April – Crashing and Burning – The Great Cardinal Square

April 2014 may turn out to be a month that history will not ignore.  There’s a celestial battle taking place in the sky that has been going on for awhile and during the month of April a peak or tipping point is reached. This has a lot to do with the 126 year cycle of Uranus and Pluto.  Pluto is the destroyer, ruling toxic waste, corruption, elimination and despite all this has the power to transform and reform. The use of power to control others as well as the power of the group belongs to Pluto. Uranus is the humanitarian, revolutionary anarchist and has rule over technology and invention.  Kicking down rigid societal constructs is Uranus’ joy. When Pluto and Uranus engage, society changes. Add to this the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on the 15^th and the New Moon Solar Eclipse on the 29^th and you have the makings of deep and profound changes.

Eclipses run in 19 year cycles. In 1995 there were Eclipses at these signs and degrees.  What was happening in your life then? What have you learned? What direction did your life take and can you use your current knowledge to guide you with the wisdom you have gained.

Uranus and Pluto square each other 7 times between 2012 and 2015.  The 5^th in that series of squares takes place on April 21, 2014. Into this particular square move Jupiter in Cancer and Mars in Libra creating what is called a Grand Square.  These four planets are either squaring or opposing one another and they are all connected to within a few degrees this month.  This is an explosive combination. 

So far we’ve seen earthquakes, mudslides, corrupt politicians, and unease and unrest in various parts of the world. This kind of activity will continue.

People with planets in the middling degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn feel the pinch of these planets and will continue to feel it for some time.  But the rest of us will not escape this configuration as all the elements are represented and affected. Earth, Air, Water and Fire all are taking a hit. 

There’s a battle going on within as well as without.  The need for independence balanced against the necessity of cooperation and collaborative efforts.  We may want to go it alone and be independent but circumstances may prevent that.  Maintaining the balance between the public and private life is a challenge for some.  Life’s direction and purpose come under review.

Letting go, releasing and giving up something is on the table for a lot of us. Letting go is painful. We’re creatures of habit and don’t like to step out of our comfort zone. These transits are a set up for change and resistance only makes the process more difficult.   We’re forced to give up something that we think is vital to our existence.  When we let go we open the way for something new and better to enter our lives.

Change does not have to be drastic for some it is the earthquake within that wakens them to new possibilities. Adjustments can be made to existing circumstances, new attitudes create new conditions. 

This month all the muck is going to rise to the surface. It is up to us to clear it away, clean it up and move on.  This is true on the personal level as well as on the world stage.  The environment and what humans are doing to it will hit home in a very big way. Justice, business, money, corruption all tie in to what is right and what is wrong about the world as we know it today.  Events will raise our awareness.  Some of these events will be like a slap in the face. It’s a wakeup call, so wake up folks!

Aries New Moon - That's a Whole Lotta Aries!!!

Venus, Mars and Uranus join the Sun and Moon in Aries at this New Moon.  This New Moon sparks the pioneering spirit prodding folks to be bold, courageous and assertive.  Taking the initiative and acting on impulse are earmarks of Aries energy.  The New Moon to Full Moon period is always good for starting things but this New Moon is especially so.  With Moon in Aries there is an emotional need for action. Mars in Aries is the big dog at this Lunation. He’s in his own sign and has all the dignity, which means the energy of Mars functions well.  Mars on the bright side is good for starting things and asserting yourself. This New Moon is a great time to start an exercise program.  Mars on the not so bright side signifies all who dispute or fight.  War and warriors all belong to Mars. A strong Mars is often indicative of violence in some form.  Remember a jog around the block is preferable to punching someone in the face.  While Mars rules the soldier he also rules the athlete. So do the calisthenics, get out there and move because Mars will be calling you to action so use the energy in a positive manner.

At the First Quarter Moon on April 18^th Mars again is prominent.  Here he is conjunct the Sun and both square, (90 degrees apart) Moon at home in moody, broody Cancer.  Emotional reactions will be over the top. Venus has moved into her home turf of Taurus and will try to play the diplomat but will not have much luck. In Taurus, she’ll stick with it as Taurus is a fixed and stubborn sign. There’s no one who can dig their heels in and stand their ground like a Taurus.  Mercury at the New Moon was in quiet, contemplative Pisces where logic takes a back seat to dreams and visions. Now at this First Quarter, Mercury has moved into fiery Aries. Folks generally say the first thing that pops into their minds, blurting it out without thinking about the impact of what they say. Mercury in conjunction with Uranus here speaks of shocking news, accidents on the highway and in the air. Whatever it is, shock is the key word.

