Mars in Virgo is finally turning direct, April 15 2012, cause for celebration

This Roman statue of the God Mars,complete with war helmet and a broken nose, and infused with the colour and texture of the Red Planet itself, seems an appropriate incarnation of this planetary energy: bold, but also rush, often getting hurt during his daring feats, due to lack of patience and forethought.

If you had a project for any reason confined to the back burner (a common effect of Mars Retrograde) it is time now to push ahead with it again. With Mars turning Stationary Direct yesterday the energy is right to move forward. This will be true especially if, during the Retro period, you have  made an effort to tie all the loose ends, touching up on the details. The God of Action and Enterprise, now on your side, could provide you with the courage and energy necessary to overcome obstacles that may have seem insurmountable before.

At the end of this article you can find the post I wrote, late last year, about the Retrogradation of Mars in Virgo (January 24 to April 14).

The energy of Virgo though could still put a spoke in your wheels if you become too particular and finicky about something, trying to achieve an impossible level of perfection. Humbly accepting and acknowledging one’s shortcoming and the natural limitations of the situation will help to ground your dreams and make them into feasible realities. The atmosphere of Virgo is such as to make any planet acts in a more practical and realistic fashion, including hot headed Mars.

The Martial drive can in fact become very useful in the skillful hands of Virgo, Sign of craftsmanship and service, so that a lot can be accomplished in a short time and with great accuracy. The transit of Mars through Virgo will last until July 3. The people most likely to be directly affected by this transit are those who have the following Signs highlighted in their Birth Charts: Virgo (via conjunction), Pisces (via opposition), Gemini and Sagittarius (via square), Taurus and Capricorn (via trine). Also those who have Aries Ascendant, Sun or Moon, are in direct line of influence of this transit, because Mars’ transits, this planet being Aries’ natural ruler, will always be important in their lives.

Tomorrow, April 17, Mercury will re-enter Aries in Direct motion, after ending his Retro period on April 4. Mercury will transit Aries until May 9. This is also important with reference to Mars in Virgo because the two planets will then be in Mutual Reception, meaning that each occupies the Sign traditionally ruled by the other. This sort of connection reinforces the mutual effect of the two planetary energies, in a similar way as a positive aspect would. Both physical (Mars) and mental activities (Mercury) will take on the Martial character of decisiveness, assertiveness, confidence, Mercury providing the brain and Mars the brawn, so to speak. We could all feel more enterprising and also more practical.

The transits of Mars and others, active at the same time, have filled my daily life with many things, too many, in fact, hence the difficulties in finding time to sit down and just write. Extreme busy-ness is often a problem with Virgo’s transits, when we get trapped in a million things to do, duties, deadlines, chores, and time for reflection is pushed aside until the sleepy hours, when mental and psychic energies are ebbing, and much effort can bear only  poor results. First Mercury turning Direct, on April 5, and now Mars doing the same, will hopefully help me and others to regain focus, the concentration needed to achieve results.

The Retrogradation of Mars in Virgo

Amongst the most important astrological events of the start of 2012 will be the lengthy retrogradation of Mars in Virgo, from January 24 to April 14. Mars will enter the next Sign of Libra only in early July 2012, after having transited Virgo for a whooping eight months, since November 2011!

The fact that Virgo is highlighted here shows a need to adjust our daily routine, clean our acts, tackling those jobs we always find a good excuse not to do. Making our space at work and home clear of clutter, organizing everything in a more rational way will contribute to efficiency and better practical outcomes.

The tendency of people influenced by Virgo to become engrossed in details of no consequence will be tested during the Mars’ retrograde period when opportunities will arise to look into our habits (from diet to work), and experience, in a more acute way, the anxieties brought about by the inability to stick to priorities.

The birthdays directly aligned to Mars retro in Virgo are: Virgo (August 26/September 16), Pisces (February 21/March 14), Gemini (May 24/June 14), and Sagittarius (November 25/December 15).

It could be difficult for many of us to freely express our passions and highly charged emotions or to go after what we want in an effective way. This could be true for the birthdays given and also for those whose Mars was in a prominent or difficult position at birth. In particular individuals who had Mars transiting Virgo the day they were born and will experience the all important two yearly Mars’ Return during the retro period (end of January to mid-April).

When Mars moves retrograde his energy, usually spontaneous and outgoing, is somewhat internalized, to serve psychic rather than physical purposes. There arise the need for re-thinking the way we go about asserting ourselves, our modalities of action, in our personal lives as well as communities of people and nations.

