November 7/8 2018: Jupiter enters Sagittarius (one year long transit) – Uranus is back in Aries – The Lunar Nodes shift in Cancer and Capricorn

Lord Jupiter

JUPITER enters SAGITTARIUS today, November 8, 11.39 pm (Australia Eastern Summer Time).

In a recent post on the major transits active in November-December 2018 I have called the ingress of Jupiter in Sagittarius ‘splendid’. This because Sagittarius is a much more suitable environment for Jupiter than Scorpio has been.
The Fire, Air and Mutable Signs in particular (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Libra, Aquarius, Gemini, Virgo, Pisces), and, in some way, all of us could profit from the inspiration and optimism of this year long transit, offering  opportunities to right some of the wrongs we have uncovered during the Jupiter’s transit through Scorpio and to look with greater confidence into the future. Jupiter will be in Sagittarius until early December 2019.
On November 7 Uranus re-entered Aries in retro motion too and thus squared again the Nodes (link to past and future eclipses)! The same day the North Node shifted into the back of Cancer, from Leo, and the South Node into the back of Capricorn, from Aquarius. This is a very significant combination of major transits around the time of the USA mid-term elections (November 6); also close to the New Moon in Scorpio (November 8).
Uranus square the Lunar Nodes is an ongoing transit that has manifested recently in intractable political chaos in many countries, as well as unprecedented weather events. More of the same, I suspect, is in the cards for the remaining of this year.

Timeline of Major Transits in October, November and early December 2018

Left section of the freeze, 525 BC, of the treasure of Siphnioi, entitled ‘Symposium of the Gods’ in Delphi, Greece, from left to right we can see Aphrodite = Venus, Artemis = Moon, and Apollo = Sun

Timeline of Major Transits in October

• On October 6 Venus becomes Stationary Retrograde (10°/11° Scorpio). Click HERE For an in depth article on the retrogradation of Venus between October 6 and November 16.
• From October 10 to 31 Mercury will also join Venus in Scorpio, strengthening the Scorpio effect at this time.
• Venus square Mars on October 11 (10° of Scorpio-Aquarius), the blurred line between attraction and antagonism between the sexes. Exciting or destructive fire works. Keeping our cool could prove a challenge, with tomorrow Sun-Pluto’s aspect adding intensity to the mix.
• The next day,October 12 the Sun square Pluto (Libra-Capricorn) and Mercury conjunct Venus (08°50’ Scorpio).
• Mercury square Mars on October 20 (14°30′ Scorpio-Aquarius), disputes, heated arguments or intense, in depth conversations, this is no time for gossip or idle chit chat.
• The Sun enters Scorpio on October 23 and on October 24 opposes Uranus in Taurus. Conscious striving toward individuality and independent choices; tugs of war, control issues. Uranus the mover and shaker could shake up the world finance and geology, extreme weather events above average around this time.
• Venus sextiles Saturn (04°21’ Scorpio-Capricorn), on October 24 too. Common sense hopefully helping to keep us sane, encouraging us to embrace the practical and enjoy the unavoidable routine, work and duties.
• Sun-Venus Conjunction on October 27. Venus’ orbit will pass between the Earth and the Sun, and will be lost in the Sun glare for a while. This occurs once in every synodic cycle of the planet (584 days), and marks the end of Venus’ Evening apparition and beginning of her Morning rising. This could prove a significant shift in the love life and relationships of many people, with a new, more candid look at love, creativity, pleasure and comfort in our lives, with the naivety that new beginnings entail.
• Venus square Lunar Nodes (0°37’ Scorpio-Leo-Aquarius) on October 31. Fate is obviously playing an important part in our experiences at present, especially those involving relationships, creativity, finances. Venus also opposes Uranus in Taurus on October 31, enhancing the desire for independence and individuality within relationships and in any creative artistic process we may be engaged in. Unexpected events are likely.

