March Madness

Due to the planetary line up during March which includes the 7^th and final square between Uranus and Pluto some of my posts may seem to be filled with doom and gloom.  There very well may be some ugly events taking place during this month but the Uranus Pluto combination does bring about change and some of that change is not a bad thing.

During their last square in the early 1930’s the Great Depression was raging and many suffered financial hardship.  But at the same time Roosevelt established the SEC to watch dog Wall Street as well as Social Security to insure the welfare of the elderly.  Not a bad thing although there was a lot of objection to these measures from a lot of quarters.  It was not an easy time.

Another tumultuous decade, the 1960’s found Uranus and Pluto together in the sky in what is called a conjunction.  There were three exact conjunctions over the course of that decade.  Then we were involved in an unpopular war, the civil rights movement exposed rampant, systemic injustice and Lyndon Johnson in addition to signing Civil Rights legislation established Medicare.  All of these created dissension, protest, and tension between various segments of society.

While these actions occurred during periods of great volatility, tension and anxiety they resulted in positive outcomes that improved society.

The current ongoing square between Uranus and Pluto has brought similar emotions and anxiety to the surface as the current situation carries echoes of those past periods when they were closely connected.

Uranus is most definitely about change, whether you are ready for it or not.  Pluto speaks to death, rebirth and transformation. Often with Pluto it is deep rooted and pre-verbal, you can’t articulate what is really going on.

Since around 2008 when Uranus and Pluto moved into close range many have experienced life changing events.  But this is not always a bad thing.  The birth of a child, certainly a life changing event but one that brings great joy.  A new job that takes you half way across the country, disrupting maybe but ultimately a good outcome. 

Uranus brings change.  We are creatures of habit and sometimes our habits become crystalized and we find ourselves in rigid ruts.  When Uranus comes along he says you need to make some changes here.  If you don’t an event occurs that forces you to make that change.  Sometimes you lose your job, divorce, have to move because the landlord sells the property.  All painful and disruptive but they are events that force you to take some kind of action. That first step leads to another, then another and when the dust settles you find yourself in a better place.

Keep in mind the thing about Uranus when he comes along is if you can think of it, that’s not it because Uranus brings the bolt out of the blue, the unexpected,  weird event that changes it all.

Pluto brings deep emotional change, primal urges, and often fated connections.  Issues of power and control surface when Pluto comes along. Pluto can raise up the lowly and bring down the mighty. We’ve already seen a few of our icons brought low and there will probably be more.  We probably won’t recognize those that rise until we gain some historical perspective.

During this disruptive time it pays to be ready to roll with the punches.  Some events we will have no control over, we can only control our own actions. Powerful energies and emotions surface during these times so it is important to find your still center and stay grounded.  Take the high road, it’s the only way to go.

 

Full Moon Fallout

There’s a lot of action going on around this Full Moon as the energy culminates. In the lead up to the Full Moon Venus the planet of love, money and diplomacy has been making the rounds connecting with the big boys, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto.  This combination encompasses diplomacy, foreigners, power and control.  The headlines reflect this as a foreign Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses Congress with the warning that agreements with Iran are dangerous and those talks in question resuming the very next day.  There’s a bid for power going on here, internally as well as internationally.  What about the power struggles in your own personal relationships? Has Venus done her job? It is for sure that with Uranus and Pluto involved anything goes.

If relationships are rocky as the Moon sails into Libra on Friday evening, March 6^th, the energy become more congenial as Libra Moon favors all kinds of relationships.  Folks want to get along under this Moon, to connect and socialize.  With Moon here over the weekend it is a great time for parties, a get together or a simple conversation to clear the air. That’s the thing about relationships, when the parties involved get over emotional they often forget that a simple conversation can chill things out and move the relationship along. When you do this, I feel that. Simple.

If Venus has gifted you with smooth sailing don’t become complacent as Mars takes the reins as the Moon begins to wane moving into the Last Quarter phase on March 13^th

On Tuesday the 10^th with Moon in intensely emotional Scorpio Mars makes a sweet aspect to Jupiter.  They are both in fire signs, Aries and Leo respectively and while Mars lights the fire Jupiter ensures that it becomes a conflagration.  Mars in Aries is the master at confrontation. The next day, Wednesday, he joins forces with anything goes Uranus and the powerful transformer Pluto. War, strife, the unusual coupled with the desire to be free and unfettered create a volatile mixture.  Explosive is a keyword here. 

That evening the Moon moves into fiery Sagittarius bringing a desire for movement and a change of scenery.  Sagittarius Moon can bring an open mind or the opposite, a proselytizing, closed minded fanatic. Generally folks are warm, friendly and enthusiastic under this Moon and are curious to see how the other guy lives.

As we get closer to the Last Quarter on Friday Mercury enters Pisces and throws logic out the window.  Mercury in Pisces learns by osmosis. While you are sure that you see the truth in a situation often Mercury in Pisces places the rose colored glasses on your reasoning abilities. Good for meditation and inward contemplation.  Listen to music, watch a beautiful sunset or engage in activities that connect you to your own spirituality. You can go to church and light a candle, say a prayer or sit on a park bench and enjoy the beauty around you.  With Mercury in Pisces you see it or sense it all around you.

The Last Quarter Moon brings a lot of action leading up to it and following it. If you have learned anything from the last New Moon to the Full Moon now is the time to share that learning and spread the information around.  Moon in Sagittarius at this Last Quarter favors the teacher. We all have knowledge this is the time to spread that knowledge.