The Full Moon on April 25^th is in Scorpio and is also a Lunar Eclipse with the Sun in Taurus and Moon in Scorpio.  While Venus in Taurus at this Full Moon is strong in general an Eclipse in Scorpio indicates secretive actions.  Taurus and Scorpio have a great deal to do with money, debt and interest rates. On the grand scale of the world stage currencies, economies and the big banks will hit the headlines.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that a country’s saber rattling is about honor, it is about money, bottom line.

By the Last Quarter Moon on May 2^nd much is still going on behind the scenes.  Some courageous do-gooder may make an attempt to reveal some dark secrets. Scandal about secret love affairs and secret money deals aggravates an already aggravated public.

We live in unsettling times with the economy in the pits and societal changes moving along to the dismay of many and not quickly enough for others.  The new and the traditional vie with one another for supremacy. The Lunation cycle that begins with this New Moon agitates and aggravates the tensions prevalent in the world today.

 On a personal level use this New Moon energy to make changes and to move forward.  Remember to be assertive, not aggressive.  When Mercury moves into Aries and touches base with Uranus on the 20^th use that energy to foster creative, innovative ideas in your personal and professional life.  It’ll feel like a light bulb has flashed on in your head. Brilliant!

At the Full Moon dig deep into your own money issues and figure out what it is you truly value.  This Full Moon should bring the awareness that we cannot let out possessions or lack of possessions define who we are.

As the Moon winds down to the Last Quarter take the time to meditate, contemplate and quietly review all that has gone on in your life as the Moon waxed and waned.  There is a need to assimilate and dissipate or dispense what we have brought into ourselves during this cycle. It’s like fertilizer that we spread to nurture the next New Moon cycle.

 

What’s Up This Week? Where’s That Moon?

On Saturday, March 24, 2012 Moon goes void of course in Aries at 1:17 PM until 5:43 PM when the energy shifts as Moon moves into Taurus.  During the hours that Moon is void of course it is best to avoid making major decisions. Things never go as planned when Moon is void. Wait until the fiery impulsiveness of Aries gives way to the more staid, solid, stolid energies of Taurus. Folks get more cautious and conservative while Moon travels through Taurus. A note of stubbornness creeps in. Before this changeover, the Sun in Aries joins forces with Uranus in Aries. Sudden, surprising events upset the routine. Pay close attention to the news and trends of this weekend as these are a preview of things to come. Saturday evening when Moon connects with Neptune inspiration and imagination rule.  Avoid excess use of drugs and alcohol.  Escape through music, meditation, or art. Sunday morning Moon greets the day with a positive aspect to retrograde Mars in Virgo.  Mars is energy, Moon is emotion. This is a good time to work on home projects.  Throughout the day Moon connects with Pluto then Jupiter.  Strong emotions bring about strong reactions. Expect emotional eruptions. Try not to get pulled into the dark and snarly emotional baggage of others. By Monday afternoon Moon makes nice nice with Venus. Venus at home in Taurus is strong now. This is a good time for romance, a party or any social gathering.  Moon’s last aspect before going void of course is with retrograde Mercury at 12:35 AM EDT Tuesday morning. This is a blend of the mind and emotions. People say what they feel. Lines of communication are open; it’s a good time to clear the air.  Moon enters flirty, chatty Gemini at 6:43 AM EDT.  More communication, exchange of news and information and true to Gemini’s dual nature, some difficulty in making up one’s mind or changing one’s mind. Gemini’s airy nature brings with it restlessness and people get antsy if they start to get bored. Midmorning fantasy runs head on into the reality of the daily routine when Moon agitates nebulous Neptune. The evening commute brings a few surprises as Moon bounces off Uranus and Mars. Watch out for road rage.  Don’t let traffic jams push you over the edge. Remember to breathe. By late evening Sun and Moon form a congenial aspect and harmony and peace reign.  Wednesday Gemini Moon makes no exact aspects but expect to be busy under this Moon. Thursday morning Moon squares off with Gemini’s ruler Mercury. Retrograde in fuzzy Pisces, Mercury brings rumor, innuendo and unclear messages.  Be wary of signing or starting anything. Do some reviewing and revising.  The afternoon brings a nice Mercury/Venus contact that offers an opportunity to smooth troubled waters. Trouble could be due to a misunderstanding, go back and have that conversation to clear the air. When Moon connects with Saturn, the conversation gets serious and some solid information emerges. Then Moon goes void of course.  Before Moon slides home to the sign of Cancer, the Sun makes a bold, brassy aspect to the power broker, Pluto. This is another one of those moments that provide a glimpse into the future. The headlines will tell the tale. Moon, in Cancer, after 7:07 PM EDT gets mystical and intuitive with Neptune before midnight, now is the time to dream the dream. Be sure to see things as they really are not how you wish them to be.  On Friday Cancer Moon is busy making aspects with those heavy hitters, Uranus, Mars and Pluto before squaring off with the Sun bringing us to the First Quarter Moon phase. Quarter Moon time is a time of crisis and action. A decision has to be made. At this Quarter Moon it will be difficult to maintain peace. Don’t fly off the handle, get the facts and see the picture clearly before taking any steps that might make the situation worse. Let Venus in Taurus, (at the top of the Quarter Moon Chart here in New England) rule the day. Think beauty, peace and harmony.

