January Ends With a Bang!

On Wednesday January 27^th with Mercury now direct and waning Moon in Virgo it is a good time to clear the decks, desks and tie up any loose ends that have been hanging. Finish and complete are the buzzwords for this energy.  Thursday morning Moon enters Libra at 9:59 A EST bringing conversational skills to the fore.  This is a good time to resolve any issues within a personal relationship.  Libra Moon sees both sides of the picture, promotes fairness and favors teamwork and partnerships of all kinds.

Moon goes Void of Course at 8:34 PM EST on Friday evening and remains so until entering the sign of Scorpio on Saturday at 10:50 PM EST.  This is one of those long Void of Course periods, best to kick back and just let things flow. It is best to ground and center, engage in any spiritual practice and avoid making decisions.

As Friday rolls over into Saturday Mercury joins Pluto for some intense conversation. No idle cocktail party chitchat for these two.  Deep, penetrating and profound questions, answers and conversation is the hallmark of this signature.  With the Sun directly overhead in the sky on this Saturday, Venus connects with Neptune.  This is a great aspect for the artist.  Everyone becomes more aware of the love and beauty around them.  The danger here is clinging to the ideal and not the reality.  This is the original rose-colored glasses aspect.  In areas involving love and money be sure you are seeing what is, not what you want it to be.

Sunday with Moon in Scorpio all day, the Last Quarter Moon occurs.  Quarter Moons create action.  This Quarter Moon has Mercury squared off with Uranus. And the Moon while squaring the Sun snuggles up to Mars in Scorpio.  January will end with a bang. This could manifest as a weather related event, an aviation or transportation mishap or outrageous words and actions by a prominent figure.  With Uranus involved the unexpected rules, things that one could not possibly conceive of, occur. These aspects also set the stage for the following week.  Expect more surprises as the first week of February unfolds. Hang on to your hat!

Full Moon Weekend

Wednesday, January 20^th Moon in Gemini welcomes the Sun as it moves into Gemini compatible Aquarius.  Gemini and Aquarius are air signs and deal with the world of ideas, some of it abstract and under the influence of Aquarius, forward looking and inventive.  Sun in Aquarius can rouse the rebel in us all but Aquarius’ co-ruler Saturn retains the inclination to trod the straight and narrow.  Under this influence new ideas emerge to perform the same old, same old. In the afternoon retrograde Mercury in Capricorn squares Aquarius’ more daring co-ruler Uranus.  This can trigger sparks of genius with the ability to manifest that genius in the material world.  Hold on before implementing those ideas until Mercury goes direct on the 25^th.  This aspect can also trigger accidents involving transportation in all forms, auto, air, trains etc.

Leading into the weekend Moon slides home to Cancer on Thursday morning.  Moon belongs here and the emotions rule the next few days.  Instinct takes over on many occasions.   We’re feeling vulnerable, exposed and often overly sensitive.  Folks want to nurture and be nurtured.  It’s easy to go for the comfort food under this Moon.  Remember, it may feel good going down but once it hits the hips, there is where it will stay. 

Mercury gets in the picture before dawn on Friday, the 22^nd when the winged messenger hooks up with Pluto.  Wherever Pluto goes the crap comes to the surface first.  With Mercury involved, it is verbal crap. Once the crap has floated away it is time for some deep, penetrating conversation.  Time to get to the bottom of something, whatever that “something” is in your life.  Retrograde Mercury will come back to Pluto at month’s end after turning Direct, so this conversation, which may have begun around the Winter Solstice, when these two were together in the sky for the first time, may not attain resolution until after the 30^th.

Saturday is Full Moon day. Moon enters Leo at 2:21 PM EST.  Venus enters Capricorn at 3:32 PM EST and the Full Moon is exact at 8:48 PM EST.  Moon rises at 4:45 PM EST and sets the following morning at 7:08 AM EST.  So if the weather is clear you will have ample opportunity to view the Moon in all its glorious fullness.

There is a lot of tension in the Full Moon chart.  These tensions can bring a nudge to move us along into a different or the right direction.  It is a good time to get together with friends, speak from your heart and take a look around to find out where you are at and where you want to go.  Friends may bring some drama into your life or they could simply drag you out of the house for a rollicking good time.  Remember this Full Moon is in Leo and folks like to be appreciated under this Moon so give that compliment or thank that person for whatever.  This is a great weekend for romance if you are so inclined.  Folks want to have fun so let your inner child out to play.

