The Solar Eclipse, Donald Trump and the Rest of Us.

Tomorrow’s Solar Eclipse at 8 degrees, 12 minutes of Pisces is a real humdinger. This Eclipse has the warrior Mars conjunct the rebel Uranus with both opposing Jupiter; usually considered benevolent but often bringing too much of a good thing.  This combination squares off with Pluto the destroyer and transformer.  Pluto is the “don’t fuck with me” planet.  You can’t win, he’s inexorable, hangs around for a long time, goes back and forth over the same degrees seemingly forever, he’s there until you get it right or discard it and start anew.

Expect wild swings in the stock market and other financial markets.  Also a surprise, covert military operation.  This has an international flavor with treaties, debt owed the nation and immigration boiling up and overflowing. Strong reactions on all sides confuse the issues.  Monday will start off with a bang. The shock waves will continue throughout the week with Thursday being an especially volatile day.  Saturday Venus begins her retrograde period another factor that will have an impact on the markets. The aspects in the chart of the Eclipse create an anything goes atmosphere.  In addition to the unexpected in the financial and political world the natural world also holds a few surprises.  Uranus in this chart, in combination with Mars, Jupiter and Pluto speaks to explosive events, whether it’s an earthquake, volcano or a shocking headline.

The Putin/Trump/election business will continue to unfold.  And with Jupiter retrograding back to his natal Jupiter he will continue to blow it off as disgruntled Democrats. But Saturn is waiting in the wings.  At present President Trump’s supporters continue to believe and support him despite the obvious and repeated falsehoods.  This summer will be a hot one for him. Some of the allure he holds over folks will begin to unravel.  Cracks will begin to appear in July and August as Saturn hits his Sun and Moon.  By this time next year when Saturn opposes his talker, Mercury, President Trump will be facing some hard truths.

 In the meantime, President Trump will continue to try and control the media. Unlike Russia, where Vladimir Putin has the media in his pocket, here in the United States our Constitution guarantees freedom of the press.  President Trump and his advisors are acutely aware of the power of the media and the importance of controlling the flow of information.  President Trump’s continued battle with the media is an attempt at control.  His speeches and tweets about fake news, dishonest news, failing news are part of his efforts to undermine confidence in the media.  Which isn’t hard to do given that it is corporate media and honest news without a particular slant is hard to find.  But there are some good, honest, hardworking investigative journalists out there and they will continue digging and reporting. 

For the rest of us: Don’t try to rush into things without thinking them through.  Romance may hold disappointments if we are not seeing the other as they really are.  Take off the rose colored glasses and face the reality of the situation.  With Venus retrograding in Aries, love and money can be misplaced.  Mars in Aries wants to rush headlong into whatever strikes the eye, whether it is a love relationship, a money deal or a safari through the Amazon, with no thought to the consequences.  This Eclipse in Pisces nudges us toward the spiritual.  Drop the ego, get beyond the self and get into universal love, caring and giving.  Take the high road.

Full Moon – Hang On or Let Go? - The Pisces/Virgo Dilemma

The Sun’s move into Pisces on Friday sets the stage for the upcoming Full Moon.  This Full Moon on Monday, February 22, 2016 falls across the Pisces/Virgo axis.  At Full Moon the Sun is 180 degrees from the Moon. The keyword is polarity, opposition, the I and the thou.  The Moon in earthy, practical Virgo loves the details, wants to organize and casts a critical eye over any and all proceedings.  The Sun will have no truck with any of that down to earth stuff.  Dreamy and ephemeral Pisces' Sun is more at home in the land of the poet, the symbolic and the intuitive. 

The Full Moon is like a dumbbell, often we do one side or the other.  On one hand the impulse here is to drown in the details, dig into the facts and figures and gather all useful information to assist in navigating life’s ups and downs.  On the other hand is the impulse to let it all go, relying on faith, trust and the inner guide that leads us in the right direction.  The danger here is doing one extreme or the other.  Faith, trust and visions are a necessary part of the human condition. But we live in the real world and there are practical considerations that we must contend with. 

The balance between this Sun and Moon enables us to harness those preposterous dreams and visions and ground them in the real world.  Dream the dream and meditate upon how to manifest that dream in the material world. 

Mercury, ruler of this Full Moon, moves along during the week following the Full Moon.  On Thursday and Friday Mercury connects with Saturn, then Uranus.  Mercury in Aquarius is intellectual with the ability to process and digest information quickly.  In a connection with Saturn Mercury talks about what is.  With the connection with Uranus, the talk is about what could be. 

Waning Moon is the time to assimilate and disseminate.  Sunday, the 28^th  with Moon in penetrating Scorpio and Sun joining Neptune offers the perfect time to meditate and quietly contemplate the who, what and where’s of our lives. Ground and center, then   embrace the mysticism of Pisces.  From those misty waters emerge practical solutions, adjusted viewpoints, and clear intent.  Get clear on what you want to hang on to and what you want to let go.  Does it serve your highest good, your higher self? Are you clinging to the material at the expense of the spiritual?  Are you steeped in mysticism but ignoring the electric bill? The trick here is to maintain the balance.  Give it a try.

Pluto in Capricorn

Here is a little something I blogged about in August of 2009 when Tom Ridge admitted when he was Director of Homeland Security that he was pressured to raise the terrorist alert level every time President George W. Bush’s poll numbers went down during the  2004 election season:

“So now, Pluto in Capricorn is set to change all things Capricorn.  Capricorn represents government, authority figures, big business, and heads of state.  The structure and form of our society, society’s rules as it were, all fall under Capricorn’s purview.  So the real sleazes (not the honest do-gooders) who represent our authority figures in government, media and business are about to be exposed in ways they cannot foresee.”

 While Capricorn rules societal constructs, Pluto is at home in society’s under belly. Pluto represents unconscious forces that bubble to the surface and often take over from the conscious mind. Pluto's purview includes sex, death, debt, interest rates, taxes, transformation and rebirth. Wherever Pluto goes in an individual’s horoscope he brings the wrecking ball with him. In Capricorn he’s going after big government, big business, big debt. Usually Pluto destroys in order to build something new and better.