On Saturday the 14^th of March Moon moves into practical Capricorn.  People what some respect for their talents, for a job well done and for the efforts they apply to their responsibilities.  This Moon is a good time to tackle the tasks at hand.  It’s a double Capricorn day as the ruler of this Moon, Saturn changes direction in Sagittarius going retrograde until August. Saturn is the planet of limitation as well as manifestation.  Saturn is all about the real world, the material world and what we have to do in order to survive in this world. He’s not a fun guy but he will reward you when you take care of business in a timely manner. Saturn says, “You don’t get brownie points for doing what you are supposed to do.”  But in the long run, heading out to the job every day, paying the mortgage and living a healthy lifestyle brings the rewards that you have earned. So this is a good weekend to take of those tasks that are necessary to keep life running smoothly.

On Monday the 16^th Mercury in Pisces squares off with Saturn in Sagittarius.  Mercury in Pisces is the dreamer and visionary.  Saturn deals with cold reality.  A square is an aspect of agitation and irritation.  This aspect can push the dreamer into manifesting the dream into reality.  A good time to write down those ideas, make plans to implement the dream or to take some action in the real world that moves your dream along.

The big aspect of the day, the month or the year even occurs on this day as well Uranus and Pluto make their 7^th and final square aspect on Monday night.  The first of the 7 occurred on June 24, 2012.  On this date the square became exact but Uranus and Pluto had been in range for many years. This is a 126 year cycle and this current aspect ushered in the financial crisis and the major unrest felt around the world.  Although this is the last in this series they will be in range for another year or so.  We are not out of the woods yet.  When these two get together they bring about broad societal changes.  In the early 1930’s they were in the closing square aspect.  In the mid 1960’s they were in conjunction. Both these periods ushered in major changes. 

For some folks this series of squares has ushered in major life changes of a very personal nature while others have experienced changes due to the business, political or social climate.  No matter how you look at it, it is all personal.  The Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn have felt these aspects strongly while the rest of us have felt it on some level or another.  Stress and tension ushers in change and while the change may be needed and result in a positive outcome it can be a difficult adjustment.

During this week before the next New Moon the Moon is in the Balsamic phase.  This is the Crone’s Moon. She reminds us that change is constant.  This time as the Moon slowly disappears from the sky is the time to dream, to let go of the old and be ready to prepare for the new at the next New Moon.  Meditate and let your ideas incubate.  Be patient and take the time to assimilate what you have learned and be ready to take your next steps after the New Moon of the 20^th.

New Moon, Black Moon Super Moon, What’s All the Fuss About?

This New Moon is called the Black Moon because it is the third New Moon of the winter season. It is called a Super Moon because a few hours after the New Moon the Moon reaches its closest point to the Earth.  So the Lunar energy is stronger thus high tides run higher as do emotions.

This New Moon is unique for another reason as well.  It occurs at 29 degrees, 59 minutes of Aquarius, and a mere minute later the Moon enters Pisces with the Sun following 2 minutes after that.  The 29^th degree of any sign is a critical degree.  29 is the end so this period will be about endings which is not all that bad because you can’t start something new unless you finish the old. 

This lunation cycle is one of transition.  The day after the New Moon on Thursday, February 19, 2015, Mars the planet of action and energy enters Aries.  Mars rules Aries, he functions well here.  Venus follows him into Aries on the following day.  Venus does not function well here.  Venus is yin while Aries is yang.  Venus attracts, Aries acts.   A little after midnight on Sunday morning the 22^nd Venus and Mars get together.  This can be hot little love affair time.  Mars in Aries sizzles bringing Venus to the table, or to the bedroom, and passions peak. 

By the First Quarter Moon on the 25^th both Venus and Mars have connected to Saturn.  It’s reality time and the weekend affair that was so hot and sizzling may fizzle.  But while Saturn can throw a wet blanket on any situation in affairs of the heart he can signal commitment.  With both Venus and Mars in impulsive Aries it is best to wait before making that commitment. Venus enters her home sign of sensuous Taurus on March 17^th, best wait until then to see if the fires still burn as hot.

On Sunday, March 1^st Mercury in Aquarius connects with Uranus and Jupiter.  Mercury rules news, information, transportation and youth.  Uranus is the original rebel who loves to shake up the status quo.   Jupiter is the big old jovial Uncle who can be a benevolent influence but be wary.  Jupiter can bring an overabundance of whatever he’s involved in. 

These Mercury connections set the stage for the lead up to the Full Moon on the 5^th.  On Tuesday, the 3^rd, Jupiter mixes it up with Uranus. On Wednesday Venus bounces off Jupiter, then Uranus and by nighttime she’s squaring off with Pluto.  

The Jupiter Uranus connection holds the promise of something big. Jupiter brings an international flavor, finances, religion, and can sometime signal border disputes.  If your neighbor has shoveled out a parking spot, don’t park there.  Uranus when under stress can signal lightning storms, high winds, and other violent natural events.  Airplane and train mishaps, demonstrations, technological breakthroughs and snafus. Although he’s not under stress now, he will be, read on.

In the week after the Full Moon, Saturn turns retrograde.  Any time a planet changes direction the principles of that planet are emphasized. Saturn is reality and the area of the horoscope that Saturn is visiting is the area where one is usually between a rock and a hard place. Saturn transits force one to take care of business.  The real bugger is Mars as he makes the rounds touching base with Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto.  This is not a pretty sight. Now Uranus is under stress.   Mars’ connection with Uranus and Pluto fires up the already tense square between Uranus and Pluto. The final square, of seven since June 2012, between Uranus and Pluto takes place on Monday, March 16^th.

There will be storms aplenty whether literal or figurative. Some folks might reach for power that is not truly theirs.  Others may try to free themselves of constraints they can no longer tolerate.  March will be a volatile, convulsive, disruptive time. Violence in many forms is all around.  Financial markets react to world events just as violently.

No matter what happens, Pluto is about deep rooted stuff.  It is important to look beneath the surface to find out what is really going on.   A Pluto transit to a natal house or planet digs deep into what that house or planet represents.  When Pluto plunges deep into the subconscious often the issues can’t be intellectualized at first.  There’s a feeling or a compulsion to do or to act or to change. 

