begun under retrograde Mercury. Wait to begin new projects until after the New Moon of the 4th. Finish up what has been started, tie up loose ends and prepare and be ready for the new that is sure to come with the New Year and the New Moon. Peace!

Christmas Day – The Return of the Light

During the course of the Solar Year the Sun inches its way along the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun through the heavens). At the Winter Solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere) the Sun seems to stand still, rising and setting in the same place for three days. On the fourth day the rising and setting of the Sun begins to move in the opposite direction signaling “the return of the light” as the days begin to get longer. This has been a time of great celebration from remote antiquity to the present day. The Romans had Saturnalia, the Hebrews Hanukkah and the Christians, recognizing a good thing, declared this day of returning light to be the birth of Christ. (Historical scholars, biblical and otherwise dispute this date.) The Solar Kings of ancient myth are reborn this day. Christian or not, it is altogether fitting that we light candles, string lights, burn the Yule log or do whatever your personal tradition calls for at this time of year. It puts us in tune with the natural rhythms of the earth. This Christmas Day begins with the Moon in royal, regal Leo, so appropriate for celebrating the birth of a king. Before dawn, the Moon goes Void of Course until 10:14 AM EST when Moon enters Virgo. The sign of Virgo is of course, the Virgin. In ancient times she was “a woman unto herself” which meant, she did not need a man. Indeed our most famous Virgin delivered a son without as much as a handshake from her husband. Seasonally, Virgo is the sign of the harvest when we separate the wheat from the chaff selecting the best of the best from the fruits of the earth. This day the Virgo Moon will help those preparing the Christmas feast, the gravy will have no lumps, and the food will all be hot and arrive on time. Virgo Moon raises our awareness of what is good for us and what is not. So you can forget overindulgence and take an afternoon walk to work off some excess calories. And by all means we must share the light and love that this holiday season signifies and calls for.

Oprah Winfrey and the Lunar Eclipse

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on Tuesday falls precisely on Oprah Winfrey’s Ascendant/Descendant axis. An eclipse, falling so closely to a planet or point in the chart, can accompany life changing events. Oprah has already announced that her daily show will end in September of 2011 when her contract ends and she is launching her new network OWN on January 1, 2011. The Moon at this Eclipse sits on her Descendant, the cusp or beginning of her 7th house of relationships. Oprah’s personal one on one relationships receive this eclipsing energy. A Lunar Eclipse emphasizes the emotional aspects of her relationships. Her most famous relationships are with her BFF Gail and with her long term love, Stedman. Rumors about her sexual orientation persist as she is seen with Gail much more than she is seen with Stedman. Oprah is an Aquarian. Aquarians are known to march to the tune of a different drummer. They do the unexpected and are usually ahead of the curve which makes their actions seem all the more unusual. With an eclipse on her relationship house there is a possibility of disputes and disagreements with those close to her. Oprah may become more private about her personal relationships. I would venture a guess that there is more going on in Oprah’s personal life, in her personal and business relationships than the gossiping media is even aware of. An event involving someone who is important to her will upset her emotionally. It could prove to be a learning experience for her. Only time will tell.

Winter Solstice - Full Moon - Lunar Eclipse - Quite a Combination

This Winter Solstice occurring on the heels of a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is a jumble and a jangle of elements, inner tensions, and fluctuating opinions. Politicians be warned, the natives are restless. Astrologers use the Solstice chart to get a handle on the political, economic and social trends that will predominate for the season. As such, the Solstice charts are a valuable tool in forecasting. The Lunar Eclipse at the 29^th degree of the Sagittarius/Gemini axis, the Galactic Center, accompanying this Winter Solstice brings extra potency to an already strong planetary alignment. While there is some debate about how long the influence of Eclipses are the influence of the Solstice chart is in effect until the changing of the season. At this Solstice we find Retrograde Mercury in a stressful square aspect, to Jupiter and Uranus. This combination screams shocking, unexpected, wildly distorted, big news or events. The Sun in Capricorn in the 6^th house along with Mars, Pluto and the North Node emphasizes the working class, the armed forces, and public health. Common public needs and institutions like the water supply, the school system, Police and Fire Departments move to the forefront and the issues associated with these institutions are complicated and not easily solvable. It will take more than political hot air to resolve.  Labor Unions, workers, civil servants, employment/unemployment push the emotional buttons of the general public. Earthquakes, explosions, hurricanes and other weather related events affect agriculture and food supplies. Immigration, emigration, international diplomacy or lack of create situations ripe for distortion. Remember Retrograde Mercury and wait until the dust settles before you rush to judgement. Covert military action, hostage situations, and basic human rights hit the headlines. There are opportunities to work with the opposition, with people who do not agree with you. It will not be easy, will take listening on both sides but compromise and agreement can be reached. Hammered out is the phrase that comes to mind. Often when these great planetary alignments occur we do not see the manifestation of these energies for months, even years to come. It is like a person who is overweight; making the decision to get on the healthy track of good diet and exercise. The decision is made while under a particular planetary configuration the results of which we don’t see until months have passed. Actions taken now will have far reaching effects/affects. When in doubt, always take the high road. Usher in this winter season with a meditation on healing, peace and serenity. Spread the light!