Timeline of Major Transits in November

• Venus re-enters Libra on November 1. After the plunge into the deep and dark waters of Scorpio this Libra Venus is wiser if less idealistic.
• Uranus re-enters Aries in retro motion on November 7 and square the Nodes (link to past and future eclipses)! The same day the North Node will shift into the back of Cancer, from Leo, and the South Node into the back of Capricorn, from Aquarius. On November 6 will be held the USA all important mid-term elections.
  Uranus square the Lunar Nodes is an ongoing transit that has manifested recently in intractable political chaos in many countries, as well as unprecedented weather events. More of the same, I suspect, is in the cards for the remaining of this year.
• Jupiter’s splendid entrance into Sagittarius on November 8. I call it splendid because Sagittarius is a much more suitable environment for Jupiter than Scorpio was. The Fire, Air and Mutable Signs in particular, but all of us could profit from the inspiration and optimism of this year long transit, offering  opportunities to right some of the wrongs we have uncovered during the Jupiter’s transit through Scorpio and to look with greater confidence into the future. Jupiter will be in Sagittarius until early December 2019.
• Venus trine Mars (26° Libra-Aquarius) on November 10 (see Venus square Mars on October 11). A change of pace between these masculine and feminine cosmic energies, from open conflict to leaning toward peace making and reconciliation, when we are prepared to be less uncompromising and more tolerant.
• Mars enters Pisces on November 16. On the same day Venus turns Direct. It seems an opportunity to go with the flow and trust it will bring us where we need to go.
• On November 17 Mercury turns Retro (13°29’ Sagittarius. Mercury will re-enter Scorpio on December 1 and retrograde until December 7, when it will turn Direct at 27°16’ Scorpio. Mercury will re-enter Sagittarius on December 13 2018. Expect the usual difficulties and disruptions in your daily life; take it easy, it will pass.
• On November 20 Mars square Jupiter Pisces-Sagittarius. Time for caution because we could make steps longer than our legs under this over-optimistic, over-reaching transit. Cultivate clarity and discrimination and try not to act too much on impulse.
• Sun enters Sagittarius on November 22 and becomes conjunct Jupiter on November 23. More expansive feelings and positive outlook. Blind optimism not recommended, but if we remain grounded real opportunities will come our way.
• Mercury-Sun Inferior conjunction on November 27 at 05°03’ Sagittarius. Like Venus in late October, Mercury will soon begin to rise before the Sun in the morning.

Looking ahead: timeline of Major Transits for early December 2018

• Venus re-enters Scorpio on December 3, same day Sun square Mars (Sagittarius-Pisces).
• December 6: Sun square Neptune.
• December 8: Mars conjunct Neptune in Pisces.
• December 9: Chiron turns Retrograde.
• Venus will enter Sagittarius only in the new year, on January 7 2019.

 

Jupiter in Libra, friend or foe?

‘The assembly of the Gods around the throne of Jupiter’ by Giulio Romano. From the vault of the ‘Sala dei Giganti’, in Palazzo Te, Mantova, Italy

Here is a longer version of an article published in the Uki Village News, October/November 2016 issue.

From September 9 this year until October 10 next year Jupiter will be transiting the Cardinal Air Sign of Libra.  This transition resonated with a bang: possibly the largest ever nuclear warhead was tested in North Korea on the very day of the transition; no surprising given that Jupiter never does anything half measure. It is not all gloom and doom though, most students of Astrology, including myself, consider Jupiter in Libra a mainly positive development for the collective.

The recent transit through Virgo (with Jupiter involved, on/off, in a rather difficult and paradoxical configuration involving stingy Saturn and open-handed Neptune) did manifest as a stifling of the generous impulses and optimism traditionally associated with this planet. This coming 12 months Jupiter will instead align to Uranus and Pluto, all now in Cardinal dynamic Signs, more likely to inspire collective changes of a great magnitude.

The fear of changes, reflected by Jupiter in timid Virgo, may be replaced by enthusiasm for trying new ideas and policies, and perhaps the ruthlessness necessary to cut the roots of a noxious past, with those in power hopefully more willing to take up the need of radical reforms.

The periods more likely to see the outer manifestation of these new cosmic alignments will be November to late December 2016, March, and then August to late September 2017. These transits will encourage many to embrace changes, collectively aligning ourselves to principles of justice and equality. In particular people with Air, Fire and Cardinal Signs highlighted in their Birth Horoscopes will be more likely to respond to this cosmic vibes, embracing a more adventurous and risk taking philosophy of life.

At the personal level the big planet could help us find new friends and make new contacts with the greater world.  Finally, Jupiter in Libra is a stalwart patron of the arts. This could be a time of feeling inspired again, in love, art and social ideals. Most importantly, it’s a time of finding our inspirations together.

Jupiter in Libra in recent history

Looking back in history at the time, last century and this, when Jupiter transited Libra (at interval of 12 years) it is easy to see how, even without the accompanying alignment to revolutionary Uranus and trans-formative Pluto active in 2017, this transit tends to manifest as positive changes to the ideological and philosophical mindset of the planet. Civil Rights and Grass Roots Movements, for example, receive a new impetus with open minded Jupiter transiting peace loving, cooperative Libra. Jupiter supports works of reconciliation between warring parties, the signature of important contracts, be they constitutions, trade deals, or something a bit more personal.