Uranus is all about change.  When habits have become rigid and no longer serve the higher good Uranus comes along to break up those crystalized, inflexible lifestyle routines. Uranus is the bolt out of the blue, the shock and awe guy.  But that bolt generally sets off a process that results in a much better situation further on down the line.  Sometimes it is hard to see the light at the end of that tunnel.  But keep trudging, it’s there.    

Spring Equinox

Spring arrived on March 20^th at 7:02 AM EDT.  Astrologer’s cast a horoscope for the Sun’s entry into Aries and study it in an effort to determine what the season may bring. This season promises to be a volatile and explosive one.  The planetary configuration present at the moment of the Equinox contains stressful aspects between planets.  Mars and Uranus, together in the sky are positioned 90 degrees from the Moon in one direction and Pluto in the other.  This in astrological jargon is called a t-square because it looks like a T. 

The Moon at the Equinox is strong by sign (in Cancer) and house (4^th for the horoscope erected for Washington, DC).  The Moon owns that sign and house so everything Luna has extra oomph. The Moon is all about emotion, feelings and gut reactions.  In Mundane astrology, the astrology of world events, the Moon signifies the population as a whole and has dominion over public opinion.  It symbolizes women, the water supply, common needs and agriculture. In difficult aspect it can indicate racial discord, unrest among the people and less than optimal agricultural conditions.  The fourth house where it is posited denotes real estate, land values, mines and quarries as well as natural disasters like earthquakes and floods. 

The Mars/Uranus combination is the most volatile one in the chart. Mars rules all who dispute or fight, the armed forces and arms manufacturing as well as meat production and the iron and steel industry.  In bad aspect Mars can bring volcanic activity, fires, explosions and other forms of violence.  What Mars starts Uranus finishes.  On the bright side Uranus rules new technology and inventions.  On the down side Uranus loves to stir things up with riots, strikes, earthquakes and other violent upheavals of nature.  This is a crash and burn combo for sure.

On the other end we have Pluto another fun guy.  The rosy optimistic view of Pluto is that he destroys in order to build something new and better.  While this is true it is difficult to see or imagine the rosy future when you are standing in the rubble of your life.  Great sociological movements occur under Pluto’s influence.  In bad aspect, like now, natural disasters, oil spills and mayhem natural or manmade are in the realm of possibilities.

The Moon is the fast mover and often acts as a trigger, as does Mars. Mars makes a circuit of the Zodiac in approximately two years and can act as a trigger as well. Two years ago Mars formed a conjunction with Uranus in Aries and we had the Arab Spring. Friday, March 22, 2013 Mars in Aries will once again be in exact conjunction with Uranus. This could be the trigger. Moon will also be in Leo on Friday touching off Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. 

 The lead up to the Full Moon on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 has Mars connecting with Jupiter and then squaring off in a combative stance with Pluto.  The headlines and talking heads will reflect these powerful alignments.  Shocking and unexpected events will pepper our spring time season. Drought conditions will continue to effect food and water supplies.  From all sides of the political spectrum folks will continue to register their discontent.  We can expect more of “Arab Spring” types of events from around the world a reflection of the long term transit connection between Uranus and Pluto which little guys like Mars touch off every now and then. 

In personal lives old wounds that never properly healed are reopened. Painful but necessary as a proper mourning and/or healing period can occur.  Don’t despair, there is light at the end of the tunnel and no, it’s not a freight train bearing down on you.

The Planets Stir It Up This Week

We begin this week in the Balsamic phase of the Luna cycle. The night sky is darkening as the Moon shrinks as it moves closer to the Sun to begin the next New Moon phase.

The Balsamic phase is a good time to give your brain a rest. Logic doesn’t work so well during these dark nights.  Dream, meditate and banish what is no longer useful in your life. Clean out your closets and through away or recycle the outworn.  Cut your hair if you don’t want it to grow fast, likewise weed your garden. Weed your life as well. Don’t begin anything new until the New Moon on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 11:54 AM EDT.

Before we make it to the New Moon there are some volatile and interesting planetary configurations this week.  On Wednesday morning Venus, ruler of love and money, opposes Pluto, ruler of power, control and debt. About an hour later, Mars, the action planet, the warrior and athlete joins up with Saturn the Lord of Time, the ruler of the structure and form of society. Mars wants to act; Saturn wants to contain that action. This can be a time of wise use of energy and favors tasks and projects that require controlled, systematic action.  Early the following morning Venus squares off with capricious Uranus.  Venus is the trigger gal setting off the unstable, unpredictable and at times dangerous Uranus/Pluto square. Anything goes.

These aspects are still in force at the New Moon which occurs at 25 degrees of Leo. Mercury another little trigger is moving into an aspect of ease with Uranus.  

With all of these planets involved in some complex configurations the energy is charged and change is in the air. Expect disruption in the daily routine and people acting and reacting in unexpected ways.  The Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will be rocking and rolling with the punches but the rest of the Zodiac will not be let off the hook. Where these configurations fall in your horoscope will tell the tale.

The New Moon is in Leo at 25 degrees. Leo is a fixed sign and a New Moon here speaks to the other fixed signs, Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius, sometimes the talk is not so gentle. 

This week the Moon moves from Cancer, on Monday, a cardinal, water sign that brings emotion to the fore.  People are sensitive and usually speak from the gut.  On Wednesday Moon moves into Leo, here folks like to be appreciated for what they accomplish and do and for who they are.  After the New Moon on Friday night Moon moves into Virgo. Now is the time for intellectual pursuits. People have a need for order and tend to get in the organizing mode.

Try to remain centered as the energy moves and shifts around you.  Deal with issues that arise and be aware of the things you can change and those things that you have no control over.  Sometimes we have to accept what is. We can change ourselves but we cannot change others. Venus on the prowl this week brings the relationship and money issues to the front burner.  If these issues have been simmering on the back burner they will bubble up and boil over now. Remember to breathe.