On Monday, Mercury goes direct at 4:50 PM EST.  When planets change direction they are moving very slow and appear to stop then begin to move again.  With Mercury, new information and ideas begin to percolate.  Moon entering Mercury ruled Virgo at 10:45 PM EST brings with it the energy to sift through the various threads, retaining and discarding as you go along. Virgo Moon enhances or powers of discernment.  With waning Moon in Virgo it is a good time to eliminate that which does not serve you. Issues of diet and health predominate.  This is the optimal time to start a diet to lose weight or take that last drag of nicotine.  We are totally aware under this Moon of what is good for us and what ain’t.  Act accordingly.

Pisces New Moon - Mars, Jupiter and Saturn Stir Things Up

The New Moon in Pisces at 2:59 AM EST on Saturday morning, March 1, 2014 makes a positive connections with Jupiter in Cancer.  This is a great for spiritual openings, heightening of the imagination and enhancing artistic abilities.  Mercury in Aquarius went direct the day before and Mars goes retrograde at 11:24 AM EST and just like that the energy shifts and changes.   More changes come as Moon enters Aries on Sunday and Saturn in Scorpio turns retrograde.  When planets change direction the energies that those planets embody heightens, strengthens and often manifests concrete events according to the sign they are in and in the individual horoscope, the house they are in.  In the afternoon, Venus in Capricorn squares retrograde Mars in Libra. Relationships are strained, arguments ensue.  The masculine and feminine principles clash. This does not bode well for diplomacy on international fronts as well as the kitchen table variety.  Moon in Aries wants things right now.  Impulsive action that is not well thought out is a signature of this Moon. 

On Monday, March 3, 2014 before most folks make it to the job this Aries Moon bounces off Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto stirring things up.  Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto are in an ongoing T-Square that is Jupiter opposing Pluto and both squaring Uranus, looks like a T.  Squares agitate and make things happen; oppositions are just that, opposing viewpoints, folks on opposite sides of the fence.  We see this symbolism acted out in world events.  In the Ukraine, it’s between East and West, in the US it’s liberal and conservative, rich and poor etc. So when Aries Moon sets this off things happen.  When Moon passed through Libra kicking things off from the opposite side of the Zodiac forming a Grand Square demonstrations began in Kiev. Aries Moon may escalate things.  In the afternoon Sun in Pisces forms a congenial aspect with Pluto in Capricorn, although congenial any time Pluto is involved there are issues of power and control.

On Tuesday afternoon at 2:12 PM EST Moon enters Taurus bringing out our need for emotional stability. We don’t like change and favor the traditional while Moon travels through this fixed earth sign.  Folks tend to be a bit stubborn now.  On Ash Wednesday, with Moon still in Taurus, Venus moves into Aquarius.  Venus, the planet of love and money in this sign is looking for friendship first. The unconventional or odd appeals and socializing is often done with a group of friends while Venus is in Aquarius. 

On Friday, Jupiter in Cancer changes direction stirring up Uranus and Pluto in the process.  In the evening Moon moves into versatile Gemini and we seek mental stimulation.  Talking and the exchange of ideas keep folks busy.  The duality of Gemini often makes it difficult to make a decision. A good time to take care of correspondence and return phone calls as information simply flows.

All in all this is a week of change.  In some areas things that were on hold begin to move along, while in other areas a reevaluation may be in order.  We can expect more demonstrations, authorities flexing their muscles and the common folk flexing theirs as well.  On an individual level it may be difficult to extend the olive branch but attempts at peace making are always worth the effort.  The fruits of those efforts may not manifest right away, but during periods of turmoil it is wise to lay the foundation for the hoped for stability to follow.

Hooray! Mercury Direct - First Quarter to Full Moon

All those missed connections, traffic snafus, and tangled communications begin to clear up and clear out now that Mercury turns in direct motion on Sunday afternoon.  This is the First Quarter Moon day as well kicking the week off with a lot of action.

 On Monday, with Moon in Pisces, Mercury trines Neptune in Pisces and imagination runs wild; this combination is good for writers, musicians and healers. There’s otherworldliness about it all. We reach into the mystical with ease under this aspect. Just remember to pay attention while driving.  Meditation behind the wheel is not a good idea. 

Tuesday Moon goes void at 9:34 AM and Sun trines Jupiter.  Trines, a 120 degree aspect, are an aspect where the two energies blend with ease.  Sun and Jupiter together are a happy pair.  There is danger though of overconfidence here.  You may have to take your enthusiasm down a notch in order not to overwhelm. 