If our habitual behavior has often created strife and attracted opposition in the past perhaps now is the right time to look into these issues and the way we normally handle conflicts in our lives.  Because Mars, during retrogradation, becomes somewhat frustrated in his desire for action, we got to find another way to deal with anger, and with all the unspent energy that boils beneath the surface.  Virgo suggests taking up a discipline or healthy routine that could help dealing with the unspent energy and the unending frustrations and irritations of daily life (Virgo’s stuff).

The war of the mirrors: Venus opposition Mars at the Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon in Taurus occurs always while the Sun is in Aquarius, a critical time in the yearly Sun-Moon’s cycle, when emotional attachments and need for good old fashion security (Taurus Moon) seem to be at odds with the drive for a more independent life outside intimate and familiar relationships (Aquarius Sun). To make this conflict more obvious this year an opposition Venus-Mars falls very close to this phase. On February 1 or 2 (depending where you happen to be in the world) Venus in Pisces approaches the opposition to Mars in direct motion while Mars also applies to the same aspect in retro motion. This is a more significant coming together than a regular aspect when the swifter planet only forms the required angle. In this case they both do.

This is a typical attraction/repulsion transit: we want to relate, we may even feel that it is very important at this time to relate well, exchanging ideas and feelings, but there may be too much projection, too many mirrors, held by everyone, blinding us to the fact that what we see in others (antagonists, lovers, friends) is an exaggerated reflection of our own complexes, those emotional responses that we are not in the habit of questioning.

There is also a third party here; it is Mercury in semi-square (45 degrees apart from) Venus and in sesqui-square (135 degrees apart from) Mars. This complicates the opposition adding mental inflexibility, with the inability to really listen to what the other is saying, because one is too sure to be ideologically right. Venus in Pisces is favouring a feeling based approach, while Mars in Virgo a more analytical and realistic approach. In the way they view relationships Pisces and Virgo are two worlds apart. Pisces is driven by the desire to merge with the other person, sensually and emotionally, at the cost of losing one’s sense of personal identity. Virgo is instead seeking more an union of minds and practical support in relationships.

This transit will affect all of us in some way, its effect lasting a few days. The individuals more directly aligned to it are Virgo born September 14 to 16, Pisces born March 12 to 14, Gemini born June 12 to 14, and Sagittarius born December 13 to 15. To a lesser degree also Cancer born July 14 to 16, Scorpio born November 14 to 16, Taurus born May 12 to 14, and Capricorn born January 12 to 14. Or anyone with the Moon, any planet, one of the four Angles (Ascendant, Descendant, Mid-Heaven, Lower-Heaven) or the Lunar Nodes around the 21st, 22nd, 23rd degrees of the same Signs.

For all this transit is an opportunity to become more aware of psychological projections. Due to the fact that Mars is moving  backward, this aspect will also bring up old relationship issues, stuff we perhaps thought we dealt with and solved in the past, and that are now instead re-emerging.

So if you find yourself shouting at someone close, during these few days, you may want to look perhaps into the reasons you are both getting so emotional about certain issues. What i it that is making those issues so sensitive? If we were really suddenly aware of the enormity of the projections enacted on both side in our close relationships we would probably be horrified. Ignorance is bliss, as far as projections are concerned. Trouble starts as soon as we become aware, even only partially, of what the other person is allegedly trying to blame us for, to saddle us with. Healing however begins to take place only when we start realizing about our own unconscious projections onto others. It is a war of mirrors.

The aftermath of the Aquarius New Moon 2012

Prosperity and luck are the gifts the Dragon brings to the New Year. Let's hope it is so, this world needing all the luck it can get. The Water Dragon is a less fiery fellow than his siblings. Cautious and diplomatic this Dragon achieves success via patience and perseverance, without compromising his ambition and natural leading abilities.

Rain, serious rain has come to our and surrounding regions, in New South Wales and Queensland. The system is now developing into a possibly major flood event. This is a pattern I have seen here many years ago, when the tail of the tropical monsoon announces the end of summer proper for us in the sub-tropics.

Rivers and creeks are overflowing their banks. All vegetation is intensely green, shiny with water, drooping toward the soggy ground. The slopy path where the doggies and I walk has been transformed overnight into a liquid staircase; rocks, pebbles and dirt rearranged in dramatic ways.

No wonder. All started with the Water Bearer New Moon, on the 23rd, gate to the lunar year of the Water Dragon, while Venus and Chiron are swimming in the ocean of Pisces, and Neptune is on the threshold of the same watery realm, his contact with Saturn (trine) making the oceanic effect more palpable.