Right know he stands at 5 degrees 37 minutes of Capricorn. This degree opposes the Jupiter/Venus conjunction in the United States’ horoscope of July 4, 1776. As Jupiter and Venus are the money planets this perfectly reflects the financial crisis we are facing.  Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008 ushering in this global financial crisis with the subprime mortgage disaster triggering other financial calamities worldwide.  Pluto will remain in Capricorn until 2023.  We are in the early, destructive phase of Pluto’s transit through Capricorn.  Some examples of Pluto’s influence can be seen in other events of the past few years. Wikileaks, the Stock Market plunge, the rescue of those institutions that are “to big to fail”, assorted sexual scandals involving influential people, extremes in weather, natural and manmade disasters. Rupert Murdoch and the phone hacking scandal that is threatening his media empire is a good example of what Pluto can do. Murdoch is a Pisces with a Capricorn Ascendant. The Ascendant is a critical point in the horoscope and Pluto has crossed it and now transits Murdoch’s First House.  Over the next few years Pluto will be moving closer to an opposition to Murdoch’s natal Jupiter.  Jupiter rules publishing. Pluto’s energy is slow and inexorable. This current scandal is only the beginning of Mr. Murdoch’s troubles.  In 2013 when Pluto hits that Jupiter his empire will be completely different.  At that time he will have some nice transits from Venus and Jupiter. My money is on Rupert Murdoch reinventing himself and his media conglomerate. 

By the time Pluto exits Capricorn in 2023 the financial system will be quite different as well as governments and authority figures.  Pluto is about power and control so expect some takeovers, rebellions, governmental collapses as people jockey for position in order to grab a piece of the pie for themselves. Things could get ugly.

What Next for Casey Anthony?

The big question on everyone’s mind these days is what is in store for Casey Anthony. Although she was acquitted, her infamy places her under a life sentence. She faces a number of law suits and cries of “murdering baby killer” will follow her where ever she goes. The event chart for the time of her release tells the tale. News reports put her release time at about 12:10 AM on July 17, 2011.  Uranus conjunct the Ascendant opposing Saturn (on the Descendant) and squaring Pluto (on the Midheaven), all on the “angles”, describes the media frenzy, the notoriety, the deep emotions aroused by her release.  Mars in Gemini in trine to the Moon and Saturn speaks to the aggressiveness (Mars) of the public (Moon) and to the fact that although released from prison, she is under severe restrictions (Saturn).  Her Solar Return for 2011 reveals more details. In that chart Jupiter (legal issues) joins Venus, a nice aspect that speaks to victory in the judicial arena. The Moon (Mom and home) opposing the Sun (the core self, the consciousness) reveals the discord between mother and daughter as well as the lack of any feelings of contentment in her domestic environment.  The Moon in Virgo reveals the public scrutiny she will be under. Sun opposing Moon in a Solar Return reflects a year when the inner, emotional nature, the yin of self is not in harmony with the cognizant self, or the yang. She is free at last, but not really free. The big transit to her natal chart IMHO is the dynamic T-Square involving Uranus, Pluto and Saturn all in cardinal signs, impacting her natal Neptune. Casey Anthony is a Pisces and Neptune is her ruling planet. Her Neptune is in Capricorn.  Capricorn is all about form and structure, the material world and reality. Neptune is about dissolving boundaries, dreams, illusions and things not of this world. Pluto has been rolling back and forth over this Neptune since 2010 and at her release was a minute away from precise conjunction.  Pluto destroys and creates. Whenever Pluto enters your life in the form of a transit this process of destruction and creation is inevitable.  Her natal Neptune is in aspect to her natal Jupiter in Pisces and her natal Pluto in Scorpio, so Pluto’s transit to her Neptune pulls in these planets as well.  Her delusional world is subject to the destructive forces of Pluto. Illusion is stripped away and she is stuck with cold reality. Psychotherapy is her best bet as there is a good possibility that someone will enter her life with the power to transform it, for good or ill. There are issues of power and control and the abuse of that power. At the time of Caylee’s disappearance transiting Pluto was in harsh aspect to her Sun.  So Pluto has had a hand in all of this from the beginning. Murder is the ultimate abuse of power.  The truth of this matter may never be revealed. The next couple of years will not be easy for Casey.  She seemingly does not have a friend in the world and due to her notoriety, is not likely to be seen at any local hangouts. With all the debt and lawsuits pending, a book deal is a distinct possibility. Guilty, delusional or just plain stupid Casey Anthony will never again be a private citizen.  We haven’t heard the end of this tale and the ending, I am thinking, will be a shocker.

So The Dog and Pony Show Begins and Shirley Does a Rewrite….

A couple of days ago I wrote about the Presidential race in a little piece about Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachman.  I have since deleted it for the simple reason that I had an incorrect birth date for Michelle Bachman.  I wish I could plead a fuzzy Neptune transit but I can’t. Sloppy keyboarding is my only excuse. So here is a rewrite and an update.