Moon enters Aries in the wee hours of Wednesday.  Neptune goes direct on Wednesday afternoon and with that earlier assist from Mercury some issues become clearer.  There’s a suggestion of movement although it may be very subtle. This is a good time to listen to that inner voice.

Thursday Moon goes void at 3:57PM and does not enter Taurus until Friday morning at 9:49 AM.  Over the course of these two days, Venus squares Uranus and conjuncts Pluto.  The square to Uranus on Thursday night brings excitement, the unusual and the unconventional.  The Friday afternoon conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn promises intensity.  Capricorn is about business and societal structures. Venus is the diplomat. Discussions are passionate and topics are deep.  No idle hour chit chat for these two.

The Full Moon on Sunday morning falls along the Scorpio/Taurus axis.  These are fixed signs and folks may not want to budge from their positions. At this time you get a hint of what the New Moon Solar Eclipse is all about for you as the Full Moon energy is a culminating energy, bringing things to a head, as it were.

A little note about Moon Void of Course:  The Moon is a fast mover traveling through all twelve signs in a lunar month.  When the Moon gets near the end of a sign it makes its last aspect before entering a new sign.  This is called the Moon Void of Course period.  This can last for a few minutes, hours or even days depending on where the other planets are transiting.  Actions taken during Void of Course periods have a tendency to turn out in ways that were completely unexpected.  Decisions made now often have difficulties or run into delays. Void of Course is a good time to go with the flow.  Focus on the spiritual, do a little meditation, and spend some time reflecting.  In the real world this is not always possible as life goes regardless of the Moon’s position. So just keep moving and do what needs to be done.  If possible postpone decisions until the void period ends.  But don’t get your knickers in a twist if you can’t. Life is full of adjustments and readjustments.  We truck on.

A Week of Shifting and Change

If the Solar Eclipse on Sunday wasn’t enough to rattle your cage a few planetary shifts in the upcoming week may accomplish what the eclipse did not.  Although an eclipse is quite a vehicle for change any New Moon period is the time of planting the seeds of change.  We don’t often see results or action right away but must wait until the seeds begin to sprout.

This week; helping to move that process along are a couple of planetary changes that will change the flow of energy.  Early Tuesday morning Venus kisses the fiery freewheeling sign of Sagittarius behind and dons her business suit as she enters the earth sign of Capricorn.  Capricorn is all about business, structure and form.  Venus here wants a solid relationship and does not encourage frittering money away on trivial things.  You can put a new roof on or buy a new furnace but forget the mink coat and diamond earrings.  In relationships, while Venus always loves the fun and games, in Capricorn she is looking for stability.  Capricorn is an earth sign and folks tend to forget that earth signs are not without passion, although Capricorn usually gives more while expending less energy.  Relationships begun now are usually slow to start but tend to last awhile.

As Wednesday rolls into Thursday, Jupiter, Thursday’s ruler, changes direction, turning retrograde.  Retrograde periods are times to revise and review.  Jupiter in Cancer has a lot to do with the home front, nurturing, and things of an emotional nature.  Jupiter in Cancer turns on the water works with emotions overflowing and at times exaggerated. Where Jupiter is transiting in the natal chart will tell the tale.  This is the area where the brakes are applied and a little evaluation and reevaluation will be going on until Jupiter goes direct again on March 6, 2014.

The First Quarter Moon, just after midnight on Sunday pits the Scorpio Sun against Aquarius Moon, two fixed signs that help you to dig your heels in and persevere.  This great but sometimes change is necessary.  Don’t cling to the old and useless, try to embrace the new.  At 4:12 PM EST on Sunday Mercury, at last, goes direct.  Decision making should be put off until after this change in motion.  Over the following few days, new information surfaces, new ideas form and channels of communication open up.  We tend to see things a bit differently after Mercury goes direct. So hold off decision making or signing important papers until next week.

Some may get a glimpse of what the Solar Eclipse of the 3^rd holds for them.  Eclipses are about change, news and new directions.  Although this is a tough eclipse period with a lot of discordant energy there is always a silver lining, a gold nugget or a precious gem lying beneath the surface.  A little meditation goes a long way during this period.

Monday Again! Venus in Cancer – Mercury Direct – Last Quarter Moon

The week starts off with Moon in “get up and go” Aries. Folks are enthusiastic, ambitious and energetic. Not a bad way to begin the Monday morning grind. Be wary of impulsive actions; try to think things through before you start something new. People can be temperamental under Aries Moon and flare-ups and arguments often spark and burn before flaming out.