The Sun and Moon are together at the New Moon and so also share the same planetary aspects. The most important amongst these is the Tsquare with Jupiter and Saturn, themselves in an out of Signs opposition. I discussed the T-square Sun-Jupiter-Saturn at length in an earlier post HERE. So the New Moon gives her blessing to the Sun ingress into Aquarius, providing a vessel for the manifestation of the T-square also. With the next New Moon in early Pisces the Aquarius period will correspond precisely to a lunar month, the opposition Jupiter-Saturn and the ingress of Neptune in Pisces (on February 4) the most important events. The sea saw effect of the Jupiter-Saturn’s opposition unfolding while Mars begins to move retrograde shows the need for reconsidering all sorts of issues this month and get back to real basic. For us it could mean cooking on an outdoor fire and working hard to keep things for becoming moldy. It is that sort of rain, frog weather.

I reproduce here something I wrote for the February/March edition of the Uki News, concerning the Retrogradation of Mars that started his Retro Station on the 24th degree of Virgo just around the Aquarius New Moon, so connected with it.

“Of immediate interest to everyone is the Retrogradation of Mars in Virgo (January23-April15), a ‘get back to basic’ transit, lasting until early July. Virgo is a thrifty, crafty and responsible character, helping to ground the fiery Martial energy by directing it into practical tasks and routines.

Mars retracing his step in Virgo could be busy taking care of the little things, all the crummy and cluttered corners of one’s life; or doing some adding and subtracting, accounting, budgeting, so important for the smooth running of every household or business. Few key words: de-cluttering; spring/autumn cleaning; various chores, the more humble the better; detoxifying; dieting; exercising; having  health check; learning the language of your body in order to heal; trying vegetarian, vegan, it’s your pick. Spiritually Virgo is the Sign of purity and selfless service, also of ritual Earth Magic.”

This Moon phase will be particularly significant for Aquarius, born January 22 to 24 (by conjunction); Leo, born July 23 to 25 (by opposition); Taurus, born April 21 to 23 and Scorpio, October 24 to 26 (by square); Gemini, May 22 to 24 and Libra, born September 24 to 26 (by trine).

Other Transits I notice at this time are Uranus conjunct Ceres in Aries (comments welcome on this one. I am looking up major mundane events under the same conjunction). The Sun and Moon in sextile to Uranus and Ceres. Then Mercury in Capricorn trine Stationary Mars in Virgo.

Due to the flood I am unable to get to my office, my main power supply. Our solar batteries power is very low and so I can’t waffle on as usual. Here though is a Chart of the recent Aquarius New Moon calculated for our local coordinates. See any flood in it? Keep me posted if you have any idea you want to share about the weather or other topics. Always happy to hear from you.

click to view larger image

Another Eclipse from the cold, Sagittarius 02, November 25, 2011

'The Water Babies' North Pole Fairy, 1916, by Jessie Willcox Smith

We are entering another Eclipse season, the last of 2011. Two Eclipses are on the cards: a Partial Solar, at the Sagittarius New Moon, November 25, and a Total Lunar, at the Gemini Full Moon, December 10/11, depending where you are in the world.

At the Solar Eclipse, today, the Sun and Moon are aligned to the North Node, while the Lunar Eclipse will be aligned to the South Node (much closer alignment then the previous one, hence the totality of this future event).

The Solar Eclipse, the one I am discussing here, will be visible only partially from some places in New Zealand, Tasmania and South Africa and nearly in its entirety across Western Antarctica. The series to which this Eclipse belongs started near the North Pole in 1074 and will end at the South Pole in 2084, a relatively close date (considering Eclipses’ long cycles) . This means that the cycle of these particular series of Eclipses (Saros n.123) is closing, after nearly a thousand years running.

The Sun and Moon, conjunct at Eclipse time, will be on the second degree of Tropical Sagittarius. In direct line of contact with this Eclipse will be, by conjunction, Sagittarius (born November 24 to 26 ); by opposition, Gemini (born May 22 to 24); by square, Virgo (born August 24 to 26) and Pisces (born February 21 to 23); by trine,  Aries (born Marc 21 to 23) and Leo (born July 24 to 26).  Also anyone with Moon, any Birth Chart’s angles or planets between the first and third degrees of the same Signs.

Here is the Horoscope for this event, calculated for the local coordinates of Wollumbin (Mount Warning), Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.

click to view larger image

A new page is opening in your book of life, a new road worth taking. The Sun and Moon at Eclipse are conjunct the North Node of Future Destiny, the point where our choices create our future, where we are supposed to be going in order to evolve in the right direction.

The fact that the Eclipse coincides with the Station and Retrogradation of Mercury also in Sagittarius (20 degrees) shows how the general trend is for going inward or, alternatively, revisiting the past, rather than straight away beginning a new journey. It seems to me that these cosmic events may just provide the inner prompting for some meaningful changes to occur in the future, while a gestation period will be necessary to bring this new impulse to fruition (to view a post on the present Retrogradation of Mercury, please click HERE).