Look Up! The Moon is Full

Look up this Wednesday night and see that big old Moon beaming down at you. This is a fixed Full Moon falling along the Leo/Aquarius axis. Full Moons bring to fruition what was planted at the New Moon, the beginning of the cycle.  The horrendous events in Aurora, CO. kicked off this New Moon. Now as the Full Moon perfects the alleged perpetrator is being charged with 24 counts of murder.

The Full Moon chart has Jupiter in Gemini sextile the Sun in Leo and trine the Moon in Aquarius.  Jupiter in Gemini for the next year brings big news, reporting that is over the top. In personal lives Jupiter in Gemini can bring to much information about siblings, neighbors and folks in general.  A sextile between Jupiter and the Sun is a beneficial connection. People with lots of sextiles in their horoscope often have a network of helpful friends and colleagues. Jupiter in trine to the Moon is a sure guarantee that something big is going to grab the attention of the public. There’s a lot going on in the world today, the Olympics, Syria, the US Presidential election, the global financial crisis, any one of these could grab the headlines.

Venus in Gemini makes a pleasing trine to Saturn in Libra.  Venus is about love and money. Saturn is about the structures we build in our lives. Often a Venus/Saturn connection between the charts of two people signals a long term relationship that leads to that old institution, marriage.  Institutions belong to Saturn while relationships belong to Venus. If marriage is not in the picture, a transit like this often moves a relationship from casual to more committed one such as a contract employee becoming a permanent hire.

At this Full Moon the influence of the Uranus/Pluto square continues to weigh in as it will through March 2015 and beyond.  This 126 year cycle brings about huge societal changes. The waning square occurred in the early 1930’s the deepest part of the Great Depression.  The conjunction of the two occurred during the turbulent 1960’s. Both eras brought big change and those changes did not come easy. Now we are experiencing global financial stress, political divisions that seem impossible to bridge and a society that is divided and on one hand confused and on the other hand well informed.  One thing for sure is that change is coming.

Mercury continues in retrograde motion in the Full Moon chart so be wary of false information, don’t make snap judgments, reconfirm all reservations and read the fine print before signing anything. Mercury goes direct on August 8^th.  After the change in direction new information surfaces, clarity emerges and we are better able to make decisions. During the retrograde period it is best to revise and review.  Clean out your closets and reevaluate what is important to you and what is not.

It is important during this period to be ready to roll with the punches.  Work on what you can control and deal with what you can’t control. The trick is to recognize and accept the things that are out of your control.  That’s the tough one!

New Moon in Cancer - A Bit Chaotic

The July 19^th New Moon in Cancer kicked off a cycle that is bound to be quirky and full of surprises. Moon rules this cycle for sure, in Cancer, in the fourth house, the sign and position where the lunar energies are most strong and function at the optimal level. Folks will be leading with their emotions. Saturn in Libra, square the lunation point offers a bit of temperance but he may very well be out gunned by the strength of the Moon.   Mars in Libra opposing Uranus in Aries receives a boost from friendly Jupiter in Gemini. This combination speaks to impulsive actions, gut reactions and the ignoring of that old adage, “look before you leap”.  In the big wide world, high stakes games are being played.  Be prepared for some crazy rhetoric and irrational thinking.  A lot of drama and conflict with some “good stuff” in between. 

This lunation cycle with Moon in Cancer brings up stuff from the past. If these issues have not been resolved previously, this resurfacing brings the opportunity to settle the matter once and for all.  The energies prevalent now call for change; the important thing to remember is not to change simply for the sake of change.  Think it through, examine all the possible outcomes, and dig deep within yourself to insure that the changes being made are what you truly want.

Of course, with the current planetary configuration in play of Mars opposite Uranus and both squaring Pluto, change may be unavoidable and will come from outside events over which the individual has no control.  As the First Quarter Moon approaches news and shocking events trigger strong emotional response. Be aware that information may be distorted, exaggerated and possibly not true at all. This cycle of misinformation carries through the Full Moon period.  At the Last Quarter we are able to sort the truth from the lies and begin the process of assimilation and dissemination of what we have gained during this cycle.

During these changing and chaotic times it is essential to plant feet firmly on the ground and to keep head, heart and emotions clear and free of clutter. Some things cannot be changed and have to be dealt with. Other things can be changed.  The real trick is in recognizing what can be changed and what can’t. In relationships we often beat our heads against a stone wall for a long time before we realize that this particular significant other is not going to change. Either we accept that or we don’t. If we don’t it is the “I” not the “thou” that has to make the change. Change can be difficult as well as liberating.

The Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn receive the energies most strongly and obviously. The Mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces catch these configurations on a more subtle level. They get a sense of something but are not sure or clear on what it is.  The Fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius make connections and receive information that requires review.

Regular meditation and times of quiet contemplation provide a respite from chaos and can bring clarity to the jumble of thoughts and emotions that the current planetary configurations bring.  Remember to breathe.

A June to Remember – Complex Configurations and Some Tips on What to Look For In An Astrologer

This week brings the New Moon and the Summer Solstice. New Moons and Solstice/Equinox points are always important and these two are no exception. They are even more important due to other planetary configurations that are unfolding from now until the end of June. Events that take place now will have far reaching effects that we might not be aware of now. Obviously the elections in Greece and Egypt will certainly play an important role in the financial and political arenas effecting the lives of many around the world.