Another Fun Week! The Change Comes From Within

The Last Quarter Moon reaches perfection at 5:54 PM EDT on Sunday, August 21, 2011 kicking off a busy week of planetary sign and direction changes.  Quarter Moons call for action, in the waning phase the action/change occurs on the inner planes.  This is the time to finish projects, do some tweaking here and there and take a little break, especially as we segue into the Balsamic phase. The Crescent Moon is shrinking and soon the night sky is dark. Dream the future, stop, smell the roses and listen.  In the quiet new ideas formulate and creativity percolates preparing for the start of the next cycle, the New Moon on the 28^th/29^th of August. Hold off beginning the new until after this New Moon. Before we reach this new phase we will have to get through this week of fluctuating energy. On Sunday, Venus moves from fiery Leo to the more sedate Virgo. Venus loves to indulge herself and Virgo has no patience for fancy frills and extravagance. The love of Venus in Virgo is a more practical love. Venus in Virgo will weed your garden or cook you a pot of soup.  Venus in Virgo minds the budget and is reluctant to spend on luxury items. A new stove is fine; a silk scarf questionable.  Moon moves into Gemini Sunday night. Waning Moon in Gemini is a great time to clear your desk of all communications that require a response. People are busy, busy, talky, talky while Moon is in this sign. On Monday, the Sun opposes Neptune bringing a jangle of discordant news and exposure of a few dark deeds. The real truth of it all comes out after Mercury turns direct on Friday, August 26^th at 6:03 PM EDT. In the meantime Gemini Moon keeps pumping out the information until Wednesday morning when Moon slides home to Cancer. Things begin to get emotional. Gemini Moon thinks; Cancer Moon feels. Wednesday could turn out to be an emotional roller coaster, try not to base any decisions solely on emotions. On Thursday morning Mars in Cancer squares off with Saturn in Libra. Think difficult. In traditional astrology these two are considered the Greater and Lesser Malefics. Things could get ugly. Disputes, fights, foul weather, and some nasty explosive types of events are possible. Moon goes Void of Course at 9:04 AM. When Moon is Void of Course the best course of action is one of kicking back and letting life flow around you.  Actions and decisions made during Void of Course periods have a funny way of running in unexpected directions. So whatever the Mars/Saturn configuration stirs up the wise will remember to take those ten deep breathes before reacting. In the evening, Venus plays the diplomat with powerful Pluto.  Political shenanigans come to mind. On Friday noonish Moon enters Leo. People want to be loved and appreciated when Moon is in Leo. The creative, playful side emerges. Leo Moon is a great way to start a fun weekend.  At 6:03 PM Mercury shifts into direct motion. Over the weekend new information surfaces and the news, scandals and false reports all receive a makeover as the truth finally comes out. Let the dust settle and wait until Monday before deciding, acting or beginning anything. 

Jupiter in Aries

When you think about Jupiter you have to think global. Jupiter is the high priest, the prophet, the philosopher, the legal expert and wise judge. Jupiter in excess or taking anything less than the high road brings exaggeration, overestimation, fanaticism, intolerance and a tendency for overindulgence. Jupiter has to do with holding society together through rulership of laws and legal systems.



Aries represents the spring awakening. The powerful force that germinates and pushes to the surface, Aries is impulse, pioneering, initiative, impatience, seizes the untried, the new and finds new solutions to old problems. Aries on the dark side can be brutal, violent, prone to start and fail to finish, a big ego with no regard for the feelings of others.


A blending of these two begins this Saturday, Jan 22, 2011, when they join forces as Jupiter enters Aries. Last June, 2010 Jupiter popped into Aries spending a quick 3 months, returning to Pisces in September 2010.


A Jupiter transit in a personal horoscope expands the individual’s universe, the consciousness and at times the waist line. The energy flows easily and the house it transits is the area of growth. Bad habits can grow as well as good habits. The cautionary tale of a Jupiter transit is “don’t overdo.”


Jupiter’s transit through the sign of Aries will be the luckiest of times for natives of this sign. This time signals a twelve year cycle of growth. Aries will feel good, optimistic and hopeful.