Solar Eclipses do not usually manifest as dramatic events (only sometimes), but rather as the memorable feeling of being onto something, an unconscious longing so compelling it might guide us, if we let it, toward a significant unfolding of consciousness and/or a life changing experience. Nothing much may change in our external circumstance, but becoming conscious of something we didn’t know, or having a glimpse of some longed for future potential/talent can open many doors, in particular those doors in our heart that have been close shut for a long time.

The Sagittarius’ emphasis of this Eclipse speaks of adventure, the desire to know, to experience the wide world, to travel, to learn, to share wisdom. The sky is truly the limit with Sagittarius. In fact a word of caution is always appropriate when this Sign is highlighted: ground your dreams, do not let them outdo what it’s really possible, or you may end up disappointed.

The Eclipse degree is forming aspects with Uranus in Aries (trine 120 degrees angle), Mars in Virgo, Chiron in Pisces and Neptune in Aquarius (squares, 90 degrees angles), and also Jupiter (quincunx,150 degrees angle).

The trine to Uranus is very close therefore more powerful. This aspect too represents a strong urge for change and the desire to abandon the security of what we know well for the excitement of what we can discover and are tempted to try for the first time.

The Sun and Moon happen to be in square aspect to both Neptune in late Aquarius and Mars in early Virgo, in effect occupying a midpoint between those two, themselves just separating from an opposition. Here it seems to be enacted the chasm between the lofty dreams of Neptune in Airy Aquarius and the need for hard work in order to attain them, embodied by Mars in Earthy Virgo. The fact that Mars has just began an unusually long transit through Virgo shows me that the road ahead demands a spirit of sacrifice and real commitment if we want to manifest the best of the present planetary picture (click HERE for more on the transits of Mars in Virgo, November 11, 2011, to July 3, 2012, including Mars’ Retrogradation).

The contact with Jupiter in Taurus stands for the struggle to evolve and grow out of old patterns of thinking, beliefs that hinder our need for mental expansion and freedom of thought. It will take courage and faith to begin living according to the dictates of our own conscience rather than those we have been conditioned to follow.

Another striking feature of this Chart is a Grand Trine (equilateral triangle), active since mid-November, involving the three Earth Signs, with Mars in Virgo, Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn. This configuration could provide the grounding the lofty Sagittarius Eclipse needs  to bear its fruits of enthusiasm and freedom on the Earth plane. Mars in Virgo will help with the hard work needed, Jupiter in Taurus with a steady intent and devotion to the cause, and Pluto in Capricorn with the courage to eradicate from our lives those habits, occupations and relationships that no longer serve our soul purpose.

Happy Eclipse season to everyone.

A look into the future: 2012 Astrology, January to March

Apollo's Chariot III, by Odilon Redon

Welcome to my thoughts for the Capricorn Solstice season, January to March 2012.

Uranus Direct in Aries

Since December 2011 Uranus and Jupiter have resumed their direct motion, while Saturn is slowing down and will soon become Retrograde. The irrevocable dance of the planets continues.

When planets turn direct, after their retro period, the function they represent has the greater chance to be expressed outwardly in a positive and direct manner.

Uranus turned Stationary-Direct on December 10, 2011, around the time of the Gemini Total Lunar Eclipse, promising an accelerated pace of change for the next six months or so. This transit will strengthen the willingness to try new directions, moving on from the habitual and humdrum.

Uranus is said to be more dangerous and unpredictable in his effect when moving retrograde. The need for change is then more likely to implode, not finding suitable outlets for the release of his erratic energy, or to be squandered in anxious and nerve-wracking attempts to cut with the past. During the Direct motion instead Uranus’ intense drive can be more readily focused on external projects and active changes, often of a radical nature. This is the phase Uranus is entering now, until mid-July 2012.

To some of us Uranus in early Aries will offer the opportunity to implement changes we have been obsessing about for a while but lacked the ability or opportunity to make real. We are slowly being released from a period of high anxiety and erratic nervous energy, toward a period when we should feel more in charge, doing  things our own way.

Uranus’ transits over the Sun always entail an experience of individual uniqueness, bringing about some very independent choices.

This phase will be more keenly felt by the early Fire Signs: Aries (March 20/29), Leo (July 23/31), Sagittarius (November 22/30). With greater difficulty, by some early Cancer (June 21/July 1), Libra (September 22/30), and Capricorn (December 22/30) also.

Jupiter Direct in Taurus

Jupiter, has returned, in retro motion, to the start of Taurus, and has now began his journey in this Earth Sign all over again, hopefully this time enriched by greater practical wisdom and inspired by more realistic goals.