In addition to the New Moon and Summer Solstice on Sunday, June 24, 2012 the first of seven squares between Uranus and Pluto takes place. These planets were conjunct in the 1960’s. Prior to that, their last (closing) square occurred in the early 1930’s. Political and social unrest and upheaval accompany these two planets when they are in hard aspect. Broad social movements result. The financial calamity the world is in today is not quite as disastrous as the 1930’s because of the social programs put into effect at that time. Here in the United States particularly Social Security and unemployment insurance provide a safety net protecting many from total deprivation. During the 1960’s there was the Vietnam War, the beginning of Medicare, the youth movement, civil rights movement and the women’s movement; all serving to shake up the status quo. Echoes of those times when Uranus and Pluto were in aspect reverberate today as they again meet.

On Monday, June 25, 2012 Saturn in Libra changes direction shifting into direct motion, Mercury moves into Leo and Jupiter forms a square aspect to Neptune. On Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Venus changes direction as well, turning direct in busy Gemini. So this is the set up we’re moving into and these planets represent the energies we have to live with and live through in the months and years to come. The outer planets, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto move slow and the change they bring on a societal as well as a personal level is slow and inexorable.

The Square between Uranus and Pluto that repeats seven times from now until March 16, 2015 involves the Sun, Jupiter and Venus in the July 4, 1776 horoscope of the United States. The Sun represents the head of state while Jupiter and Venus are the money planets. The economy is a big issue in this election and will continue to be until this aspect plays out and even beyond.  The Venus direction change hits the Uranus in the US horoscope. A money surprise is in order. Venus rules money, women and diplomacy. Uranus rules things you cannot conceive of. When Uranian events occur they are seemingly out of the blue and shake us out of our complacency.  The Mars in the Summer Solstice sits on the Neptune of the US horoscope and squares the US Mars. Mars rules aggressiveness and war. Neptune in a natal chart is where we see things through rose colored glasses. My guess is the people of the United States are going to be sold another bill of goods about making war somewhere in the world, Iran comes to mind.

This warmongering Mars sits on President Barack Obama’s natal Mars. Mars goes retrograde about every 2 years and this year in January it went retrograde at 23 Virgo, right on Obama’s natal Mars and at this Solstice it reaches that point again. Warrior Mars in a natal chart is the action planet and governs how you use your energy.  Obama with Mars in Virgo is a detail man. He’s very meticulous in appearance, and probably in his thought process and how he tackles issues and problems. With Mars reaching his Mars my guess is that he will come out swinging on the campaign trail and in his dealings with Congress. The gloves are coming off folks. This week he’ll be taking a combative stance.

The celestial set up over the next few weeks is a complex one and defies generalization. On a personal level where in the chart, the houses the planets are transiting and the natal planets they aspect tell the tale. Mars traveling through the houses of the horoscope reveals where your energy focus will be. Mars traveling through the fourth house of home is a great time to do spring cleaning regardless of the season as a person with this placement puts the energy focus on the home. Jupiter is another good yearly planner as it stays in a sign for one year.  Jupiter is considered a bringer of good things but can also bring too much of a good thing. Saturn remains in sign for two and a half years and makes a complete circuit of the chart in about 29 years so you know when he comes along often life changing events occur. Uranus with an 84 year cycle entered Aries in April of 2011 and will remain there until March of 2019. When Uranus hits a natal planet he wants to shake things up. One thing Uranus hates is when he finds an individual in a rigid rut. My advice to clients when receiving this transit is usually to make a change in the area affected, be proactive. If not an outside event of a disruptive, surprising nature occurs that forces a change and while upsetting these changes often turn out to be beneficial in the long run. Neptune has a cycle of 165 years while Pluto takes a whopping 248 years. Analyzing a natal horoscope along with the current transits to that horoscope in a comprehensive manner is a complex and multifaceted project that takes time and effort. The actual time spent with the client is the culmination of hours of examination and study.

The next couple of years will be a rocky road for a lot of people. Many will feel the need to consult with a professional and some of those professionals will no doubt be professional astrologers. If you are one of those people do not be afraid to ask the astrologer some questions before you engage their services. Ask them how long they have been studying the subject, who they studied with and what, if any, professional organizations they belong to. A person is not an astrologer who read a book about astrology.  Nor are they an astrologer if they had their chart done and learned about themselves. A competent astrologer has probably read a thousand books and analyzed tens of thousands of horoscopes. A good astrologer belongs to one or more professional astrology organizations, has taken classes, gone to conferences and is continually learning and studying.

I have been studying astrology since the late 1960’s. I learned by reading books, examining horoscopes, taking classes and going to conferences.  In the 1990’s I was certified after taking an examination with the National Council on Geocosmic Research (NCGR) and began seeing clients professionally. I still go to conferences and monthly NCGR meetings to hear lectures by other astrologers. The learning process is continuous. I see clients and write an astrology column “Lunar Notes” for Motif Magazine. If you call me, don’t be afraid to ask me questions before you engage my services. I am not clairvoyant and will not wave a magic wand to make things right. I will ask you questions, get your birth data, analyze your horoscope and do the best for you that I possibly can to guide and prepare you for your personal planetary cycle.

New Moon Start Anew And Other Delights

New Moons signal the beginning of a new cycle. This New Moon, in Aquarius, on January 23, 2012 holds some noteworthy patterns and points of interest that will hold sway far longer than the typical lunation cycle.  Mars in Virgo, stations in preparation for a 3 month retrograde period a few hours after the New Moon perfects. The New Moon, the conjunction of the Sun and Moon, is involved in a dynamic pattern with Saturn and Jupiter called a T-Square.  Saturn and Jupiter oppose (180 degrees) one another and the New Moon squares (90 degrees) them both. Saturn and Neptune are in a trine aspect (120 degrees) from Libra to Aquarius and they both are in the critical 29^th degree of their respective signs. Tying it all up is the developing waxing square between Uranus and Pluto. The seeds planted at this New Moon will continue to bear fruit well beyond this lunation.