The Aquarius and Gemini receive favorable vibes. This transit brings good relationships and opportunity. For Leo and Sagittarius good stuff comes your way but this transit can make you lazy, so pay attention and don’t let opportunity pass you by. Capricorn and Cancer, while generally favorable need to navigate the snags and snafus that arise and threaten the benefits Jupiter brings. The Pisces and Taurus’ may be totally unaware of the benefits and good luck that is around them while the Scorpios and Virgos experience annoyances that if left unattended can blossom in a big way. Libra experiences this as a culmination; it is a Full Moon type of occurrence as Jupiter is opposing its Libra position of 2004-2005. Libra’s chance for success is good now but a focus on the spiritual will better serve.


For a clue to what this means for you personally think back to last June through September, what was happening in your life then. For a broader picture of what is going on in your life think back to 1999 when Jupiter last transited Aries. That cycle is ending now and a new one is beginning. Where were you twelve years ago? What wonders of the universe opened up for you? Get ready for another round. And remember, at its highest Jupiter is all about connecting to ones spiritual self. Jupiter brings material goods but the best gift Jupiter brings is the spiritual blessings that are pearls beyond price. Meditate and get in touch with your higher self, your inner spiritual self and how to turn those selves into the pioneer embodied in the Jupiter in Aries archetype.

Election Day – and the Mood of the People

The big question this election is; are the Democrats going to get the boot or what? When looking at elections I cast an Election Day chart for 6 AM EDT and locate it in Washington, DC. This year a couple of things hit me right off the bat. First,  retrograde Venus in Scorpio will be making a trine, 120 degrees, to the USA Venus, (July 4, 1776).  The USA Venus is in Cancer. Venus is a money planet and also has dominion over the arts, women, relationships, love, diplomacy and the social graces.  In a horoscope Venus symbolizes what you want. In the USA the love of home, family, Mom and apple pie predominate. Politicians love pushing those buttons. This year, Venus in Scorpio reflects the concern with the economy and debt, personal as well as national. The other piece that jumped out at me was the position of the Moon in Virgo. The Moon rules the public and public opinion. Here Moon makes a nice, easy connection to Mercury in Scorpio. Mercury rules the vote. So a nice connection like this indicates a big turnout, more than usual for a midterm election. The Moon in Virgo tells us what is on the mind of the people. In Virgo, they are looking way beyond the snappy slogan. Virgo wants, loves and needs the details. Virgo Moon indicates concerns with health care, unions and the armed services. These elements of society will be out in force. Through the course of the day Moon will move into opposition with both Jupiter and Uranus in Pisces.  This brings an anything goes flavor to the party. There will be some surprises, those expected to win will not and the predicted losers will be the victors. These factors will play out from the smallest towns to the biggest cities. Local as well as national politics are in for “Mr. Toads Wild Ride”.  In Mundane Astrology, the astrology of events, the houses and planets in the horoscope represent components of society, the first house represents the people, the Sun represents the head of state etc. The 5^th house represents the Senate while the 11^th represents the House of Representatives. In the Election Day chart the 5^th/11^th house axis runs along the Aquarius/Leo axis, with the Senate being the Aquarians and the Representatives the Leos. These are both fixed signs and could indicate no change. But the overall chart has a strong Cardinal flavor, with Libra on the ascendant and Cancer on the Mid-Heaven, two very important, strong points in a horoscope. This would indicate something new, a beginning or a fresh start. No matter how it turns out I think the politicians, pollsters and the people are in for a bit of surprise. There is a strong anti-incumbent feeling out there and it is not necessarily going to be the Democrats taking the brunt. There are going to be changes from Wasilla to Washington. The people will have spoken, and that is what it is all about.
Addendum:

The above was written using a 6AM opening for the polls. It has come to my attention that the polls open at 7AM. The time change changes the important points of the horoscope, the Mid-heaven and Ascendant moving them from Cardinal to Fixed signs. This new time further enhances the importance of the planet Venus as we find Venus and the Sun in Scorpio straddling the ascendant. The intense, oft time heated rhetoric of this election season will continue right up to the end. Moon and Mercury are still in aspect. The Virgo Moon and Scorpio Ascendant insure that the public is looking at this election, the candidate and the issues with x-ray vision. The polls and pundits are missing something and we won’t find out what that something is until the polls close and the ballots are counted.