Amongst all the present planetary influences, until June 2012, Jupiter in Taurus will be a stabilizing factor. At the end of this season the third and last pass of the harmonious aspect between Jupiter and Pluto (March 13, 2012) could suggest some radical solutions, legislations and bills to find creative ways out of the general mess, practical and austere means to harmonize our natural needs for expansion and growth, our human arrogance and ambition (Jupiter) with the real ecological needs of the Planet, her dwindling resources, her desperate plight for regeneration and rebirth.

Since mid 2011 the Jupiter-Pluto’s contact has shown how it can be a very constructive and transformative influence. If integrated it could help the world to regenerate before it begins to degenerates beyond hope. They suggest finding wiser and more sustainable ways to interact with Earth’s resources, revealing riches and solving mysteries that have puzzled earthlings for thousands of years.

The long awaited first pass of the Uranus-Pluto’s  square, on June 24 2012, will give these grass roots aspirations enough fuel to make a big bang for the rest of 2012 and the whole (at least) of 2013 .

While Jupiter transits placid Taurus though growth is slowed down, everyone is looking for more security. Much energy can be stored in the root system of our psyche and the planet, for a few more months, because Jupiter in Gemini, from the second half of 2012, will have a much more buzzing and risk taking type of energy.

The aspirations of Jupiter, his flights of intuition all the way to divinity are now checked by the pragmatic solidity of Taurus. To feel contented with our lot could be the outcome of such a transit when used wisely. This will be especially true for the Earth Signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn; and also, perhaps in a more challenging way, for the Fixed Signs Scorpio, Leo, and Aquarius.

Saturn Stationary/Retrograde in Libra

As ever the forward dance of some of the giants is punctuated by the beginning of the backward dance of another.

Ringed Saturn turns Stationary/Retrograde on February 8, on the very last degree of the Sign Libra. Scorpios will have to wait until October to welcome Saturn in their mist.

From January to October 2012 Saturn will contact, in turn, the Sun degree of some Libra (October 17/24), Aries (April 13/20), Cancer (July 16/23), Capricorn (January 13/20); and, more gently, also Gemini (June 14/21), and Aquarius (February 12/19). A retrogradation of Saturn over someone’s Sun manifests often as a sort of test, things appear harder than usual, and, in some cases, life seems to have lost its meaning, depression easily settling in, when hope is lost.

It is a reality test. Can you take it without crumbling into many pieces? After this honest look at your life what have you learnt from Saturn? Which areas of your life need the most urgent work, restructuring, making more efficient? Often it comes down to a realization that you pay for everything and there aren’t many easy rides in this world.

Three different generations are also experiencing their respective Saturn’s Return in late Libra, over the next seven months. These are coming of age transits, to more fully embrace who we have become and begin to appreciate the cycle ahead of us, no matter our age. Growing up has its moments of sadness, to be sure, but also many rewards, the sort we appreciate only at the right age, and not a moment before. That’s why Saturn was known as the Lord of Time, dispensing the wisdom that comes from experience, and hard ego-building work.

The Saturn-Return’s generations comprise:  the very old, now in their nineties, born October / December 1923, and April/September 1924. The Baby Boomers, in their sixties, born November 1952/ April 1953, and August 1953/October 1953. And the Saturnine Youngsters, turning just thirty, lucky them, born October/December 1982, and May/August 1983.

The Retrogradation of Mars in Virgo

Amongst the most important astrological events of the start of 2012 will be the lengthy retrogradation of Mars in Virgo, from January 24 to April 14. Mars will enter the next Sign of Libra only in early July 2012, after having transited Virgo for a whooping eight months, since November 2011!

The fact that Virgo is highlighted here shows a need to adjust our daily routine, clean our acts, tackling those jobs we always find a good excuse not to do. Making our space at work and home clear of clutter, organizing everything in a more rational way will contribute to efficiency and better practical outcomes.

The tendency of people influenced by Virgo to become engrossed in details of no consequence will be tested during the Mars’ retrograde period when opportunities will arise to look into our habits (from diet to work), and experience, in a more acute way, the anxieties brought about by the inability to stick to priorities.

The birthdays directly aligned to Mars retro in Virgo are: Virgo (August 26/September 16), Pisces (February 21/March 14), Gemini (May 24/June 14), and Sagittarius (November 25/December 15).

It could be difficult for many of us to freely express our passions and highly charged emotions or to go after what we want in an effective way. This could be true for the birthdays given and also for those whose Mars was in a prominent or difficult position at birth. In particular individuals who had Mars transiting Virgo the day they were born and will experience the all important two yearly Mars’ Return during the retro period (end of January to mid-April).