On Tuesday Venus the planet of love, money and relationships moves from talkative Gemini into emotional Cancer.  Venus in Cancer becomes the nurturer.  She’ll bring you a cup of tea, wipe your brow and offer a shoulder to cry on.  Watch out for emotional outburst with moody Venus in Cancer.

Mercury moves into direct motion early Wednesday morning.  All the communication snafus, missed appointments, and crossed wires come to an end as projects on hold move forward.  New information surfaces and new ideas blossom as we begin to understand what our friends, colleagues and relatives really meant.  Clarity arrives. 

Moon moves into Taurus shortly after Mercury’s change in direction.  Taurus Moon kicks aside the impulsiveness of Aries and settles into a routine.  Caution is the name of the game under Taurus Moon.  Change is not a word in this Moon’s vocabulary, maintaining the status quo is the primary focus. Folks get stubborn under this Moon as they dig their heels in from a sense of insecurity.  We identify with our “stuff” under this Moon and fear we don’t have enough.  Emotions can run high now as Taurus enhances the Luna attributes.

Thursday the Last Quarter Moon arrives as we enter fully into the winding down process.  We assimilate and prepare for the upcoming New Moon.  This is the time to incorporate and let go.  Take what is needed and shed what is useless. Make ready for the rebirthing process that comes with the next New Moon.

This Last Quarter Moon has Venus in Cancer forming a sweet little aspect with Neptune in Pisces. On the high level this can bring relationships of a spiritual nature.  Taking the low road can bring relationships that emphasize escapism whether through seeing the other through rose colored glasses or getting together for a round of drinks in order to flee from reality.

The work week ends with Moon in Gemini. Under this Moon making a decision presents a problem.  Dualistic Gemini sees all sides of every issue. Something as simple as choosing a restaurant or a movie becomes a major production. This is a good time for the intellectual, puzzles and mental challenges as under this Moon folks are curious, restless and looking for change.

Moon moves fast through the sky and throughout this speedy passage through the Zodiac Moon touches all planets. It rules the ups and downs of daily life.  Transits from the outer planets to an individual’s horoscope often get triggered by the swift moving Moon. When that happens life’s ups and downs can get a bit steeper. A consultation with an astrologer can prepare you for these bumps in the road.

April Fools’ Day Let the Fun Begin– Venus in Gemini, Mercury Direct

Before dawn on Sunday April Fools’ Day Moon moves into fun loving, fiery Leo. Everyone’s a star while Moon travels through this show biz sign. People are ambitious, looking for romance and need approval for the next couple of days. Be wary of April Fools’ Day jokes that backfire or have unexpected results when Moon forms a sparkling aspect to Uranus on Sunday afternoon.  This energy favors change, opportunity and independent action.  Get out there and find new friends and new prospects.

 Monday morning Sun and Moon fire up the beginning of the work week. Enthusiasm reigns.  When Moon squares off with Jupiter in solid Taurus, expect a few flies in the ointment.  Especially when it comes to money and any plans to improve the diet, Jupiter comes with a big appetite and often promises more than can be delivered.

Tuesday dawns with purpose, do your job and take care of business as Leo Moon joins forces with sober Saturn. Mid morning Moon and Venus, at odds with one another, bring mood swings and difficulty in relationships.  Moon goes void of course for a big 6 minutes then enters Virgo.  Here Moon retreats from center stage operating more comfortably in the background. Virgo Moon prefers the intellectual over the emotional. Tasks that require attention to detail or organization do well under this Moon.  Use this energy to clean the house, rearrange storage space and sort what is good from what is ready for the dustbin. Before noon Venus moves into flirtatious Gemini.  Sociability increases, folks make many contacts but not many with staying power. Venus in Gemini is easily bored. After lunch, Moon opposes Neptune and relationships hit another snag. Be wary of deception, especially self deception. By evening commute time Moon, in lock step with Mars warns against impulsive actions and outbursts of anger. Chill. 

 During the wee hours of Wednesday, April 4^th in the Eastern Time Zone Moon connects with Pluto and dreams reveal some deep psychological issue.  As the Sun rises, Mercury stations and begins to move in direct motion. Hurray and halleluiah! Projects on hold begin to move along, information flows and facts previously unknown are revealed. Virgo Moon, making nice, nice with Jupiter promises good opportunity for those on the lookout.