The dog and pony show is of course the US Presidential Race.  The Republicans are jockeying for position while the Democrats are hoping that the bloom is not off the Obama rose.  Republican Michelle Bachman officially kicked off her campaign Monday in Waterloo, Iowa. Michelle Bachman is an Aries. I don’t have a birth time for her but chances are her Moon is in Aquarius. Her ruling planet, Mars, is exalted in Capricorn.  What that means in plain English is, her Mars, the planet of how we use our energy, is in practical Capricorn and operates well there. She uses her energy in a Capricorn manner seeing some physical manifestation of that energy.  The world sees the results.  And make no mistake, Aries likes to be first and they are ever ready to do battle. She is a strong woman and her announcement comes under a waning Taurus Moon. The waning part of this equation gives me pause because traditional lore has it that if you want something to grow you begin when the Moon is waxing. The Taurus Moon, in perfect trine with Mars at the announcement, speaks to longevity and tells us that Michelle will not give up this fight easily. Mitt Romney, the current front runner is a Pisces with retrograde Mercury in Pisces as well as Mars.  The interesting thing about Romney is his Moon/Jupiter conjunction in Scorpio. Wow! A lot of emotion, deep and profound. His Pisces Sun is trine to the Moon/Jupiter conjunction. A trine is an aspect of ease so his emotional, instinctive nature is in tune with all that he is conscious of.  Pisces can sometimes come across as wishy-washy because they can be religious, escapist and not concerned with things of this world. With Moon in Scorpio hugging Jupiter, this guy is no light weight. He may be an altruistic Pisces but that Moon in Scorpio conjunct Jupiter says he is in it for the long haul as well and is not above getting down and dirty to get what he wants.  It is early days yet and there are a number of possible candidates out there. Newt Gingrich, a Gemini has good name recognition but he may be carrying too much baggage. Then there is the lightning rod, Sarah Palin. She’s an Aquarian thus an expert at the unexpected. At this time I am leaning towards her not running but with her track record I wouldn’t rule out a last minute run avoiding the grind and tough questions from the media. All the while remaining in the spotlight with bus tours, speaking engagements and even a new documentary out about her; she’s a clever one that is for sure. It is early days yet and I will be looking at all of the horoscopes of the Republican hopefuls. Stay tuned.

Let’s Look at Lincoln Chafee

When Lincoln Chafee was elected Governor of Rhode Island it was a three way split so it is not like he was elected by a landslide. It was more like a squeaker. A lot of people were upset, they don’t like his politics, and they don’t like his sales tax, beverage tax or any other plan that he might have to balance the budget. This week the General Assembly voted on Chafee’s proposed budget. Chafee had stated that he did not expect it to survive as written. The relevant quote from the article on Projo.com is that Chafee had “wins, losses and some compromises.” The word that jumps out at me is “compromise”. Compromise is Chafee’s middle name. You wouldn’t think so, him being a “me first Aries” but his natal Venus, retrograde in Taurus has a lot of what astrologers call “Essential Dignities” which makes Venus a potent energy operating within his personality. Lincoln Chafee does not come across as an aggressive Aries. He has this super dignified Venus along with retrograde Mercury in Pisces. The world sees that Mercury and that Venus. A softness and less than clear articulation is the signature of Mercury in Pisces. His mode of operation is reflected in that Venus. He is known for reaching across the political aisle, reaching a consensus, looking for a compromise. His formation of a pension committee is a clear expression of this strong Venus. Remember Venus in Taurus is about money and Venus in general rules tact and diplomacy. This year began with Pluto in Capricorn in square aspect to Lincoln Chafee’s natal Sun. This aspect remains in force until the end of the year as Pluto rolls back and forth over his Sun. Now a square aspect creates problems and issues that require action. A battlefield over debt(Pluto), pensions (more Pluto) and budgets perfectly describes this aspect. Lincoln Chafee has his work cut out for him but do not be fooled by that Venus in Taurus, Mercury in Pisces persona. Chafee is an Aries and Aries loves a battle. Jupiter’s entry into Taurus in early June hit his Venus and his Mars. Jupiter brings gifts so I would venture a guess that this budget that has passed in the General Assembly has more of what Chafee wants then meets the eye. His troubles are not over though. His entire tenure as Governor will be a series of battles, upsets and unexpected events. His personal life will not escape either. In November 2011 he will experience his second Saturn Return, a major life cycle event. This is a 29 year cycle. In May of 2012 he will have a Jupiter return, a 12 year cycle. In the midst of all this he will be contending with Uranus conjunct his Aries Sun. That’s another slow moving transit that begins in April of 2011 and ends in February of 2013. Uranus’ cycle is one of 84 years and when the Master of Surprise conjuncts a personal planet get ready for the far out, the unexpected and the unusual. My mantra for Uranus transits is, “if you can think of it, that is not it.” Events occur that are so beyond your personal scope they jolt and jar your very existence. My advice to Lincoln Chafee, should he ask, is to be ready for change and don’t resist it. With Uranus, areas where we have become entrenched in a rut or lifestyle that is not beneficial to us are ripe for disruption. Uranus says, make the change or else I will do it for you. And by doing it for you he means, some event outside yourself will occur that will force the change. The powerful planetary lineup in the sky this summer, Pluto, Uranus and Saturn in a difficult T-Square aspect, reflects the difficulties prevalent in the world today. Pluto is about sex, death, taxes. Uranus speaks to the sudden upset of the status quo while Saturn works to maintain that status. These three energies are at odds with one another. Lincoln Chafee, as Governor, must steer the ship of state that is Rhode Island through that tangle of energies. The average citizen must make their way through the confusing often debilitating morass that life in modern society has become. Change what you can. Deal with what you can’t. Keep the faith and remember to breathe.

Ophiuchus - This is an Old Non-Story

The breaking news story this week was about a
13^th sign and has people wondering what their

sign really is. Relax and rest easy. If you’re a Gemini, you’re a Gemini still. The Zodiac signs as we know them are the constellations that occupy the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the apparent path of the Sun as it moves through the heavens during the course of the year. We know that Earth revolves around the Sun but from our view point it appears to be moving. This apparent movement is what gives us the seasons. Back in antiquity when the Sun moved into Aries, it really was in the constellation Aries. Today due to the precession of the equinoxes that moment places it in the constellation of Pisces. Not to worry, Western Astrologers use a different system of measurement. The point where the Sun reaches the equator, going from South to North is the moment when spring begins, the Spring Equinox. Western Astrologer’s measure the Zodiac from this point; this is zero degrees of Aries. This system is called the Tropical Zodiac and here in the Northern Hemisphere is tied into the seasons. The Tropical Zodiac, measuring from zero Aries, allots 30 degrees to each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac giving us the 360 degree circle of the Zodiac. Ophiuchus is in the news because some astronomer noticed that due to the precession of the equinoxes this constellation is inching its way onto the ecliptic, something it has been doing for millennia. So paranoid Scorpions and fastidious Virgo’s can relax, Ophiuchus is not strong arming its way into the Zodiacal line up. Here's a Link for More Info about Ophiuchus