The Week Ahead – October 10, 2010

Sunday, October 10, 2010 Moon enters Sagittarius at 6:09 PM EDT and enthusiasm takes over. Sagittarius Moon ruled by Jupiter likes big ideas, big action and big adventures. There is a warm, friendliness in the air coupled with a feeling of restlessness. Independence spurs an itch to travel and/or participate in sporting events. The Moon goes Void of Course on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 8:07 PM EDT. The Void period ends at 12:17 AM EDT on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 when Moon enters sober Capricorn. We are cured of the travel bug and settle down to the business at hand. Enthusiasm gives way to pessimism. The best thing to do now is to concentrate on the job at hand, the tasks before you. Good feelings come from accomplishment, creating structure and form around you and getting organized. Capricorn Moon triggers our ambition and favors work that will advance our cause. The First Quarter Moon occurs on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 5:27 PM EDT. “Stuff” happens, action is taken and decisions are made around the Quarter Moons. The Quarter Moon occurs with the Sun in Libra and the Moon in Capricorn. The Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will feel the agitation of this Quarter Moon and will continue to do so as the energy builds to the Full Moon next week at 29 Aries/Libra. At this Quarter Moon the Libra/Capricorn energies speak to concrete issues involving relationships, negotiations, career path and public image. Cardinal signs are great for starting and initiating and the waxing phase of the Moon brings energy to that impetus. The decisions of this Quarter Moon may well be about beginnings, getting started, and taking a first step. The Moon goes Void of Course on Friday, October 15, 2010 at 5:49 AM EDT until 10:24 AM EDT when the Aquarius mode takes over. People get friendly under Aquarius Moon. They also want to come and go as they please and express themselves in a unique and personal way. This is a great time to get together with a group that shares the same cause or purpose, especially if that cause is to benefit mankind in some fashion. This is a good weekend to expand your social network and to make new connections. Be ready for the spontaneous and take advantage of it. Be aware that we are still under the Venus Retrograde in Scorpio. Venus runs on an eight year cycle, thus is retrograde in the same sign every eight years. We have completed that cycle and are now beginning anew. Think back to your own life experiences of eight years ago; where were you, where were you going and what were you doing. Remember, Venus has to do with what we value, what matters to us not only the love and money aspects of our lives. Another Venus fact is that every eight years at your Solar Return you experience a Venus Return at the same time. This is a very personal, individual eight year cycle. At any birthday, the best gift you can give yourself is the gift of a consultation with an Astrologer.

Moon and Mercury Set the Stage For a Wild Weekend.

We begin the month of October with the Moon in Cancer. Moon is at home in Cancer and operates at full bore here. Emotion run high, sensitivity ratchets up and we all need to give or get a hug. Be aware of this heightened sensitivity as you negotiate the mine field of emotions until Moon enters Leo on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 2:21 PM EDT. Creative enthusiasm reigns under Leo Moon. Our true selves emerge and we want to be recognized for our special gifts. And we all have them. Mercury plays a big roll this weekend as well. Mercury reigns over transport, trade, ideas, the highway, the byway, the daily commute, bus/train stations, airports as well as news and information. On Friday, Mercury opposes Jupiter. Jupiter rules philosophies, belief systems, the judiciary, foreigners and foreign travel. Jupiter is a big guy and he brings “lots of”. Since both planets have to do with writing, publishing and the media we might expect some bombshell news event over the weekend. This is further indicated by Mercury’s opposition to Mr. Surprise, Uranus on Saturday morning. Uranus represents the urge for freedom, the innovative, the unexpected and the unusual. When Uranus comes calling, you can review every possibility that comes to mind and Uranus will still surprise you. In addition to revolutions and such Uranus brings events in the natural world, earthquakes, violent weather etc. (Here in the Northeast we are experiencing some of that wild weather) On Sunday morning Mercury leaves the dust of Virgo behind and enters Libra. Mercury in Libra talks nice, negotiates and pours oil on troubled waters. Do not be lulled or gulled by the smooth talkers. Mercury often acts as a trigger for events set up by the outer slower moving planets. So hang on to your hat and get ready to Rock and Roll.

Last Quarter Moon - Incorporate, Assimilate and Meditate.

