Pope Benedict XVI

Once again the Catholic Church and the millions of faithful were rocked when Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement, abdication, resignation or whatever you call it when a Pope lays down his scepter.  The Church has been riddled with scandals from pedophile priest to financial issues involving money laundering for a good many years now and will continue in the upcoming years.  The transit of Pluto through Sagittarius from January 1995 to January 2008 triggered the sexual scandals which in turn sparked many a crisis of conscious among the faithful.  With Pluto now in Capricorn the crisis brings more concrete issues to the table.  Questionable financial dealings and corruption within the church send tremors through the institution known as the Vatican.

Questions regarding Pope Benedict’s knowledge of the pedophiles within the ranks and the alleged cover up continue to dog the Pope and show no signs of letting up. These issues and the Pope’s physical condition were major factors in the Pope’s decision.

Pope Benedict is an Aries, with a Libra Moon and Pisces Ascendant.  The Ascendant, having much to do with the personality of an individual, in the sign of Pisces indicates spiritual leanings as well as a tendency to look at things through rose colored glasses. The Moon in the horoscope points to what the person needs. In Libra, Pope Benedict needs harmony and peaceful relations. All of this is filtered through the Aries Sun. There is a certain amount of aggressiveness, assertiveness and an initiating quality with this Sun sign. Aries wants to be first.  Jupiter in Pisces, (faith) conjuncts the Ascendant as well as the Pisces Mercury and widely to Uranus in Aries. Pisces Mercury is great for meditation and prayer.  Arriving at decisions could prove to be problematic with this placement. In addition this Pisces Mercury squares (90 degrees) Benedict’s natal Mars in Gemini. So Benedict has this Pisces Mercury aligned with Mars in Gemini and if we couple that with the Libra Moon that needs to see both sides of the picture we can see where taking decisive action may be a difficult proposition for this individual.

A comparison between Pope Benedict’s horoscope chart and the chart for the timing of the official end of his reign as Pope (February 28, 2013, 8PM, Rome, Italy, from news reports) is worth a look see.  The transits to Pope Benedict’s chart at that time place Sun, Mercury, Venus and Neptune all in Pisces in his twelfth house of solitude. Traditionally the twelfth house is a house of affliction, exile, banishment and hidden enemies.  The Piscean strength in his natal horoscope leads me to believe that he really does wish to lead a contemplative life.  The scandals and his health were/are the factors in his decision. I am thinking that his health tipped the balance. The twelfth house placement of the transiting planets in his horoscope hint of secrets.  There is more going on than is being revealed. In October of this year there will be a Lunar Eclipse with Sun at 25 Libra and Moon at 25 Aries. The Moon will sit upon his Aries Sun.  From now until then secrets may unfold.  And the questions will be who knew? Who covered up? And where does the church go from here.

Moon Musings - First Quarter - Full Moon

Moon entered Taurus on Friday, February 15^th.  For the Taurus folks among us this is like a personal New Moon for when the Moon moves into the sign your Sun is in it will revive you and pump you up.  It is not so with the other Fixed signs, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Moon opposes Scorpio and forms a 90 degree square aspect to Leo and Aquarius. Taurus Moon makes things tough for the other Fixed signs.  While making it tough for the Fixed crowd, Taurus Moon smoothes the way for the Earth signs of Virgo and Capricorn. In the Zodiac, Earth to Earth is an aspect of 120 degrees called a trine. This is an aspect of ease where the energy flows.

In the sky now the Sun is moving through the later degrees of Aquarius. On Sunday, February 17^th the Moon will move into a 90 degree square aspect with the Sun. This is the First Quarter Moon phase of the monthly dance between the Sun and Moon. Squares activate and agitate. The First Quarter Moon phase awakens the promise seeded in the New Moon phase. Action is required, go somewhere, do something, have that conversation.  Moon in Taurus brings out the stubborn and the cautious within us. This Moon is grounded and deeply invested in the status quo. Sun in Aquarius looks to the future and loves the novel and new. Despite this future oriented view, Aquarius is a fixed, air sign which equates to fixed ideas, ideas that are entrenched. It takes a great deal of reason, logic and argument to get an Aquarian to change that fixed, air mind. We may find ourselves between a rock and a hard place at this First Quarter phase forcing us to act.