Last Quarter Moon and Week of November 28, 2010

The Last Quarter Moon occurs on Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 3:36 PM EST with the Moon in Virgo and the Sun in Sagittarius. This is the half and half Moon, half light and half dark. The winding down phase and like all squares it is a time for action. In this waning phase the action is one of assimilation as we process inwardly what this cycle has brought us. We are preparing for the next New Moon when the cycle begins again. At this Last Quarter Moon the planet Mars squares off with Jupiter. Squares make things happen. Mars in Sagittarius, the sign of philosophy, religion and belief systems in a hard aspect with Jupiter in Pisces the sign of spirituality, illusion, high ideals, smoke and mirrors suggests a flare up of differences on the international front. North Korea’s attack on South Korea comes to mind but I am thinking more Middle East, Oil, Christian, Moslem area of world events. Jupiter promises big stuff and he can deliver. As co-ruler of Pisces and ruler of Sagittarius Jupiter has some power here. Mars is the spark. The planet Uranus is in the picture as well. The exact square aspect between Mars and Uranus occurs on Friday, December 3, 2010 at 9:01 AM EDT. Before that happens, Venus, that mysterious lady, leaves the all sweetness and light sign of Libra and enters the dark waters of Scorpio on Monday night. Venus, in addition to ruling love, beauty and the arts, rules money, values, and diplomacy. Scorpio, among other things, is the sign of debt. Venus in Scorpio is not diplomatic; she’s donned her combat boots and is through talking. On Tuesday evening Mercury the planet of communication, business transactions, contracts, and the daily commute moves into Capricorn. Capricorn wants the facts, demands logic and organization. Mercury is only too happy to oblige. The Moon begins the week in Virgo; the details will make us happy while Moon is here. On Tuesday morning Moon enters Libra. This is the people need people Moon. Libra Moon reminds us that we are social beings. On Thursday morning, Moon enters Scorpio and passions run high. The Mars square Uranus becomes exact under this Scorpio Moon. We will have a lot to absorb and assimilate as we prepare for Sunday’s New Moon in Sagittarius when another cycle begins that looks to be quite volatile. Stay tuned.

Full Moon Aries/Libra and the Scorpio Season

Moon goes void of course at 2:49 PM EDT on Sunday, October 17, 2010 until 10:52 PM EDT when Moon enters Pisces.  There is softness about Pisces Moon, a dreaminess, a heightened sensitivity to the ethereal.  Under this Moon we tune into the subtle nuances around us. People are more emotional and tend toward the spiritual. There is a need to escape the harsh realities of life.  The danger here is donning the rose colored glasses, seeing what we want to see, not what really is. Mercury makes an aspect of ease to Neptune on Monday morning. When these two join forces the possibility of illusion, deceit, false rumors and fake news increases.  This aspect is great for imagination and creative work but it is hard to be objective in practical matters. Keep in mind with this aspect often not all the facts are known.   On Tuesday morning the Sun sends loving beams to Neptune.  This aspect can literally be illuminating as sunlight reveals some of the dark secrets Neptune has kept.  The Moon goes void of course on Wednesday morning at 6:25 AM EDT moving into independent Aries at 11:23 AM EDT.  People are fired up under Aries Moon, eager to begin, to start something new or go off exploring.  People are enthusiastic, energetic and impulsive. Many times projects begun under Aries Moon never reach completion. Completing projects requires more than an initiative impulse; follow through and a stick to it attitude is required.  Wednesday is also the day that Mercury enters Scorpio.  Mercury rules the intellect, the thinking process, communication and transportation. The transaction, the buy and sell of business and commerce falls under Mercury’s purview as well.  Scorpio is the sign of finance, banks, debt and co-mingled resources. In world events and markets, Scorpio brings out the power hungry, threat, crisis and the old fear factor.  In this day and age think complicated transactions that end in default.  An individual with Mercury in Scorpio has a mind that is sharp, decisive, likes the mysterious and has an x-ray quality when it comes to digging up the details.  Mars in Scorpio mixes it up with Jupiter in Pisces creating some aggressive competition. Expect some ugliness on the campaign trail and an increase in international tensions.  In the lead up to the Full Moon on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 9:37 PM EDT Mars in Scorpio squares of with Neptune and Mercury connects with Pluto.  This Full Moon falls along the Aries/Libra axis at the 29^th degree.  Soon the Libra mode of accommodation will give way to the intensity of Scorpio when the Sun enters that sign on Saturday morning, October 23, 2010 at 8:35 AM EDT.  There is a lot of planetary action around this Full Moon.  Exposed is the word that comes to mind, on all levels and all fronts.  By weekend we will be in full Scorpio mode with Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars all traveling through Pluto’s territory.  Pagans and Christians alike recognize this time of the year as the time of the dead, when the veil between the two worlds is the thinnest.  Samhain, All Hallows, All Saints and All Souls signal the close of the harvest and the preparation for winter.  Whether you prescribe to the theory that one can talk to the spirits at this time or not, you can expect the Scorpio season to raise fear and suspicion.  Complicated financial transactions will continue to collapse, more scandals will be revealed and politicians, public opinion and public actions increase in intensity.  Scorpio tempts with the allure of power but will bring you down if you don’t take the high road.  That is the key, taking the high road, the more spiritual path.  It is hard to do when the energy is permeated by the sex and death sign of Scorpio. But it is through sex that life is created.  So think about that for awhile. And when the going gets rough, ground, center and meditate.  Remember to breathe.

Expect the Unexpected…….