Mars goes retrograde about every two years. The last time was from December 2009 to March 2010 in the sign of Leo.  When a planet is retrograde the qualities of that planet are more pronounced and it often does not function in the normal manner. Mars is the planet of action. In a natal chart Mars is the juice that gets you going, gives you the energy to function in the world and moves you across the finish line. In the big wide world Mars rules the military, wars and disputes of all kinds.  During this retrograde period Mars moves backward from 23 degrees Virgo to 3 degrees Virgo. Those with planets and angles within those degrees will be exposed to this energy three times, when Mars goes forward over them, retrograde and forward again. Mars was at 3 degrees of Virgo around November 18/19, 2011 and will station to go direct on April 13/14, 2012.

 Barack Obama has natal Mars at 22 degrees Virgo and Pluto at 6 degrees Virgo in his 7^th house of partners, relationships and open enemies. Transits to the horoscope of a head of state move from the personal to the very public. In Mundane astrology, the astrology of events, the 7^th house has to do with wars, foreign policy and international relationships. A Mars transit juices up the planet it touches and often brings out aggressiveness, belligerence and makes one prone to a snappy or snarly response. Mars prompts a combative stance. Obama will make his State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 9PM with transiting retrograde Mars conjunct his natal Mars. My guess is he will come out swinging and over the coming months he will face his opponents both foreign and domestic, within the party and without; in ways that are not his normal mode. What worries me is the natal square between Neptune (22 Virgo) and Mars (21 Gemini) in the horoscope of the Declaration of Independence.  Mars square Neptune means war for all the wrong reasons. Retrograde Mars, jazzing up this square, is up to no good.  High ideals dragged through the muck of combat seldom emerge pristine.  

The involvement of the New Moon in the Jupiter/Saturn opposition sends a frisson of energy to the long term Jupiter/Saturn cycle. Jupiter and Saturn form a conjunction every 20 years and their interactive dance over the years plays a big role in political, financial and societal events. The opposition is the half way point. Oppositions are just that, two opposing forces colliding head on. Jupiter wants expansion while Saturn wants contraction.  Jupiter wants to try something new while Saturn favors the tried and true.

Saturn is also involved in a trine with Neptune. Saturn is reality; Neptune the ideal. Before this Lunation cycle is over, Neptune will leave Aquarius for the final time and enter the home turf of Pisces, while Saturn turns retrograde.  (Neptune was briefly in Pisces from last April to August 2011) In the final degree of a sign a planet seems to always give it the “last hurrah” before leaving that sign, an event that signifies the symbolism of the sign and planet.   Neptune in Aquarius can denote a spiritual brotherhood. That’s the upside. The downside can be fraud, slander and misrepresentation.  Not much scandalizes us any more so it is difficult to imagine what event or revelation could set us on our heels.  We can only hope that the positive prevails, the sharing, caring and sense of universal human hood evidenced in the Occupy movement and other protests around the world.

The waxing square between Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn reaches exactness on June 24, 2012, the first of 7 squares from June 2012 through March 2015. These squares are part of the 126 year cycle of Uranus/Pluto.  This cycle brings about broad societal change. Uranus is the revolutionary rebel and rule breaker, in Aries; he’s willing to fight for it. Pluto is the great transformer, in Capricorn; he’s about altering the structure of business and government.  Here again it is the old against the new.  Think of these 7 squares as growing pains.  It will not be easy. Echoes from this New Moon will reverberate at the time of the first Uranus/Pluto square on June 24^th as Saturn moves in direct motion and Mars, once again in direct motion, reaches 22/23 degrees of Virgo.  Get ready to Rock and Roll.

This is not an easy time. These planetary dynamics touch each of us on a personal and collective level.  Transits to the natal planets and through the natal houses tell the tale of personal challenges and opportunities. A consultation with an astrologer is a valuable tool in troubled times. Astrology points the way around that stone wall so you don’t have to bust your skull trying to go through it.  As a timing device, astrology pinpoints the moment of chance and change.  Astrology gives you an edge when you need it and a heads up when difficulties loom.  Carpe Diem – seize the day!

Solar Eclipse, Retrograde Mercury, Occupy and Other Good Stuff

We kick off this Holiday Season with a Retrograde Mercury and a Solar Eclipse.  The Eclipse is in Sagittarius; the sign of philosophies, religion, publishing and the judiciary. Mercury sits at the bottom of the chart set for Washington, DC so we can count on mixed messages, confusion and outright obfuscation coming from that quarter. The failure of the Super Committee to do what it was designed to do may actually be a blessing in disguise as actions taken under a Retrograde Mercury usually have to be revised and done over. Eclipses are powerful and their influence last longer than the usual New Moon to New Moon cycle. This Eclipse stresses an already stressed monetary system. The Euro is under pressure and the family of nations that comprise that union may be looking at divorce as some countries may opt out. Here in the United States the Federal Reserve and the money planets of the United States face tension and strain.  We can expect more confusion. Financial matters and the huge debt facing nations and municipalities continue to threaten as the power brokers struggle to maintain the status quo. In the upcoming months expect financial surprises and secret deals. When those secrets are revealed it will bring the downfall of a famous person. The Occupy movement will continue to focus the lens on the excessive corporate, big money influence on Congressional affairs. The politicians, pundits and power brokers are trying to figure out this movement so they can turn it to their advantage. They don’t get it. This movement resonates with lots of people and cuts a wide swath through society touching many people at many levels. Most importantly, they are committed. This movement is in its infancy and is not going away. From an astrological standpoint it is part of the great 126 year cycle of Uranus and Pluto.  In the early 1930’s they were in a closing square aspect moving to conjunction.  This was the depression era and the time of the Bonus Army, the WWI veterans who camped out in DC because they wanted the bonus that was promised to them.  From that 90 degree closing square Uranus and Pluto moved into conjunction, together in the sky in the mid-sixties, planting new seeds of social revolution. Now we are approaching the waxing square between these two, the first of which occurs on June 24, 2012.  From June of 2012 to March of 2015 they move back and forth forming a series of seven exact squares.  This period of time holds the flavor of the thirties and echoes of the sixties.  The slower moving planets stimulate broad social change. Uranus represents revolution and rebellion. Rules are made to be broken. Pluto brings about deep transformation and he is not above destroying an existing system to bring that transformation about.  For the near term, it will pay to check all facts and don’t take anything on face value. Do your research and always get a second, even a third opinion.  Amuse yourself by watching the Politicians dance a jig around the hard truths so they can maintain their relevance in a changing world.