As we shift from the Fixed signs of Taurus/Aquarius to the Mutable signs of Moon in Gemini and Sun in Pisces movement, change and adaptability loom on the horizon Gemini Moon encourages communication and curiosity. On Wednesday, February 20^th, Moon enters Cancer, at home here and forming an aspect of ease to Pisces Sun; heretofore barriers and obstacles to progress melt away. The Full Moon of February 25^th reflects this shift with Moon in Earthy Virgo opposing Pisces Sun.  Change is possible but for some difficulties remain, in particular Sagittarius and Gemini receive troublesome vibes from this Full Moon.  Capricorn, Taurus, Cancer and Scorpio receive some helpful energy.

In the lead up to the Full Moon, on Monday, February 18^th as the Sun moves into Pisces, Saturn in Scorpio stations, turning retrograde. Retrograde motion is the appearance of the planet moving backwards. When a planet stations and changes direction the energies of that planet are strong.  Saturn is about restriction, contraction and keeping your nose to the grind stone.  Scorpio speaks to sex, death, and transformation.  The more practical application of this sign encompasses debt and taxes.  While some may have a hot little love affair that transforms most will be dealing with the IRS and the credit card companies.

As we move into the Full Moon phase and wind down to the Last Quarter of this cycle that which was hidden shall be revealed. With Mercury going retrograde on February 23^rd we may have to wait until the next First Quarter phase in March when Mercury moves again in direct motion after the 17^th of March.

With the Sun traveling through Pisces the energies encourage quiet reflection and spiritual endeavors.  The down side of Pisces is escape from reality. Don’t hit the bottle or ignore the practical things that need to be dealt with.  Do get in touch with your core self, find your center and move from there.

 

Mercury Retrograde – Election Day

This Election Day the planet Mercury turns retrograde at 6:04 PM EST.  That is the day starts off with Mercury in direct motion and ends with Mercury in retrograde motion.  As Mercury rules the short trip, the neighborhood, voting, and the process of counting those votes the change of direction on this day holds particular significance. On Election Day in 2000 Mercury moved from retrograde motion to direct motion. Hanging chads and a Supreme Court decision to decide the election is just the sort of mischief that Mercury, direct or retrograde, is the master of.

In the  Homeric Hymns  the ancient Greek texts that celebrate the Gods, the hymn to Hermes (Mercury) describes him as  “a child who was a shrewd and coaxing schemer, a cattle-rustling robber and a bringer of dreams,”  He was born in the morning, made and played the lyre at noon and in the evening he stole Apollo’s cattle.  Quick, clever and not entirely honest, that’s Mercury.

Mercury is also associated with the “Trickster” the mythological creature found in many cultures who messes with your head, often behaving in a confusing manner.  As Mercury turns retrograde on Tuesday he is in alignment with another trickster, the planet Uranus. Uranus likes to break down rigid social constructs, create revolution and in general disrupt the normal flow of things.

On Election Day there are many planetary factors in play.  The ongoing Uranus/Pluto square which is playing out all around us in government, business, weather and personal lives is one very important aspect that brings with it change in the culture and the social order.  This election is just a blip in the planetary dance of these two heavy hitters. Saturn’s entrance into Scorpio, a 29-30 year cycle signifies accountability and responsibility.  In Scorpio, the reckoning involves debt and taxes.  Jupiter in Gemini guarantees a huge turnout and in alignment with Venus in Libra says women will be a big factor in this election.

What this Election Day will bring is anybody’s guess but with the type of configurations in play, especially that between Mercury and Uranus, we haven’t got an inkling.  We haven’t heard any hints on the news nor have the polls or opinion pieces given any clues.  Something weird, wild and straight out of left field, with Uranus, if you can think of it, that ain’t it.

The Full Moon – A Stormy Week

Here on the East Coast of the USA this Full Moon brings with it storm, wind and rain. The Full Moon chart for the nation’s capitol has wet Pisces on the Ascendant and windy Gemini on the 4^th house cusp.  Weather storms are not the only types of storms that this Full Moon heralds. Venus, the planet of love and money, opposes Uranus and squares Pluto.  Venus having just entered her home sign of Libra sits in the 7^th house, her natural home giving her some extra oomph something she will need as she moves into exact aspect with the big boys Uranus and Pluto.  Expect storms to brew within relationships with issues of money, freedom and who is in control to surface.  Mars in Sagittarius opposes Jupiter in Gemini.  Mars is all about action and Jupiter brings abundance to the table. Mercury enters Sagittarius early Monday morning promising some big talk and perhaps loose tongues promising more than can be delivered. Mercury making a square aspect to Neptune in Pisces indicates delusional thinking.  There’s a lot of that going around so be sure to check the facts before climbing on board someone’s bandwagon.