 Moon goes void of course at 1:37 AM EDT Thursday making a last aspect with newly direct Mercury setting the stage for the revelation of new facts.   Moon slides into Libra at 11:32 AM EDT ending the void period.  Libra Moon highlights partnerships, harmony, and social gatherings.  This is not the time to “go it alone”; Libra Moon encourages interaction with others, preferably in pleasant surroundings.  In the afternoon Moon and Libra’s ruler Venus form a harmonious blend. This is a good time to try and resolve any difficulties and disagreements in relationships.  All is peace, love and goodwill.  Complete any discussions before Moon faces off with unpredictable, unconventional Uranus around 8PM EDT.   Moon/Uranus combinations are volatile and disruptive.  Libra Moon wants to join forces while Uranus craves independence.  Later Venus squares Neptune an aspect of tension. Venus with Neptune can lead one to believe they have found their true soul mate. The reality is usually quite different.  There is a real danger here of overindulgence in intoxicants of all kinds in order to escape reality. Venus/Neptune contacts offer great opportunities to escape through music, art, prayer and meditation.

Moon squares off with Pluto during the small hours of Good Friday and we wake up to some deep revelation. At 3:19 PM EDT the Full Moon perfects, Libra Moon opposes Aries Sun.  This Full Moon brings eruption, disruption and other assorted shocks.  Thinking is quick, words leap to the lip without any consideration of the havoc those words may create.  Outrageous news and scandalous behavior mar the Easter/Passover weekend.

 Early Saturday morning Moon joins Saturn in an effort to sober everyone up and put them on a more stable track as Moon goes Void of Course.  Entering Scorpio at 11:18 AM EDT, Moon evokes passion and desire.  Intense moods and heightened suspicions create complications when communicating with others.  Throughout the day Moon moves along connecting with Neptune then Mars sparking an overly active imagination, doubt and distrust. Passions ignite when Venus squares off with Mars Saturday night.  Sexual desire demands as all romance gets thrown out the window. This does not sit well with some. Harmony and cooperation becomes difficult.  Take a breath, take a break, and try to relax. Realize that all this discord arises because there is a need under Scorpio Moon to merge with others on a deep, emotional level. We want to feel. Allow passions to cool don’t make a decision in the heat of the moment.  Don’t throw out all that peace and good will generated earlier in the week.  Slow down and try to think dispassionately. What is really going on here?

Hurricane Irene, Dark Moon, New Moon, Mercury Direct

Hurricane Irene rolled up the eastern seaboard of the United States under a dark Moon forcing us to comply with the Lunar dictates of quiet, meditative inner work while the Moon finishes one cycle and prepares for the new.  Rain, wind and power outages were the enforcers of those dictates. What else could you do? The New Moon occurs on Sunday night at 11:04 PM EDT in the sign of Virgo. This New Moon has a lovely trine, an aspect of ease, between Venus and Jupiter. Not a bad influence for the upcoming month. In traditional Astrology Jupiter is known as the Greater Benefic while Venus carries the moniker the Lesser Benefic.  They are money planets and also have a much to do with international diplomacy, treaties and negotiations. They can bring about to much of a good thing as well. With Mercury direct, the New Moon under our belt, and Irene trekking into the interior the work week begins with a burst of energy and activity. Projects and plans that have been on hold or that have hit a dead end begin to move forward as new ideas and information change the picture.  The trine between Jupiter and Venus becomes exact in the wee hours on Tuesday morning, August 30^th shortly before Jupiter turns retrograde. The capitalist, bankers, lawyers and diplomats will react. In the afternoon when Moon enters Libra at 2:25 PM EDT the real negotiations will begin. Libra Moon brings a strong desire to socialize as people want to connect with their fellows. This is a good time to form partnerships or to work on a team.  Libra Moon loves balance and harmony so take advantage of this Moon to iron out any differences you may have with friends, loved ones and co-workers. The cooperative energy remains until Moon moves into Scorpio.  Moon in Scorpio pulls in the energy of Scorpio’s rulers Mars and Pluto. People are sensitive and take things very personal.  Feelings get hurt and folks lash out.  It is hard to forgive and forget under Scorpio Moon but it is wise to remember that when Scorpio and Pluto are involved it is best to take the high road.  These deep emotions offer the opportunity to connect on a soul level with those around you. On Friday Sun kicks off the weekend by making nice-nice with Jupiter. Sun is in Virgo and loves the details; Jupiter always sees the big picture. An aspect of ease brings a nice blend of these two opposing ideals. When Moon enters Sagittarius on Saturday, September 3^rd, there’s a general feel of restlessness and the urge is to get up, get out and do something. Folks are warm and friendly so it is a good time for socializing, especially if it involves a sporting event. The Moon, in the waxing phase, offers a great time to begin new projects and with Mercury in direct motion all systems are fired up and ready to go. Take action.