When Mars moves retrograde his energy, usually spontaneous and outgoing, is somewhat internalized, to serve psychic rather than physical purposes. There arise the need for re-thinking the way we go about asserting ourselves, our modalities of action, in our personal lives as well as communities of people and nations.

If our habitual behavior has often created strife and attracted opposition in the past perhaps now is the right time to look into these issues and the way we normally handle conflicts in our lives.  Because Mars, during retrogradation, becomes somewhat frustrated in his desire for action, we got to find another way to deal with anger, and with all the unspent energy that boils beneath the surface.  Virgo suggests taking up a discipline or healthy routine that could help dealing with the unspent energy and the unending frustrations and irritations of daily life (Virgo’s stuff).

Neptune returning to Pisces

After six months spell in Aquarius, Neptune finally returns to Pisces on February 4, to stay in this Water Sign until 2025. This transit will define an epoch in human history, reflecting on our spiritual and aesthetic values for years to come.

As our daily lives become more and more impacted by the momentous adjustments and disruptions all around us, Neptune in Pisces can show us transcendental ways to navigate the troubled waters of the present, enhancing creativity, imagination and compassion. There will be a sense of underlying unity between us and the planet, a striving toward greater integration amongst races, religions and ideologies, in the face of the still polarized situation on the surface of things. Outlasting many other transits that preoccupy astrologers at the present time, this influence gives us real hope that we will be guided toward greater spiritual unity in the next decade and beyond. The fate of the planet, I feel, depends very much on the way we will be able to embrace Neptune in Pisces, avoiding its downside of extreme passivity and escapism.

This season the birthday people touched by Neptune will be the early Water and Mutable Signs: Pisces (February 19/22), Cancer (June 21/24), Scorpio (October 23/26), Virgo (August 23/26), Gemini (May 21/24), and Sagittarius (November 22/25). You will feel, in a quiet space within, growing like a pool slowly filled by spring rains, a new dimension of being. This could open your perception to intangible realities, making you long for more love and creative joy in your life, refusing to be caged in by routines and duties.

It is a poignant fact that, while Neptune shifts into Pisces, Mars is making his difficult transit through the opposite-complementary Sign of Virgo. These transits should help us see two apparently opposite ways of experiencing the world: one free of per-conceived ideas, easy flowing, imaginative and creative (Pisces), the other limited by necessities and struggling to manifest the dream into practical reality (Virgo). This polarity is vital though, because, if Pisces and Neptune are the soul’s life of the planet, imbued with the vision of earthly and unearthly paradises, ultimately no real good work could be accomplished without Mars’ drive and Virgo’s dutifulness.

Happy transits, everyone.

Transits September to December 2011

FROM THE LIBRA EQUINOX TO THE CAPRICORN SOLSTICE

Apollo’s Chariot by Odilon Redon

Welcome to my thoughts for this Equinox season, September to December 2011. Here are some of the highlights, for the slower moving planets:

Pluto is ending his retro period on September 17, plodding along Capricorn, between degree 4 and 7, up to the end of the year.

Neptune has now returned to Aquarius and will continue transiting the last two degrees of this Sign until early February 2012.

Uranus is now retreating through Aries, in retro motion until December 10, between the 3^rd and naught degree, still shy of the upcoming square to Pluto in Capricorn, that will become exact only in June 2012, but was very close recently.

Chiron will be turning Direct, like Neptune, in November, still transiting the first two degrees of Pisces.

Saturn will reach the last degree of Libra at the end of this season, but it will not be leaving Libra yet, becoming retrograde in early 2012 and thus entering Scorpio only in October 2012.

Jupiter continues his yearly transit through Taurus, in retro motion during the period under consideration, between degree 10 and naught of Taurus, forming the only significant outer planets’ transit for the season, the second pass of the trine to Pluto in Capricorn, exact on October 29. The third and last pass of this important transit will not be until March 2012. Jupiter will turn Direct on December 26.

Here are the Charts of the Sun ingress into Libra in September and Capricorn in December 2011, calculated for the coordinates of Canberra, Australian national capital.

Sun ingress into Libra, September 23, 2011

Sun ingress into Capricorn, December 22, 2011

Focus on Jupiter and Pluto

This season Jupiter continues his transit in Taurus that will end in June 2012. The giant planet is moving in retro motion, at present, forming the only significant outer planets’ transit for the season, the trine to Pluto in Capricorn, exact on October 29. This is the second time the two cosmic brothers exchange energies this year; the first pass of this Transit exact in July 2011 and the third scheduled for March 2012. Jupiter will turn Direct on December 26.

I’ll discuss the possible negative implications of the Jupiter-Pluto’s contact first.

Despite the mild reputation of the trine aspect, often not well deserved in my experience, the connection of Jupiter and Pluto in conservative Earth Signs could foster fanatical and extremist views on all sides of the political and social spectrum, worsening sectarian conflicts around the world.