Occupy Providence - Corporations Own Our Government

When I first heard of the Occupy Wall Street movement I thought, they should be occupying Washington, DC, not Wall Street but I soon realized they had it right because as stated in their first official  statement, their reason for being, is “because corporations own our government.”  The power lies in Wall Street.

Here in Providence, RI,  Occupy Providence officially began on Saturday, at 5PM, October 15, 2011 with a rally at Burnside Park and a march through Providence.   My first impression as I entered the park was that this gathering had a definite sixties flavor to it.  Not surprising.  In the mid-sixties Uranus and Pluto were aligned in the sky and today they are approaching their first major alignment since then, sparking that revolutionary fire. The revolutionary impulse springs from Uranus and the process of transformation comes from Pluto.  The 1960’s alignment, the conjunction, brought the anti-war, anti-establishment, civil rights, and women’s rights movements.  Raising consciousness, eye-opening and “click” moments were the order of the day. In those days demonstrators faced opposition and hostility from the police, the politicians and the general public. Today, with the recent history of the banking bailout, i.e. rewarding the banks for bad behavior, this movement resonates with a large segment of the population. The police, at least here in Providence, seem to be in sympathy with the occupiers, as are the Providence Fire Fighters who have made donations to the cause.  

Personally, with a large dose of Aquarius in my horoscope, these group efforts, rallies and revolutionary movements bring joy to my heart and arouse my curiosity. I am drawn to Burnside Park and the people there, I want to know about them, find out what their motivations are, and see how they are managing this mass of people camping out in a public park.

The first thing I noticed is that they are well organized. They’ve erected booths for food distribution and media. They have a donations intake tent and a couple of medical tents. They recycle the trash and compost what they can. Volunteers man these posts.  

Here are some snippets of conversation, thoughts and reasons for getting involved from some of the people I have talked with.

Bobby, the 19 year old who holds the live streaming gig at Burnside Park related to me how he saw a news blurb about 700 people who were arrested in NYC in connection with their involvement in Occupy Wall Street.  He waited for two weeks  and did not see or hear anything in the main stream media about the Occupy Wall Street movement.  He decided to volunteer because he felt that the movement needed to get the word out and he was adept at live stream.  He feels that the government controls the media. He’s a registered voter and gets most of his news from the internet.

I spoke with Shantal at the food booth, a 24 year old volunteer who feels that “the current system has failed us economically, politically and socially”.  She volunteers after work spending her evenings dishing out food to the occupiers and the homeless. 

Tom, 26, describes himself as an anarchist  and feels that the “right to eat should not be dictated by money.” 

Dave, 43, was drawn to this movement by “a blend of grief and anger….about our broken promises to our most vulnerable population…..”

Jessica, 25 feels the “power balance is out of whack.” And that through the “government and corporate media we are manipulated….it creates a woundedness….consumerism is shoved down our throats.”  She is down here because she feels it is about waking people up to what is going on around them.  A very wise young lady she says, people need to ask themselves, “Why are you unhappy?” and follow that to the root cause.

Elliot, a retiree,  is down here because he feels that the country is “going down the tubes.”  He listed a variety of issues, banking reform, health care reform, unemployment, “it is a real shame that we are in these dire straits.”

Carol, another retiree, is “depressed at the direction the government is going.”  She feels that corporations buy candidates and campaign financing should be regulated and campaigns should only last three months.  She has lived abroad and finds the health system here appalling. 

Will, 24,  has not voted for awhile because he has no faith in the electoral process and feels to effect change we need direct democracy.  “The bailouts are symptoms and we need systemic change.”

Willie, 42, feels that “greedy people create problems”  Corporations are so greedy that they are putting people out of work, out of their homes and people are unable to take care of the basics. “The country is suffering.”

I did not see any evidence of partisan politics. The movement is not about that, it is about the corruption of the entire system. On my daily walk through Burnside Park I have seen the tents sprout like mushrooms as more people get involved. I think everyone should go down to Providence to see for themselves, to talk to the people and make up your own mind. I will continue to make trips down there to talk to people and get their ideas and thoughts.   

My next post will analyze the horoscopes of Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Providence.  These horoscopes show the direction, duration and outcomes of this movement.  Stay tuned.

Get Ready to Rock and Roll With This New Moon

The New Moon occurs at 7:09 AM EDT on September 27^th here on the eastern seaboard of the United States.  Begin, begin, begin cries the New Moon. The New Moon marks the beginning of the new cycle and simply put, it is the time to start something new. Inspiration and intuition flow into consciousness, and the wise do not ignore these spontaneous ideas that pop up, seemingly from nowhere. It pays to watch how they develop as the Moon waxes into the Crescent and First Quarter phases.  Often new ideas meet resistance or face obstacles at these points in the cycle.  If the idea or project has merit and is important to the individual, these impediments can be overcome. As the Moon reaches the Full Moon phase on October 11, 2011, seeds planted at the New Moon flourish and reach fruition. 