Moon in Capricorn from Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 4:30 PM EDT until early Saturday morning, September 18, 2010 at 3:35 AM EDT signals a time of structure, organization and a concern for the material aspects of life. Capricorn Moon is not a dreamy, imaginative Moon. This Moon wants to see, feel and touch in order to verify reality. Anxiety over security issues sparks ambitions and sends us off to perform the various chores and duties required to get ahead in this material world. It is best to perform the tasks at hand beneath this Moon, focus on today and not worry about the future. Avoid the pessimistic and remain positive. Moon goes void at 1:35 AM EDT on Saturday morning. Before dawn Moon enters the intellectual air sign of Aquarius. There’s a different feel in the air. Like Capricorn, Aquarius is also ruled by Saturn. Saturn brings structure, form and contraction to the table. Aquarius Moon speaks to concrete ideas, logical arguments delivered in an airy manner. Aquarius’ co-ruler Uranus brings spontaneity and innovation into the equation. Under Aquarius Moon there is a desire to speak our minds and to have the freedom to express our thoughts. This is a great time to make connections and network. On Saturday evening, Jupiter makes a conjunction with Uranus; this is the 2nd in a series of three. The first occurred on June 8th at the Cardinal degree of zero Aries. Since then both planets have retrograded back into Pisces so the second conjunction and the third in January of 2011 will occur in the sign of Pisces. Events and issues that surface at the first conjunction surface again at the second conjunction only to be finally resolved at the third conjunction. When two planets are in the sky together like this their energies combine and intensify. Jupiter is considered the greater benefic, it supposedly brings the good stuff. That stuff can be good or bad, depending on whom Jupiter is running with. For sure, Jupiter brings “lots of.” The general principles of Jupiter include belief systems, the search for life’s meaning, wisdom, growth, success and expansion. An exaggerated, afflicted Jupiter can bring the religious fanatic to the fore, a closed mind rather than an open one. Uranus symbolizes the urge humans have for freedom and individuality. Uranus carries surprise, sudden upheavals, and brilliant flashes of inspiration. Blending these two energies creates an anything goes atmosphere. The house in the horoscope where the conjunction falls is where the action is. Any aspects to natal planets from this conjunction bring further clarity to the issues at hand. On a more Mundane level, world events, the same anything goes attitude prevails. The political world is surely feeling the effects of these conjunctions and we have not heard the last from Mother Nature. We’ll feel the influence of this conjunction from several days before (Primary Elections) to several days after. Next week we have the Autumnal Equinox, when the Sun moves into Libra and shortly after the Full Moon along the Aries/Libra axis. These events kick off the zero Cardinal points that have been active on and off all year so expect the unexpected, be prepared to roll with the punches and above all, keep an open mind.

Labor Day and Beyond – Virgo New Moon – Venus – Jupiter Sign Changes

The emotional level ratchets down a notch when Moon enters Leo Sunday morning, September 5, 2010 at 5:45 AM EDT. Fire sign Leo Moon brings out the drama queen/king in all of us, the emotional need is to be recognized for our unique selves. We need a little romance and affection along with that recognition. You couldn’t ask for a better Moon to celebrate the Labor Day Weekend than a Leo Moon, this Moon encourages plain old fun. So enjoy with no guilt. Moon goes void of course on Tuesday morning, September 7th at 4:17 AM EDT until 5:53 AM EDT making the shift into Virgo in time for the beginning of the work week. Party’s over. Virgo Moon sets the tone and is a perfect time to clear the clutter from your desk and get organized. Order and analysis are the needs of the day. Tasks that require attention to detail do well know. The New Moon occurs on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 6:30 AM EDT. At this New Moon we find Venus poised to transition into Scorpio (at 11:45 AM EDT) and retrograde Jupiter ready to slide back into Pisces. Venus and Jupiter are the money planets so expect a financial shift. Scorpio rules debt, Pisces oil, drugs, fraud and deceit (when you take the low road). Virgo Moon goes void of course Thursday, September 9th at 4:59 AM EDT. Moon enters Libra a few minutes later at 5:01 AM EDT. Libra Moon creates a pleasant atmosphere as harmony is the key word with this Moon. Social gatherings, partnerships of every ilk and tasks that require teamwork do well beneath this Moon. Later in the evening Mars makes an aspect of ease (Trine – 120 degrees) to Neptune. Mars and Neptune in combination can produce some confusion. Motives for action and true goals can be swathed in a murky cloud. Sit tight until Mercury goes direct on Sunday night, September 12th. This week the energy shifts. The feelings, atmosphere and motivations prevalent at the beginning of the week undergo a change, setting the tone for new thoughts, new needs and new actions. The New Moon is the time to plant the seed for what you want to manifest during this cycle. Some find a New Moon meditation or ritual helpful in clearing away the old and clarifying the needs, wants and vision for the future. Whatever your style, be sure to wait until after the New Moon, not one minute, not one second before. A Virgo New Moon speaks to organization, detail, health, and diet. Exercise programs, allergy relief and what part do the emotions play in your ability to clear the clutter and focus on the tasks at hand. The issues related to the house the New Moon falls in are the issues that are highlighted for the Lunar month. In the 10th house, career and public standing, in the 4th house domestic issues, 7th house brings relationships into play. An accurate birth chart will pinpoint for you where the action is. A consultation with an astrologer can alert you to difficult periods, opportune moments, and signal when it is best to punt, pass or pull an end run. This Lunation Cycle triggers the complex Cardinal transits that have dominated 2010 and will continue to dominate for some time. Issues and events in public and private lives will be activated. The next few weeks will shake things up. The use of astrology can help you weather the storms in your life. Forewarned is forearmed.

