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

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

The Lame Duck Congress Convenes - Or "The Hot Air Conference"

Congress reconvenes today at 2PM EST in Washington, DC. The map of the heavens at that time shows the constellation Pisces on the horizon with Moon in Pisces within one degree of the Ascendant in the 12^th house. Jupiter, co-ruler of the Ascendant is conjunct Uranus in the 1^st house. The good side of Pisces speaks to idealism and selfless sacrifice the bad side brings in fraud, deceit and disillusionment. Jupiter and Uranus together in the angular 1^st house indicate the potential for a big surprise. Uranus’ slogan is, “if you can think of it, that ain’t it” while Jupiter promises “lots of” whatever surprise Uranus has in store. The Sun, the heart and soul of any horoscope, is in the money and debt sign of Scorpio in Scorpio’s own 8^th house. Retrograde Venus in Libra, on the cusp of the 8^th moving to the 7^th tells us that the debate over taxes, debt, and insurance will be public and the 7^th house says you will know your enemy. Mars and Mercury conjoined in Sagittarius suggest that fiery debate is in the offing. The Sagittarius factor brings belief systems, philosophies, religion as well as international affairs and immigration to the table. Saturn in Libra is the big dog here, he has a lot of dignity and is posited in the 7^th house. Saturn here says, “You can talk, blither and bluster all you want but you will get something done”. In a horoscope, Congress is ruled by the 5^th and 11^th houses. The 5^th house signifying the Senate in this instance has the sign Cancer on the cusp, the Senate this session is operating under the influence of a Pisces Moon; a lot of high ideals, plenty of mystical references but not a lot of practical accomplishments. On the other hand,  the House of Representatives has Capricorn, ruled by super dignified Saturn, on the cusp. The House will do a lot of hard work and have something to show for it after all is said and done. But here is the thing, Harry Reid, still the Senate’s head honcho, has natal Sun in Sagittarius conjoining Mercury/Mars as this session opens. His Pisces Mars sits on the Ascendant, in the 12^th and his natal Jupiter is mixing it up with the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in the sky presently. A lot of his work is going to be done behind the scenes and make no mistake, he is still a power to be reckoned with. Another power to be reckoned with is Nancy Pelosi, Reid’s counterpart in the House of Representatives. Nancy Pelosi’s Aries Sun sits in the 1^st house of this chart. Her retrograde Mercury in Pisces sits on the Ascendant, conjunct the Moon. She will speak to the heart of the matter, to the core, to the instinct. She’ll hit those Representatives where they live and arouse some gut reactions. It is pretty obvious that she is the only Democrat with any balls. She has a stellium (2 or more planets in a sign other than the Sun sign) in Taurus. So not only does she have the initiative of Aries but also the stick to it, stubbornness of Taurus. You are not going to budge a Taurus once they have dug their heals in. Try it sometime, let me know how you make out. After the Moon shifts into Aries on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 the action should heat up. Congress will be meeting late into the night on Wednesday as the Sagittarius Mercury makes a connection with Saturn in Libra. Thursday is a big day though, for Congress and for everyone as both Jupiter in Pisces and Venus in Libra change direction and begin moving in forward motion. Things may not hit the fan then but you can be sure it is on its way. We may have to wait until the Full Moon in Taurus on Sunday on the 29^th degree along the Taurus/Scorpio axis. This is going to be a real “banger”. Stay tuned, more to come.