This particular New Moon falls in the sign of Libra. The Sun and Moon together in the sky square off with Pluto in Capricorn and oppose Uranus in Aries. This is a volatile, explosive combination. The indications point to strikes:  lightning, labor, sit ins, and protests involving youth in particular but also the public in general against the corporate, political and financial power structure. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions grab the headlines. The quakes and eruptions are not limited to the physical earth. As the public agitates, the power structures respond. As the Uranus/Pluto conjunction that occurred in the 1960’s approaches its First Quarter phase echoes from that era reverberate today. This New Moon period offers a glimpse of what may happen over the course of the series of Uranus/Pluto squares beginning in June 2012 and continuing through March of 2015.

Calculating the chart for Washington, DC puts the Sun and Moon conjunct the Ascendant. The Ascendant is an important position in any horoscope as it designates the point of entry into the world for the individual or entity. The Sun represents the father, head of state, CEO’s etc. The Moon represents the mother, females, the public and public opinion.  The Sun, Moon, Mercury cluster in Libra opposing Uranus in Aries straddles the Ascendant/Descendant axis. The Ascendant represents the self, while the Descendant symbolizes the other.  The Descendant or cusp of the 7^th house is the house of the “significant other” as well as open enemies.  The Sun opposing Uranus along this axis suggests that authority figures will meet the opposition, the rebellious and the revolutionaries head on. Here in the United States, President Obama will also meet his opponents head on.  He will confront those who contest his policies to the delight of his supporters and the dismay of his opponents.  The public is very much involved here.  The use of social media, the trend and tool of the modern grassroots organizer, continues to grow with novel twists and innovations along the way as Uranus in Aries shakes up the status quo for most of this decade.

As the Moon waxes moving into the First Quarter phase on October 3, 2011, the discontent with existing conditions in the political, commercial and personal arena reach a point where some action needs to be taken. Land values, real estate and agricultural themes focus around money, interest rates and the cost of goods and how these issues impact the work force. The general public is in a serious and somber mood.  At the Full Moon the money problems continue as political opponents, the public, parents, youth, management and labor threaten to leave the bargaining table behind with diplomacy forgotten. 

The Last Quarter Moon on October 19^th brings a change in public opinion as a new determination takes hold. Social unrest resonates with young and old alike.  The buzz circles the globe. Here again, this is the button that will get pushed time and again over the next few years.  For the immediate future, now is the time to assimilate all that has been learned and experienced during this current Lunation cycle.  This cycle holds the Libra theme of partnership, negotiation and social awareness. Libra needs to relate.  People need people now and despite political differences, are more than willing to try and work it out. The next Lunation Cycle begins with the New Moon in Scorpio on October 26, 2011.  Try and resolve any relationship issues while the Libra influence is in play as the Scorpio New Moon promises to take no prisoners.

You Think Last Week Was Tough? Get Ready for More

After teetering on the edge of default Congress finally reached an agreement to raise the debt ceiling; an agreement that many are not happy with. They reached this agreement on Tuesday just before Mercury went retrograde. In typical Mercury retro fashion (nothing resolved) the agreement included a plan to form a committee of 12, 6 from each party to review the budget cuts, revenue and debt ceiling again at the end of the year. If they don’t do this, automatic spending cuts will be implemented in a wide variety of programs. On Friday Standard and Poors downgraded the United States credit rating, from AAA to AA+ citing “the difficulties of bridging the gulf between political parties.”  On top of all this, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to its lowest since December 2010.

In the July 4, 1776 horoscope of the United States the money planets, Jupiter and Venus are conjunct in the early degrees of Cancer.  Pluto, the great destroyer and ruler of debt, taxes and interest rates is presently sitting directly across from these planets at 5 degrees of Capricorn.  Revolutionary Uranus currently at 4 degrees of Aries has been and will be creating a stressful square to the US Jupiter and Venus as well as to transiting Pluto. The energies created by the dynamic action between Uranus and Pluto impact financial, political and social constructs all over the world. Their last conjunction, occurring in the tumultuous sixties, should give you an idea as to how they shake up society. Today in their waxing square aspect we have most of Europe, along with the US, is in the financial toilet, revolutionary fire spreading across the Middle East; terrorism rearing its ugly head in the most unlikely places, natural disasters and weather extremes creating human misery across the globe.

Here on the eastern seaboard of the United States, Mars entered Cancer early Wednesday morning on August 3, 2011.  Zero degrees of any Cardinal sign; (Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn) is a potent degree. These are the degrees that change the seasons, a lot of energy there.  Pluto and Uranus are in the early degrees of Cardinal signs as is the Jupiter and Venus of the United States. Pluto and Uranus are already messing with these money planets and when Mars enters the picture, well he is the original Action Jackson.  

Last week there was quite a bit of turmoil in the United States, politically as well as financially.  There is more to come. Today, Sunday, August 07, 2011 transiting Mars is conjunct the US Venus. Before the week is out he will connect with the United States Jupiter bringing more money woes for sure with the diplomatic arena not looking to healthy either. Transiting Saturn, hip deep into the Cardinal sign Libra will move into stressful square aspect to the United States Sun.  As the Sun in a mundane chart signifies Heads of State it is safe to assume that Obama’s got himself a big headache.  Transiting Saturn often puts you between a rock and a hard place.

Monday morning at 5:46 AM EDT, pesky little Mercury retrogrades back into Leo and then he opposes Neptune in Aquarius.  I would check every fact and figure that crosses my radar. Don’t take anything at face value. Do your homework and avoid snap decisions.  On Tuesday, 12:34 PM EDT, Mars, Mr. Action, squares off with Uranus, Mr. Upset and later in the afternoon the Moon enters Capricorn and the fun begins as Old Lunar kicks off those Cardinal Degrees.  By Thursday when Mars opposes Pluto be ready for scorched earth, literally and figuratively.  Major events are unfolding now and we may not know or understand what is really happening or what the fallout will be for many Moons. Whatever the case may be, this week’s run up to the Full Moon in Aquarius on Saturday will be volatile, unpredictable and violent.