An Interesting Week - Moon in Aquarius - Pisces

Moon in Aquarius from Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 9:37 PM EDT until Tuesday the 24th at 10:11 AM EDT cultivates a friendly but impersonal atmosphere. We’re concerned about the welfare of others but tend to write a check rather than tote a pot of homemade soup to our neighbor. We flex our independence muscle and feel the need to come and go as we please. Pay attention to the spontaneous and serendipitous, it may be advantageous to go with that flow. On Monday the 23rd sun moves into Virgo. The sun is the source of all energy and the annual solar rhythm affects our energy levels. You may notice at certain times of the year you have more energy than at others. This is due to the transiting sun’s relationship to your natal sun. The sun also acts as a trigger setting off the long term transits of the outer planets. If these long term transits are in range of your natal planets, the sun will turn on the ignition precipitating an event or action. While sun travels through Virgo the spotlight is on health issues, the military, jobs and unemployment. Mercury, ruler of Virgo, remains in retrograde motion until September 12th. Transiting Mercury directs our focus and attention. In retrograde motion, in Virgo, critical analysis and review is your best bet. Tuesday morning, moon enters Pisces and the Full Moon culminates that afternoon. Under Pisces moon we’re dreamy, a bit unfocused and impressionable. The music moves us, the painting speaks to us and the author has us talking to ourselves. It is important to stay with and be with the positive now as we are easily influenced by the energies around us. On Thursday, August 26th the sun trines Pluto, a trine is an aspect of ease. Although considered to be beneficial, a trine between two people can make it easy for an abuser to abuse. In this instance, the sun’s beams kicks off the long term aspects between Pluto, Saturn, Uranus and Jupiter. On a personal level the natal houses and planets involved in this configuration will tell the tale. It will be an interesting week. With Mercury retrograde try to remain flexible as plans may change, hit a snag or the information received is incorrect. Notice your energy level as the sun changes signs and pay attention to your mood as the moon slips from Aquarius to Pisces. You will begin to see how the knowledge of when and where the planetary shifts take place can be a valuable tool when planning your course of action.

So You Survived the Weekend, Well, It Ain't Over Yet!

Well it looks like we survived the weekend with all of the unsettling aspects that went on but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. The symbolism of these slow moving planets, when in rare configurations as they are now, sometimes take months, even years for the true meaning to unfold. Sometimes it hits you right away, like being hit over the head with a baseball bat, sometimes the realization comes in retrospect, “so that’s what that was!” We may not know or reach the realization of what has gone on until the Full Moon of September 23rd or when Mars enters Capricorn in December (the 7th), or around the Lunar Eclipse at the Winter Solstice; all of which spark the early degrees of the Cardinal signs where the slow moving planets are currently transiting. Today, the moon in Virgo goes void of course at 8:04 PM EDT and is void until tomorrow evening, Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 6:42 PM EDT when Old Luna enters Libra. Now there is a lot of Libra energy around now with Venus, at home, in Libra and Saturn, very comfortable, exalted as the astrologer’s say, on Venus’ home turf. Mars is here also, not so comfortable; in “detriment”, opposite the sign he rules. It is like this, Mars is strolling through the drawing room in his combat boots mucking up the carpet. He is not comfortable in these posh, beautiful Libran surroundings. He has no idea what he is doing here. His energy is more suited to the great outdoors, the sports arena or the battlefield. High tea and crumpets ain’t his thing. Venus here wants to make nice-nice, Saturn wants to negotiate a truce and Mars, well, Mars’ job is to take action, make war, or be a pioneer. That drive is stunted in Libra. Now all this Libra action has been receiving input from Jupiter and Uranus, in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn, all in Cardinal signs and in early degrees of those signs. Moon is going to jump into Libra and by Friday morning will have bounced off all of these planets activating all of these complex configurations. Generally moon in Libra encourages sociability and friendliness. There’s a sense of fairness and balance in the air. It is a good time to reach out, settle differences and smooth ruffled feathers. Late Friday evening, Uranus slips back into Pisces. The sudden, unexpected and unusual meets the guru, the oil slick and/or the drug pusher. Libra moon, all sweetness and light may not be able to cover up the darkness that may be revealed. Life goes on so enjoy, go to a party, an art gallery or take in a movie. There ain’t much you can do about it anyway.

The Sordid and Sleazy Tale of Rielle Hunter and John Edwards Continues - You Can't Escape It.

It is interesting to note that Rielle Hunter’s interview in GQ hit the headlines just as the Sun was moving over John Edwards Midheaven, the highest, most public point in a person’s chart. And Monday’s New Moon is at that point as well. So John Edwards and this sordid tale once again saturate the media. Rielle Hunter was born on March 20, 1964, a day when the Sun moved from Pisces to Aries. I have no time of birth for her, so cannot say if she is a Pisces or an Aries. She is a cusp baby, meaning she is at the end of one sign close to the beginning of another. Cusp babies, especially as close to the next sign as Rielle is are a blend of both signs. Under Pisces there may be a bit of not being realistic, under Aries there’s a charge ahead, impulsive piece to her character. I am leaning more towards a morning birth time for her because it would put her Gemini Moon snuggled up to John Edward’s Gemini planets, Sun and Mars. It would explain some of the attraction between them. For the past couple of years John Edwards has been receiving some tough transits from the outer planets. An interesting note is that Rielle Hunter stated in her GQ interview that she told him not to run until April of 2007 because her “intuition and astrology” told her it would be a difficult time for him. The astrology of it is this, Saturn was conjunct, together in the sky, with his natal Pluto and Neptune was in aspect to his Sun, while transiting Pluto was square his natal Mars. Neptune is all about deceit and deception, Saturn brings the chickens home to roost and the Pluto/Mars combination brings powerful forces to bear, i.e. becoming President, a fated affair, a compulsion. Today, transiting Neptune is in aspect to John Edward’s natal Mars and Uranus is square Mars as well. This guy does not know what hit him. Neptune to the Sun like that can give one delusions of grandeur. The Pluto/Saturn/Mars combination that hit him makes him think that he can rule the world, but Pluto and Saturn will bring you down as low as you can go. And that is just what is happening. He cheated on his wife, got another woman pregnant and denied the child was his. She, Rielle, filmed him having sex with her and when she wants to get rid of it, does she destroy it, no. She tosses it in the trash. The Andrew Young’s fish it out of the trash. This is quite a set up. I find it hard to believe that John Edwards would willingly participate in a film that showed him having intimate relations with anyone. He is a low down skunk but he is not that stupid. So what is really going on here? The only people profiting from this sleazy tale are the Young’s and Rielle Hunter. John Edwards is ruined. It smells like a setup to me but who would want to bring John Edwards down? That is the real question and I think the true answer would explode like a mega ton bomb. Perhaps time will reveal the truth of this matter. Until then we can only turn off the TV if it all gets to disgusting.