Moon moves from fixed Taurus into airy, mutable Gemini on Wednesday afternoon.  Moon moves into aspect with the major players of the Full Moon chart kicking off events related to the symbolism of the particular planet.  Neptune planet of illusion, delusion and the mystical may reveal some truths when hit by transiting Moon. Or is it the truth? One never really knows with Neptune.  A Gemini Moon opposing a Sagittarius Mercury guarantees discussions often about the big picture and generally overflowing with information and excessive verbiage.  Try to get to the point quickly before your audience begins to yawn.  Late Wednesday night Moon makes a lovely trine aspect to Venus and talk of love fills the air. Money and values will enter the picture as well.   

Early Thursday, November 1^st Moon connects with volatile Uranus and anything goes.  By early evening Venus will make her opposition to Uranus exact and Moon will conjunct Jupiter.  These aspects may trigger a big news event on the world stage and on a more personal level lightning bolts and out of the blue actions and events disrupt relationships, money deals and social plans.  Early Friday morning Moon opposes Mars in Sagittarius setting off sparks.

Early Saturday morning, November 3^rd Moon enters Cancer. Moon is at home here and emotional actions and reactions will reign over the next three days. Saturday afternoon brings the exact square between Venus and Pluto. Pluto likes to abduct fair maidens and Venus in Libra is the fairest of them all. Venus in Libra speaks to fairness and justice and these values may get hijacked by the corporate institutions that Pluto represents.  On a personal level it is a relationship between equals that needs to be maintained.  

The optimal way to ride out the storms of this week is always to try and take the high road.  Take care of your own interests and stand in your truth for sure but examine your motives and try not to let the big ego take control. Often that is easier said than done.  A little meditation goes a long way during these volatile periods.

A Little Bit of Saturn and A Big Election

Today, October 25, 2012 Sun makes a conjunction with Saturn.  This is the first time that the Sun and Saturn have been conjunct in Scorpio since Saturn was last in Scorpio in the early 80’s. Saturn is the sign of duty, responsibility and accountability.  Saturn restricts and contracts. The sign Scorpio known for sex, death and transformation is also concerned with debt, interest rates and taxes. The death of Scorpio is not the physical death but the death of an old way bringing rebirth and the new.

The fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius will feel Saturn’s restrictive influence most strongly.  All signs of the Zodiac will feel the impact of Saturn in Scorpio on some level. Saturn spends approximately two and one half years in a sign.  In December of 2014 Saturn will move into Sagittarius then due to retrograde motion will slip back into Scorpio in June of 2015 finally leaving that sign in September of 2015. If you are a Scorpio ask your Libra friends what life has been like for the past two years or so.

The houses of the horoscope represent particular areas in the life of an individual.  The first house is the self; the second house is money etc.  The house in your horoscope that Saturn travels through is where it is payback time.  Or if you have done your work, did your homework and accepted responsibility you may find this to be reward time. Saturn gives you what you have earned. If you have been deluding yourself in any area of your life Saturn brings you face to face with the reality of the situation.

Over the next couple of years Saturn will form a trine aspect with the money planets, Venus and Jupiter, in the July 4, 1776 chart of the USA.  At this pre-election moment, Saturn is in harsh aspect to Obama’s Mercury. His ideas and opinions face obstacles and challenges.  His challenger, Mitt Romney has transiting Saturn moving into trine his Mars, the planet of action and energy. Saturn brings focus and the ability to organize and get the job done. He is a formidable opponent at this time.  Concurrently he has Saturn making a harsh aspect to his natal Venus.  This aspect points to the Republicans apparent problem with women.  There may be strains and disagreements within his relationships and a difficulty relating to people.

This election is a difficult one to call for a lot of reasons.  Mercury changes direction on Election Day moving from direct to retrograde.  Mercury was in retrograde motion on Election Day 2000 so there may be some dispute or discrepancy that will take a while to sort out.

The winner of this election will face Saturn’s transit of the USA’s Venus, Jupiter and Sun. The Sun rules the head of state and as mentioned before Venus and Jupiter the money.  Saturn can surely depress the economy but can also bring a certain amount of stabilization.  Saturn in Scorpio can restrict or contract the debt. At any rate, it will be “get your ducks in a row” time and whoever is in the driver’s seat will have their work cut out for them.

For the rest of us Saturn will be very personal according to the house it transits and the aspects it makes to the individual’s chart. A Saturn transit is real and concrete. It manifests in the physical world. Even if you don’t know Saturn from a hole in the wall you can identify where Saturn is by locating where the principles of Saturn are manifesting in your life.  A Saturn transit is a good time to see an astrologer.  Remember no matter how difficult it gets: This to shall pass.

 

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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