Moon in Taurus keeps us grounded and cautious. We get emotional about our money, possessions and sense of security. Our “stuff” takes on greater importance. Venus ruled Taurus indicates a time to enjoy beautiful things of an earthly nature, sunrise, sunset and moonrise. Moon goes void of course on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 7:13 PM EDT and enters Gemini about an hour later at 8:19 PM EDT. Air sign Gemini moon lightens things up a bit; we are motivated by the intellect rather than the gut. It is easy to see both sides of the picture and because of this we often have difficulty making up our minds. There is a certain busyness, a talkativeness and restlessness about this moon. This moon is great for writers and communicators. The Last Quarter Moon occurs on Wednesday, September 1, 2010. Quarter moons are times of crisis and action. The waning phase is a time for introspection and assimilation. This current cycle began with the New Moon in Leo. The New Moon plants the seed, at the Full Moon that seed is in full blossom. Now as the moon wanes we incorporate what we have learned and prepare for the next phase to begin. Completion is the key word here. Finish what has been started rather than beginning something new. Wait until the New Moon on September 8, 2010 to initiate the new. The Gemini Moon goes void of course on Friday, September 3rd at 1:40 AM EDT until 2:50 AM EDT. At this time Moon slides into the welcoming arms of Cancer. This is where moon belongs, home base; the emotional nature of the moon flourishes here. We become a little more sensitive, tend to get weepy and sentimental and need to nurture or be nurtured. This is gut reaction time where the intellect takes a back seat. Beware of the over stocked Buffet line while moon travels through Cancer as food brings a great deal of comfort to the sensitive soul. On Friday, sun conjoins a retrograde Mercury, so be sure to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. On Saturday, Venus makes a lovely trine, an aspect of ease, to Neptune. This could be true love, soul mate time or bring the great deceiver into play. Be sure you are seeing things as they really are not how you want them to be. A concert, a visit to an art gallery or a meditation brings the positive qualities of this aspect to the fore. This is a great week to quietly adjust to any recent changes in your life and to prepare for the New Moon and upcoming planetary shifts in store for next week. Stay tuned.

Feel Like You Are Riding a Roller Coaster? You Are.

Right now we are hip deep into the most volatile period of the year. I have written about the converging cycles of the outer planets that reach their crescendo during the summer months of 2010. So here we are in the thick of it. Jupiter squares (90 degree angle) Pluto today, July 24, 2010 at 9:51 PM EDT. Saturn will make the 5th and last opposition to Uranus on Monday, July 26, 2010. The first of this series occurred on Election Day in 2008, and the election mirrored the symbolism of these two in opposition, old/young, tradition/innovation, and the conventional as opposed to the revolutionary. Obama not only changed the game because he was the first black President but also in the way he raised massive amount of money through small donations. Prior to this, that kind of money was only raised through rich, powerful people and entities. By the end of the week, Mars will move into Libra and will first oppose youthful revolutionary Uranus on Friday and on Saturday he will join hands with conservative Saturn. The first week of August, Jupiter will once again square off with Pluto. Mars will join the party, with an opposition to Jupiter and a square to Pluto. What Mars brings to the table is military action, a bit of strife, and a willingness to dispute or fight. If your birthday falls during this period, these energies will be present in your Solar Return, the Solar Return chart is a strong indicator of the types of issues, events and action you will be dealing with for the upcoming year. These major aspects occur and affect the early degrees of the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn as well. So if your birthday falls between the 19th and 27th of March, June, September and December you can expect the Rock and Roll that your life has become to continue for awhile. These are life changing times for you. At times the outside events bring great change to your life but often there is an inner change that occurs that can be or bring about an enormous change. For all of us we can expect weather related events, fluctuation in the stock market and financial world, a few natural or manmade disasters, a diplomatic or international crisis or two to add to the fear and terror many feel when the world around them is changing. During these troubling times a little meditation goes a long way. Find your still center, this is the calm in the center of the storm, this is your true north. Listen, breathe, this too shall pass.

Solar Eclipse, Sunday, July 11, 2010

This week brings the New Moon of July 11, 2010, a total Solar Eclipse visible across the Pacific and lower South America. The New Moon energy is felt for the entire lunar month. With a Solar Eclipse the impact is felt for a longer period. If the Solar Eclipse is up close and personal with a planet or personal point in your chart you can expect a year of change. The planet/s touched by the eclipse and the house it falls in give you an idea where the action will take place. A tenth house eclipse might signal a career change, a new boss or a shift in your life’s direction. An eclipse conjunct a personal planet like moon (emotions, Mom), Mercury (communication, siblings), Venus (love, money, relationships) or Mars (energy, action) will shake up the issues associated with that planet. This eclipse, sun and moon are in a close aspect with the planet Mars situated 60 degrees away in the sign of Virgo. This type of aspect brings opportunity through connections or networking. The eclipse itself is in Cancer, the sign of home and family. Here in the United States, the chart set for Washington, DC, the eclipse falls in the 9th house of international relationships. International affairs, diplomacy, courts and religion take center stage. We are within the time band of the stressful configuration between the outer planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto. Around the Full Moon, Saturn and Uranus make their 5th and final opposition in the series that began on Election Day in 2008. This Solar Eclipse serves to stir up the conflicts, issues and personalities that frame the present day. Worthy and unworthy individuals will rise and fall. Political change is a given. Treaty violations, border disputes create international incidents requiring delicate diplomacy. Women play an important role in these affairs. Wall Street will try to wiggle out of any regulation. The end of July will see more scandals involving important people involving finances, the environment or the low down cheating spouse; or all of the above. A natural eruption, flood or major storm stretches an already stretched budget. As much as we try to ignore and insulate ourselves from the discord around us it becomes nearly impossible. Remember to breathe.