Julian Assange – Wikileaks – Terrorist or Man on a Mission?

With the release of hundreds of thousands of US diplomatic cables and email, Julian Assange, Wikileaks founder, has created uproar in diplomatic circles worldwide. Some consider him a hero while others the vilest of villains. Born with an eighth house Sun in nurturing Cancer trining a Scorpio Moon in the twelfth, this is a man who loves the secret, the hidden, and the taboo. And delights in revealing it. Mercury, in Cancer, the news and information planet sits in the ninth house of publishing making an aspect of ease to Jupiter in Scorpio in the first house. Jupiter rules publishing and promises a big splash with big news. Venus in Gemini, in the eighth house as well, makes a difficult aspect to Pluto in Virgo. Gemini is a big news and information sign and Venus here squares off with Pluto, speaking truth to power. Pluto in the eleventh reveals that Assange has some powerful connections. The natal Saturn opposes Neptune and squares Uranus. Saturn keeps it real, Neptune speaks to high ideals and Uranus loves nothing better than shaking up the status quo. Mars the planet that indicates how we use our energy and take action is in the humanitarian sign of Aquarius. The North Node of the Moon, the point in the horoscope that points to what the native is striving for in this life, is in Aquarius as well. Transiting Saturn in Libra (where Saturn is in the sky now) has entered his twelfth house of prisons, seclusion and hidden enemies. You can make book with Saturn; he is always right on the money. Because Assange’s twelfth house runs from 13 degrees Libra to 17 degrees of Scorpio, Saturn will be here until December, 2013. The 17^th degree of Scorpio marks the cusp of his first house. This is the Ascendant, the point in the horoscope where the individual first faces the world at large. The furor over these latest leaks will continue and Assange will be limited and constricted whether he faces jail or not. It will be interesting to note how events unfold towards the end of the month. First, Venus in Scorpio, now in his twelfth house will hit the Ascendant on Christmas Eve. Will more secrets be revealed or will Julian Assange get a welcome Christmas surprise? Second, all of these charges related to an alleged rape in Sweden, court proceedings, and bail hearings are taking place under a Retrograde Mercury. Mercury stations and turns direct on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 2:21 AM EST. Mercury Retrograde loves the rumor, to misinform and to generally play the trickster. When a direct motion occurs, new information comes to light, the false rumor is revealed and the truth emerges. January 8, 2011 and March 8, 2011, give or take a week, are two key dates that will figure prominently in this continuing saga. Love him or hate him, Julian Assange is the 21^st Century’s version of the investigative Journalist. He fills a vacuum left by the corporate media that has become more entertainment than news.

Mars Squaring Uranus Kicks Off the December to Remember

I write this as Mars squares Uranus. When Mars and Uranus are in hard aspect like this I am tempted to head for the bunker and hunker down until the smoke clears. The word explosive comes to mind. With Moon in Scorpio in the deepest, darkest waning phase of the Lunar Cycle and Uranus poised and ready to move into direct motion after Sunday’s New Moon in Sagittarius it is hard to say when or where the next shocker will come from. This December will be the December to remember. Between the New Moon and First Quarter Moon Uranus goes direct, Mars moves into Capricorn and on Friday, December 10, 2010 Mercury goes retrograde. At the First Quarter Moon on Monday, December 13th Mars and Pluto join forces. Going from a square with Uranus to a conjunction with Pluto, Mars is the igniter. Uranus is Mr. Surprise, the unexpected, the unusual, often bringing a shocking jolt out of the blue. Pluto is that deep rumble below the surface that erupts and brings about powerful transformations. The Full Moon occurring hours before the Winter Solstice is a Lunar Eclipse at 29 degrees Gemini/Sagittarius. This is the Galactic Center that plays such an important part in the Mayan Calendar and the hullaballoo about 2012. Venus having retraced her steps will be at the point where she went retrograde back in October. In Scorpio, the sign of sex, death and taxes, she is through playing games. Diplomatic secrets will continue to be revealed. Venus has a sharp tongue here and walks a razor’s edge. At the Last Quarter Moon on December 27th busy Mars once again enters the picture with a hard aspect to Saturn. Mars in Capricorn works well, likes to work toward concrete results. Who better to deal with than Saturn, the Lord of the Material World? A hard aspect, the square, says it “don’t come easy”. On the 30th Mercury stations and begins to move in direct motion. All the false rumors and misinformation will begin to sort itself out. As the planets change signs and directions the dynamic changes as well. With the direction changes the energies and symbolism of the particular planet is enhanced and emphasized. The fallout from the latest Wikileak will impact international relationships as well as the public’s perception of government. We’re talking worldwide here. The financial situation here at home and across the world will serve to educate the people to the amount of manipulation of public opinion and political figures going on behind the scenes. More secrets will be revealed. Unusual weather patterns unfold and earthquake and/or volcanic action literally and figuratively shake things up.