Jupiter self-righteousness (the “God is on our side’ syndrome) combined with Pluto’s ruthless lust for power could cause explosive and dangerous situations to erupt. And not just in a symbolic way. Because Earth Signs are involved we could also experience a greater than average numbers of earth tremors and volcanic activities.

Positively this Transit could inspire passion for higher causes, broadening the collective’s views (Jupiter) on the management of natural resources and sustainability issues (Pluto). The power to effect social changes could be amplified. This Transit, with other becoming exact next year, will ensure the continuation and deepening of the civil unrest and bloody repressions that started in the Middle East earlier this year and has since spread in many other countries, assuming an individualized national identity in each. The Jupiter-Pluto’s trine is making its contribution to this revolutionary era, rekindling our collective desire for justice (Jupiter) against all abuses of power (Pluto).

The individuals more likely to experience this long lasting Transit in a personal way are, naturally, some Taurus (Apr.23/27) and Capricorn (Dec.25/29).  Also Scorpio (Oct.27/31), Cancer (Jun.24/28), Leo (Jul.26/30), Aquarius (Jan.24/28), Aries (Mar.24/28), Libra (Sep.26/30), and Virgo (Aug.26/30). Or anyone with the Moon, one of the Angles and/or Planets around the fifth degree of the same Signs.

At the personal level  a more open and far seeing attitude toward old traumas and the psychological problems derived from them could help you find ways out of the old impasse.  Jupiter will encourage to tackle these problems with confidence and the belief that they can be mastered once we penetrate their meaning.

Alan Oken in ‘The Road and its Travellers’ describes the trine Jupiter-Pluto as the seer’s aspect, Pluto enhancing Jupiter’s questing spirit with the commitment to go beyond appearances; as Oken puts it: ‘to dig deep for the truth.’ Because Jupiter’s function is to make us realize our best potentials, and Pluto is the guardian of profound truths within the psyche their connection at this time could represent an enormous opportunity to shed light  and make sense of some inner truths, personally and collectively.

To some lucky ones the trine Jupiter-Pluto could be the gate to a religious or spiritual rebirth, when it becomes possible to believe the impossible and opposites can be reconciled.

The Solar transits

The fact that the trine Jupiter-Pluto is the only mutual aspect between the slow moving destiny-makers does not mean that the season will be astrologically uneventful. While transiting Libra and Scorpio the Sun will in fact form vital connections with Uranus in Aries (opposition), Saturn in Libra (conjunction) and Jupiter in Taurus (opposition), all significant events.

In the following paragraphs, when I talk about areas of experience, I’m referring to the astrological Houses, twelve divisions of the inner wheel of the Horoscope, whose position is determined by the time of birth (or, in Sunrise and Midday Charts by these relative times).  With your own Birth Chart in hand you can easily plot the journey of any transiting body through your ‘Houses’, thus identifying the areas of experience stimulated by each transit.

Considered in this way even the relatively speedy transits of the Sun assume great importance, shaping our lives from season to season, in an ever returning cycle, the one that was set at the moment of birth.

If the Solar Transits discussed here chance to happen around your birthday they are likely to produce a greater effect, and also to carry this effect over to the next twelve months for you.

Other birthday people, aligned by opposition or 90 degrees angle to these Solar Transits (dates given) will feel their effect instead for a week or so before and after the exact aspect.

Sun in opposition to Uranus

The Sun’s opposition to Uranus, on September 26, will highlight those areas of our lives that are in need of reforming. We will have to make adjustments in these areas, to accommodate the new. Or, negatively, we could be made to face unexpected situations, erratic states of mind, disruptive relationships, or profound aloneness, all unwelcome Uranian experiences.

The most likely recipients of this solar transit will be some Libra (Sep.24/28) Aries (Mar.21/25), Cancer (Jun.21/25), and Capricorn (Dec.22/26); or anyone with the Moon, one of the Angles and/or Planets around the second degree of the above Signs.

We will all have the Sun opposition Uranus somewhere, in opposite hemispheres, in our Birth Charts, showing where the wind of change will blow for each one of us this season. In this sense Astrology cannot be unduly generalised, as is commonly done in Sun signs columns. The same transit can affect in very different ways, for instance, two people born under the same Sun or Moon Signs, or indeed under identical planetary placements, but with a different hemispherical emphasis (Houses’ positions). The time of birth establishes this emphasis, so important to assess the possible impact on a specific individual of any past, present and future transit.

Sun conjunct Saturn

On October 14 the conjunction of the Sun to Saturn in Libra will highlight instead the area of our Birth Charts that needs strengthening, structuring, working harder at, being disciplined and organized about, in order to achieve positive and lasting results. The place of this conjunction will also show where we would do well to be especially cautious, responsible and practical.