New Moon in Pisces and the Volatile Week Ahead-Unpredictable and Explosive

Despite the fact that the New Moon takes place in dreamy, sensitive Pisces at 5:01 PM EDT on Monday, March 15, 2010 it will set off and spark an ass-kicking volatile lunation cycle. In the New Moon chart Sun and Moon are together in the sky at 25 degrees of Pisces. Mercury and Uranus are close by at 26 degrees of Pisces. This is a huge concentration of energy. Everything revolves around the Sun. The Sun represents the source of life, the King, the President, the father, our authority figures and our heroes. The Moon represents the mother, the nurturer, our feeling nature, instincts, emotions, women, the population and public opinion. Mercury rules public schools, youth, traffic, transportation, and the media. If Mercury has bad juju, expect to see traffic accidents, teacher’s strikes and the like. Uranus is the great God of the unexpected, the unusual, if you can think of it, that’s not it. The bolt from the blue, the out of left field type of event is Uranus’ joy. In the United States Uranus rules Congress and the House of Representatives. Also in general, Uranus has dominion over electricity, technology, earthquakes, fanaticism, anarchy, airline and train crashes and other fun stuff. At this New Moon they are all close together so their energies blend. Speedy little Mercury, the messenger will take off and first get real personal with Uranus at 5:41 PM EDT. The evening commute should be real interesting. On Wednesday the Sun will join forces with Mr. Unexpected, Uranus. This could mean something unusual, unexpected from our leaders. Here again, if you can think of it, that ain’t it. Then Mercury moves into Aries, very different from Pisces. In Aries, Mercury the talker is apt to talk of war, especially when Mercury makes favorable connections to Mars Wednesday evening, who better to talk war with then the God of War, Mars. Mercury in Aries is going to fire that bad boy up. The Sun joins the party with a strong connection to Uranus. This week is so busy and filled with such energy that anything goes. Thursday morning Mercury, after lighting fires all week, opposes Saturn. Now Saturn likes contraction, structure and in Libra is all about negotiation and the art of the deal. Saturday Mercury squares off with Pluto, talking with the big boys, the power brokers. Then the Sun enters Aries. I think this is going to be an earthshaking, bone rattling week. New Moon in Pisces is about health care that is for sure. But Pisces is all about the martyr, gas and oil, booze and drugs. I’m thinking explosive. But if we take the high road under Pisces influence we’re on our knees praying to the higher power, we’re the Mother Theresa of the neighborhood bringing soup and solace to the unfortunate. If we take the low road we’re in the bar knocking back a few, stumbling home in the wee hours to sleep it off. This week the markets will behave wicked weird. Think inflation and the disappearing dollar. Government leaders, CEO’s the Boss will be off the wall, taking surprise action. Diplomat relations, public or personal will be in the forefront for good or ill. Extending the olive branch while taking a stand is a tricky proposition but that is what we may find ourselves doing. More scandal involving public figures is a sure thing. We the people can only hunker down and ride it out when the volcano erupts.

This Week, March 1, Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Pluto

March starts off with Mercury entering Pisces, joining, Sun, Venus, Jupiter and Uranus. Now that is a lot of Pisces. Now Pisces can be the Samaritan at the well or the junkie on the street corner. Jonah was swallowed by the whale (Pisces) and after a time was coughed up a purified man. Pisces is the last sign of the Zodiac, the end of the line, the end of winter before the burst of new energy that signifies spring. This is a period of high sensitivity, great intuition, and altruistic behavior. Things can also be vague, inconsistent and foster a victim mentality. Pisces brings out our longing for spiritual experiences. Pisces will have no truck with the material values of this world. The Sun here shines the light on all things Pisces. Venus operates well here and encourages the soul mate bond. Jupiter, co-ruler of Pisces, is like a spiritual advisor coming to town. Uranus encourages the freedom to follow one’s own vision. Mercury here promotes intuitive thinking, on the down side, illusion. Those who have a spiritual practice in place, like yoga, do well under the Pisces influence. Those who are overly attached to the material often run into problems with the Piscean ideals. Venus joins forces with Uranus on Wednesday evening, March 3rd. Venus rules love, art, money and diplomacy. Uranus rules the innovative, the unexpected, the freedom fighter and the individualist. When two planets are together in the sky like Uranus and Venus will be they combine their energies generating more power. It will be interesting to watch the world markets, the political scene and the love lives and relationships of the rich and famous and the not so rich and famous. With Uranus along for the ride surprise is on the menu. Startling is the word. On Thursday morning, Mercury connects with Pluto. Mercury bears the message, is the link and the mediator. Pluto is a force to be reckoned with. At this point, Pluto is gathering the information. Next week, more sign (Venus) and direction (Mars) changes by the planets as well as the Last Quarter Moon on Sunday, may signal the time for action. Stay tuned.

OK All You Love Birds, Moon Makes a Nice Aspect to Venus

Tonight, the 24th Moon in Cancer makes a lovely aspect to Venus in Pisces. Venus in Pisces is all about soul mates and mystical connections. Moon operates full bore in Cancer so emotions are on the surface. This is a nice aspect so love birds need to get into the billing and cooing that love birds do.