David Cicilline a Rhode Island Kinda Guy

Yesterday David Cicilline formally kicked off his campaign for Congress. David Cicilline has a brother who is a convicted felon, a father who is a mob lawyer and he is gay. He’s a Rhode Island kinda guy, you know what I mean? Cicilline’s a Cancer with, I am fairly certain, a Leo Moon. Cancer’s love to nurture and be nurtured, they are sensitive and at times moody. His Leo Moon loves the spotlight. With Mercury in Cancer he speaks what he feels. David also has a wide, out of sign conjunction between Saturn and Jupiter. Saturn is strong in Capricorn. Saturn rules the father in a natal chart. His father is strong and powerful making a deep impression upon him but the relationship was not without problems. At the same time the relationship brought great benefits. A familiar conundrum many of us face. We have known for months that David Cicilline is running for Congress but the formal kick off is an important event and the chart for that time offers clues to how the campaign will go. Yesterday transiting Venus was sitting on top of David’s Sun. Venus is considered the “lesser benefic” bringing good fortune wherever she goes. Venus attracts. Venus is an important planet in David Cicilline’s natal chart. He leads with that Venus. Transiting Mars had just shifted gears moving from Leo to Virgo bringing a lot of energy to his Leo and Virgo planets. He is going to attract a lot of money, make important connections and put on a “really big show”. On Primary day transiting Mercury (the vote, the polls,) hugs his natal Pluto (power, control, masses of people) and transiting Pluto opposes his natal Mercury. He has a lot of action going on between his natal planetary positions and the current planetary positions, as all the candidates usually do and like Patrick Lynch, who is running for Governor, he has made his candidacy formal under the very powerful conjunction between Jupiter and Uranus. The planetary lineup on Primary Day indicates to me that that is where the action is. It is going to be an interesting day and not without a number of surprises. Cicilline is running with that energy. His opponents are Bill Lynch and David Segal with Anthony Gemma expected to join the race. This campaign season promises upsets, surprise and unexpected events. Stay tuned and keep your eye peeled for the proverbial monkey wrench.

Patrick Kennedy’s Rant about Afghanistan and the Media

I watched the clip of Patrick Kennedy’s rant about Afghanistan and the failed media. Now that boys and girls is an Aquarian Rant, an impassioned plea concerning an injustice. In this case the fact that American men and women are dying on foreign soil and the media is blowing smoke up our ass about the latest sex scandal is a scandal itself. The media reports about this speech are all about his shaking hands, his voice and speculation about his mental state. So once again I take a peek at Patrick’s horoscope and the horoscope for the time of the event to make a comparison between the two. First Patrick and the shaking hands, which I don’t think has anything to do with drugs or alcohol. Patrick is a Cancer with Scorpio Rising. The Rising Sign or Ascendant is the sign that was on the horizon at the moment of birth. The time and place of birth determine what this sign will be. The Ascendant describes the personality, gives the first impression and is reflected in the native’s mannerism and style. With a Scorpio Rising Patrick is a private person. The public façade is very different from the private person. With the Sun and Mercury in the 9th house and Mars and Moon in the 12th house, the need for privacy and to remain behind the scenes is strengthened because these houses are private houses. The privacy urge is enhanced with planets in those houses. Another important point in the horoscope is the Midheaven which represents the native’s ideals and public image. Patrick’s Midheaven is in the show business sign of Leo. Leo likes the spotlight and center stage, think Obama and Bill Clinton and you’ll get the picture. This really contradicts Patrick’s core structure. Being in the public is a real chore for him. Public speaking has to be an ordeal for him. But with Leo at the Midheaven, he has no choice. With Mars and Moon in the 12th house he has to serve or suffer. At the time of the speech, I noted that Patrick took the podium at 3:06 PM EST. The horoscope for that moment puts the sign Leo on the Ascendant, or Leo was rising at the time, the degrees nearly conjunct or the same as the degrees on Patrick’s very public, very showy, Midheaven. He could have spoken as sedately as an old Granny and he still would have made headlines. The Moon at the time was at 25 degrees of Capricorn squaring (90 degrees) Patrick’s Mars and Moon. This is an aspect of stress but also an aspect of action, stuff gets done when planets are in square. That Patrick made this speech a few hours after Mars went direct is telling. Mars pumps up the action (Witness Obama taking his health care pitch on the road this week). Patrick has been thinking about this for a long time. Not about this particular subject, but about speaking in public in general. He knows it is not his strongest feature and at times he does not present well. He’s not a natural like Jack or Ted but he does have the heart and the convictions. I say, damn the public image Patrick and speak your truth.