Negatively, all transits involving Saturn can manifest in morbid states of depression, and general low libido, especially if we choice to or are forced to remain inactive.

Work is often the best antidote to Saturn’s blues. Not the kind of work that is deadening, meaningless routine, though, but rather work that can provide a sense of personal achievement, reinforcing a healthy self-esteem.  If such a work is available to you, solid foundations for future developments may be made ready with the help of this transit.

In direct alignment with this aspect are, of course, Libra (Oct.12/16), Aries (Apr.8/12), Cancer (Jul.10/14), and Capricorn (Jan.8/12). Or anyone with the Moon, one of the Angles and/or Planets around the twentieth degree of the same Signs.

Sun in opposition to Jupiter

On October 29, few days after entering Scorpio, the Sun will reach his once every thirteen months opposition to Jupiter, this year in Taurus. This transit will draw attention to those areas that could benefit from a broader, more optimistic outlook and some risk taking activities. It will also show the possibility of self-inflation in the same areas, when our expectations and hopes (Jupiter) may exceed what is really possible.

What will make the Sun-Jupiter’s opposition more influential is the fact that, on the same day, October 29, Jupiter will also form the second pass (in retrogradation) of his trine (120 degrees angle) to Pluto in Capricorn, aspect. Meanwhile the Sun will also form a perfect sextile (60 degrees angle) to Pluto.

The opposition then is really part of a configuration involving mutual aspects between the Sun, Jupiter and Pluto. Astrologers call this type of configuration an ‘Easy Opposition’, because the planet that receives the harmonious trine from one side of the opposition and the harmonious sextile from the other side (in this case Pluto) should act as a mediator, reconciling the differences the opposition always tends to stress.

So, while the Sun-Jupiter’s connections suggests that there is room for improvement in some areas, the connection of both to ponderous Pluto will make the changes needed much more radical, with the type of wholehearted commitment that Pluto can provide. The House transited by Pluto may reveal where a true regeneration of energies can take place in your life.

We need to remember that the Sun’s function, according to Astrology, is to make conscious any Sign or Planet he touches, to enhance awareness in general. Jupiter’s function, on the other hand, is to expand the scope of every experience, seeking its meaning in the larger scheme of things. And finally Pluto’s function is to get to the core of every experience, living it fully, to ultimately gaining a sense of personal empowerment from it.

The birthdays given at the end of the Jupiter-Pluto’s section are also valid recipients of this Solar Transit.

Mars transiting Leo and Virgo

When Mars moves Sign, every two months or so, a shift occurs in the way we act out our desires, assert ourselves and defend ourselves from real or imagined dangers. Naturally people with different planetary placements in their Birth Charts will respond to Mars’ changing energy in their own individual way.

Mars will be in the Fire Sign of Leo between September 19 and November 11, promising an exciting period, at times too exciting perhaps, for all Leo, Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius; in a milder way, also for all Aries and Sagittarius.

Mars in Leo provides the type of energy that can be spontaneously channelled into creative activities. The energy should be high and focused. Brightness and warmth accompany this placement when found in a Birth Chart. Collectively also this Mars’ position can provide added warmth, brilliance and passion to everyone’s life.

On November 11 Mars will begin transiting the Earth Sign of Virgo, energetically a big change from Leo. The transit in Virgo is an important one because it will last a long time, due to retrogradation. Mars will in fact turn retrograde in Virgo on January 23 2012 and enter the next Sign of Libra only in early July 2012.

The long stay of Mars in Virgo will give everyone the opportunity to put some order into life’s clutter and chaos. Virgo Mars provides in fact the sort of energy that is better deployed for practical pursuits and all activities that demand attention to details and extra discrimination. Negatively Mars in this Sign could make us all a bit more critical of each other and also self critical, aspect that could stop many to achieve their potential for fear of failure or ridicule.

The Virgo Mars period will be particularly active and productive for all Virgo, Pisces, Gemini and Sagittarius, but not without some difficult and frustrating moments. The Signs of Capricorn and Taurus will get the more positive effect from this long transit.

MARS ENTERS VIRGO

In Leo since mid October 2009 Mars is finally entering Virgo today, June 7 2010. Mars will transit Virgo until July 30. Mars is separating from an opposition to Neptune in Aquarius and applying to a quincunx to Jupiter and Uranus in Aries and opposition Chiron in Pisces.

The most important transit of Mars in the coming weeks will be the conjunction to Saturn in Libra, on July 30, when our red planet could become the spark that will initiate great changes in the lives of individuals and the collective. More of this in a future post.