More Energy Changes - Pisces Rules

Last week I blogged about Mercury and Venus changing signs and the opposition between Mercury and retrograde Mars and what it all means. How we would feel different at the end of the week than we felt at the beginning. Here is a quote from that entry. “In the political world it rules public opinion, treaties, the Secretary of State and the public school system. A few days after entering Aquarius, Mercury and retrograde Mars oppose one another, a combative stance that does not bode well for peace and harmony.” Last week the Superintendent of schools in Central Falls announced that the entire teaching staff at Central Falls High School would be getting the boot. The teacher’s union is up in arms. Mercury ruling the public school system,the young, in Aquarius,speaks to organized groups, unions. Opposing Mars it also speaks to opposing opinions. This week is a Pisces week. On Sunday, February 14, 2010 Sun joins forces with Neptune in Aquarius. Neptune rules Pisces thus bringing the Pisces flavor to the table. This is a perfect aspect for Valentine’s Day. Love in its highest form. Venua is in Pisces, where, in astrological terms, she is exalted, meaning the Venusian energy operates at full force. Venus rules love, money, the arts, negotiation and diplomacy. On Monday Venus makes a positive connection with Pluto in Capricorn. Pluto, in Capricorn from 2008-2023, has the enormous task of purging society of those involved in big government and big business who have profited from the misery of others. Right now the public’s anger is directed at Congress, Washington, DC, Wall Street and the financial industry. Soon this will expand to include Big Pharma, health insurance and Big Oil. This is not an overnight process and will take some time. Venus will join forces with Pluto many time over the course of Pluto’s run through Capricorn. This week, Venus in Pisces offers the olive branch as she takes on the persona of the diplomat. Tuesday she joins forces with Jupiter also in Pisces, the sign that Jupiter rules. So you see, the Pisces energy is super strong. Jupiter is optimistic, confident and hopeful. Pisces is about our wishes and hopes. How we want things to be ideally. There is danger with Pisces in seeing things through rose-colored glasses. Seeing things how we want them to be, not how they really are. This is the time when we need to do a reality check. As Venus moves along touching base with the big boys she greases the wheels of negotiations and diplomatic relations. Mars, the warrior, the planet of action makes a friendly aspect to Saturn on Monday mixing things up. Saturn is in Libra and is also exalted here. Saturn principles operate well here. Saturn in Libra is the chief negotiator. Retrograde Mars in Leo wants to stir things up. Here Mars is all about strategy. In the political debates and union negotiations the name of the game this week is how to position oneself. On Thursday, Sun enters Pisces completing the Pisces takeover of the week. Watch the news reports and you will see that events reflect the Piscean ideals. Keep your eye on your own feelings and situation and how the Pisces influence impacts you personally.
We need those intangibles that feed the soul now. Take heed.

Mercury and Venus change signs and the energy shifts.

This week the energy shifts, on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Mercury moves into Aquarius and on Thursday, February 11, 2010 Venus enters Pisces. Mercury rules how we think, our immediate environment, transportation and communication of all kinds. In the political world it rules public opinion, treaties, the Secretary of State and the public school system. A few days after entering Aquarius, Mercury and retrograde Mars oppose one another, a combative stance that does not bode well for peace and harmony. Traffic accidents and tie ups, heated debates that verge on physical violence and difficulties in diplomatic relationships. Mercury in Aquarius fosters original thinking and ideas, innovative and unique solutions and a certain rebellious attitude against the status quo. President Barack Obama will have something to say, he will reach out and try to mend fences. Debt, finances and financial reform and the salvaging of the healthcare reform bill will be the subject of his speeches and focal point of his meetings. Venus’ move into Pisces extends the olive branch and furthers the cause of peace and reconciliation. Venus is the diplomat, comfortable and operating at full force in Pisces she settles things, brings people together in an altruistic manner. Venus here operates from the highest spiritual motivations. Mercury rules the young, Venus rules young women, and Mars rules young men, so the youth movement may begin to find their voice. In our personal lives the shift of these planets, from one sign to another, effects how we think (Mercury) and how we relate (Venus). Mercury in Aquarius wants to get together with a group of friends and bat ideas around. Venus in Pisces wants to merge with another on a spiritual level. We’re drawn to music, arts and humanitarian causes. Make a note of how you feel at the beginning of the week and compare it with how you feel by the end of the week. You’ll get the picture.

John J. Loughlin, Patrick Kennedy, Jon Brien, and the 2010 Election

Republican John J. Loughlin II, a Pisces, formally launched his campaign for Patrick Kennedy’s seat in Congress. According to the Providence Journal he did so Thursday morning, “outside the office park where his Lincoln grade school used to be.” What significance the location has is anyone’s guess. Loughlin is pro-life and thinks we should maintain the ridiculous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. His announcement was made under a waning, void of course Moon. Presidential candidates Al Gore and John Kerry received their nominations while Moon was void of course, as did Thomas Dewey, Richard Nixon (1960), Goldwater and McGovern. Nixon was re-elected under a Moon void of course. Couple the void Moon with a waning Moon, which is a great time to make things disappear, things don’t look too bright for Mr. Loughlin. Not that someone is not going to give Cancer Patrick Kennedy a run for his money given the current anti-incumbent sentiment. There is talk of, Scorpio, Democratic State Representative Jon D. Brien of Woonsocket entering the ring. Primary day is an interesting day and where all the action will be. In the days leading up to the primary, Mercury is in retrograde motion, changing to direct on the Sunday before the primary election. We need to be aware that information and polls are not always accurate under retrograde Mercury. Mercury retrograde is master of the fake out. On the day of the primary, Pluto changes direction and Mars moves into his home sign of Scorpio. Patrick Kennedy experiences a Mars return, a two year or so cycle, around that time as well. He will be fighting and aggressive. Brien, if he chooses to run, has some favorable aspects on his side. He too will be experiencing a Mars return around that time. (Funny that, the opposing parties have the same Mars in Libra, and that Mars is jazzed up and ready to roll, combat time.) On primary day, Moon, the people, will be rolling over Brien’s Sagittarius Mercury, the vote. It could give him a bit of a bump up. So it should be interesting. I will be keeping my ear pinned to the ground to make note of any official announcements and for birth times of Loughlin and Brien.