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.

Patrick Kennedy's Surprise Announcement

Ever since Patrick Kennedy announced that he would not be running for reelection there have been so many names thrown around about possible candidates that it is hard to keep track of. I said it before on this blog that the September Primary election was where the action was going to be and I was not wrong. Patrick Kennedy has stated that he made the decision over the Christmas holidays. As an Astrologer it is interesting to note that transiting Mars had just gone retrograde in his 10th house of career and that Mars rules his Natal Ascendant, (the personality, the physical body) and his 6th house of work and service. Retrograde periods are times of review and revision. So contemplation about work, career, health and service would find the way on his to do list. On the outside looking in we deal with what is public about his life. Father’s illness and passing, political challenges and personal demons he has quite openly wrestled with. But we can’t crawl inside his head. A major life cycle change in a person’s life occurs when transiting Uranus, an 84 year cycle, opposes its natal position. This is a transit that Patrick has been experiencing over the last year or so. This also brings the sudden and unexpected into the picture. His decision has left the field wide open. Today, William Lynch, brother of Patrick Lynch has formally announced his candidacy. He should have waited until tomorrow, after the New Moon. Other names bandied about are Ralph Mollis, Theresa Paiva-Weed, Scorpio John Brien, Cancer David Cicilline and Aries Elizabeth Roberts. I think we may be hearing from Aquarius Stephen Laffey. I’m betting he won’t announce until mid March. Whoever or whenever, this political season here in Rhode Island reflects the change that is in the air across the country. Scott Brown in Massachusetts, a signal of voter discontent with the status quo, is a warning to all incumbents. Even former Presidential candidate John McCain is facing a serious challenge in his home state of Arizona. As I have written previously, 2010 is the year. Stay tuned.

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.

John Edwards, Andrew Young, Rielle Hunter and the Video

Then sordid saga of John Edwards and his sordid affair with Rielle Hunter continues with reports of a video that depicts the two in a very personal and intimate situation. Today, the Andrew Young’s, the family that housed Ms. Hunter while she was pregnant and the Andrew Young who said that he was the father, are in court over possession of that video. Rielle Hunter says the video was made in September of 2006. The Young’s say that the video depicts Edwards having sex with a woman who is not Elizabeth Edwards and that the woman in the video is visibly pregnant. So they claim they are not talking about the same video. Got that so far? The Young’s are contesting a court order that restrains them from distributing the video and that seeks to return the video to Ms. Hunter. They claim that she abandoned the tape when she was living with them, throwing it in the trash and made no effort to recover it until two years after she left their home. She throws the video away; they dig it out of the trash. Nice people we are dealing with here. Gemini John Edwards has spent many long years with Elizabeth Edwards, a nurturing Cancer, a cardinal and at times manipulative sign. She also has Mars, the action planet, and Mercury, the thinker and talker, in Gemini, smack dab on John Edwards Gemini Sun. She is/was definitely a driving force behind her husband. Being a Cancer, she is the Mommy type, kissing and hugging and treating everyone around her like her kids. Up steps Rielle Hunter, an Aries, another cardinal sign but as unlike a Cancer as one can get. This is a me first sign. Mutable Gemini’s are flexible, changeable and easily bored. Aries and Cancers are Cardinal signs that push and initiate. Rielle is a 60’s baby with the powerful Uranus/Pluto conjunction in Virgo that neatly squares John Edwards’ Jupiter and Sun. Her Mars in Pisces squares his Mars in Gemini as well. Now squares are not pleasant aspects but they do make things happen. Edwards’ is easily led, and Rielle easily leads. Enter Andrew Young, another Aries. He too has the powerful Uranus/Pluto conjunction in Virgo squaring Edwards’ cluster of Gemini planets. Rielle and Young, the two Aries, may butt heads often but there is more in sync between them than between them and Edwards. There is more to this video than meets the eye. Edward’s is a scumbag who cheated on his wife and lied, denied and jumped through every kind of hoop to escape detection. But is he stupid enough to make a video? Is Rielle stupid enough to throw it away? Do the Young’s normally go through their house guest’s trash? This never ending saga continues. What is really up here? A clue, remember what Deep Throat said to Bob Woodward while lurking in the parking garage, “Follow the money.”