If that sounds philosophical, it’s because we’re going to be in a philosophical state of mind during Jupiter in Libra, which will form a positive aspect (sextile) to Saturn in Sagittarius, a Sign traditionally ruled by Jupiter himself.

Many financial astrologers reckon that the cardinal T-square, involving Jupiter to Uranus and Pluto, will manifest as a major economic re-balancing, or “market correction”, with equal winners and losers. Libra is balance, not meaning that balance is always achieved, but rather that balance is the ultimate goal.

Peace accords and trade agreements of great international consequence have been signed during past Jupiter’s transits through Libra, strengthening hopes that the cease fire in Syria, decided on the day Jupiter entered Libra, may hold and eventually bring permanent peace to the region.  Jupiter in Libra, at its best, could de-escalate many conflicts, at the personal and collective level, at least for a time.   Venus, traditionally associated with Libra, will go through a retrograde period starting in the opposite Sign of Aries from early March to mid April 2017, possibly an obstacle or an extended crisis in any peace process.

I list here few historical examples of events associated with the transits of Jupiter in Libra:

• In 1946 many trials for genocide and crimes against humanity were held in Nurenberg, to bring some sense of justice to the millions who had suffered before and during WWII. Strangely enough the previous transit of Jupiter in Libra (1933/34) had witnessed the promulgations of the racial laws in Germany! I cannot help seeing the similarity in the world’s situation at present, divided as we are along racial, ideological and religious borders.
• The Civil Rights Act was signed into law in 1957, a great step toward social justice in the USA.
• 1968/69 were the iconic years of grass roots movements becoming very active in all western countries, ushering the beginning of the end of the Vietnam war, the rise of political and social reforms, the so called sexual revolution etc. In 1968 there were mass protests and violent clashes in Ireland, producing some concessions to Catholic in a bitterly divided country.
• In 1992/93 the Oslo accord was signed, the first in the long running Israel/Palestinian saga.
• In 1992/93 also a Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was also signed by the USA and Russia.
• A single European market was created in 1992, eliminating trade barriers in Europe.
• In the same years South Africa abandoned its nuclear weapons program, and the International Chemical Weapons Convention was established.
• In 1992 the Church of England admitted women to the priesthood for the first time. Also in 1992 the Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was unveiled in New York, raising awareness to the plight of million ostracised sufferers. In 1992, again the USA, women were allowed to fly military aircrafts and the first female attorney General was elected.
• In 2004/05 Kuwati women regained the right to vote (!).
• The rise of social Networking, the most powerful grass roots movement of our modern era: the World Wide Web was released as a royalty free application in April 1993, sparking a global wave of multicultural cooperation; Facebook was born in 2004 and Youtube in 2005; freedom loving net users welcomed the release of the Ubuntu free and open source operating system in 2004. Furthermore Ubuntu’s precursor was released in 1993, another Jupiter in Libra epoch.
• Advances in astronomy and space exploration:
• 1957: first Sputnik launched by the Soviet Union.
• 1958: birth of
• 1969: first manned Moon landing (with Jupiter conjunct Uranus on the very first degree of the Sign); first trial flight of Concorde; Vietnam’s peace talks begin in Paris; first Boeing 747 commercial flight.
• 1981: first orbital flight of the Space Shuttle.
• 1993: space station agreement between the USA and Russia was signed, first act of space cooperation between these super powers.      

Earthquakes

Jupiter has been orbiting in alignment with the earth’s Equator for some time now, exerting a greater pull than usual on our planet, fact that could account for the numerous Earth’s tremors and major quake events of the last few weeks.

The ingress itself corresponded to the man-made Earth’s tremor caused by the latest and biggest nuclear test in North Korea (an eerie synchronicity).

For students of Astrology I am listing here the major transits active during the whole Jupiter in Libra period:

• Mars in Capricorn squares Jupiter in Libra at 5 degrees, Wednesday, October 5th
• Mercury conjuncts Jupiter 6 degrees Libra Tuesday, October 11th
• Jupiter in Libra squares Pluto in Capricorn 15 degrees Thursday, November 24th
• Venus in Capricorn squares Jupiter in Libra 15 degrees Friday, November 25th
• Jupiter in Libra opposes Uranus retrograde in Aries 20 degrees Monday, December 26th
• Sun in Capricorn squares Jupiter in Libra 22 degrees Wednesday, January 11th
• Mercury in Capricorn squares Jupiter in Libra 23 degrees Thursday, February 2nd
• Jupiter stations retrograde 23 degrees Libra Monday, February 6th
• Mars in Aries opposes Jupiter Rx in Libra 22 degrees Monday, February 27th
• Jupiter Rx in Libra opposes Uranus in Aries 22 degrees Thursday, March 2nd, 7:16 PM
• Mercury in Aries opposes Jupiter Rx in Libra 20 degrees Friday, March 24th
• Jupiter Rx in Libra squares Pluto in Capricorn 19 degrees Thursday, March 30th
• Sun in Aries opposes Jupiter Rx in Libra 18 degrees Friday, April 7th
• Jupiter stations direct at 13 degrees Libra Friday, June 9th
• Mars in Cancer squares Jupiter in Libra 13 degrees Friday, June 23rd
• Mercury in Cancer squares Jupiter in Libra 13 degrees Tuesday, June 27th
• Sun in Cancer squares Jupiter in Libra 14 degrees Wednesday, July 5th
• Jupiter in Libra squares Pluto retrograde in Capricorn 17 degrees Friday, August 4th
• Jupiter in Libra opposes Uranus retrograde in Aries 27 degrees Wednesday

First Week of November 2015: Latest Astrological News

Here are the highlights for the whole month

Signs’ Changes: Mercury will be transiting Scorpio, from November 2, and Sagittarius, from November 21 – Venus and Mars will move from Virgo to Libra, Venus on November 9 and Mars on November 13 – The Sun from Scorpio to Sagittarius, on November 23

Most important transits: The Opposition Jupiter-Chiron, on November 4 – The shift of the Lunar Nodes into the Mutable Signs of Virgo and Pisces, on November 12 – The square from Saturn in Sagittarius to Neptune in Pisces, on November 26.

Note that both the Jupiter and Saturn’s transits are just the beginning of a planetary pattern that will shape events and trends up to, at least, October 2016.

Astronomical Events: Visible alignments of Venus, Mars and Jupiter in the pre-dawn sky, see my Stars over Wollumbin page for details

***

In this post I’m discussing the significance of the major and not so major transits active during the first week of November 2015.  

November  2 = Mercury enters Scorpio. This transit will last until November 21.

A busy, perhaps mentally restless time for anyone with Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius highlighted in their Birth Chart. It could be ideal for business transactions, travel, learning, teaching and  communication, especially about profound, difficult or even taboo subjects.

For all of us this could be an opportunity to unravel hidden secrets and investigate mysteries, becoming more conscious of the deeper side of the mind. There could be a risk of becoming mentally hyper sensitive and in consequence suspicious of other people’s motives, sometimes imagining hidden agendas where there are none.

November  3 = Venus conjunct Mars in Virgo. This could be a short lived but important aspect for people with the last ten degrees of Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius highlighted in their Birth Charts. Feeling and passion are united here, a pleasant combination for some, manifesting as instant attractions and exciting encounters of the love at first sight variety, with a person, a project, an idea, depending on your time of life and what you need to attract and experience at this moment. Relationship-wise this could be the best thing for passionate encounters but it may not be very promising  for steady committed relationship, because the feelings aroused at this time may be of the fleeting, unreliable kind.

Apart from its effect on relationships this transit could be the ideal combination to tap into the Yin-Yang dynamics of our skills and creativity, Mars helping to curb procrastination and giving us the courage and instinct to act, and Venus inspiring our imagination through receptivity and a keener aesthetic sense. The conjunction happening in dutiful Virgo work and crafts could be enjoyable activities at this time. Making ourselves useful will bring its own reward.

November  4 = Jupiter in Virgo reaches the opposition to Chiron in Pisces. This is the first ‘ direct pass’ of three, the others becoming exact on February 24 and August 13 2016, in retro and direct motion respectively. This aspect would be significant even if it wasn’t to return in 2016. The fact that it does highlights even more the importance of its potential impact on the collective psyche.

At the personal level it could bring up health issues and/or the pain of negative past experience for people with the 16, 17 and 18 degrees of Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius highlighted in their Birth Charts. Exploring the primal causes of these effects could bring however the wisdom you need to change the negativity and pain into a permanent asset, making you a more compassionate and all rounded individual, ready to inspire others to thread a similar path to inner knowledge.

At the collective level (Mundane Astrology) this transit cannot begin to be understood however unless we put it within the context of the complex planetary pattern of which it is a part. This pattern involves not only Jupiter and Chiron but also Saturn, Neptune and the Moon’s Nodes. In fact, as Jupiter opposes, on and off, Chiron and, previously, Neptune and aligns with the North Node, Saturn squares all of them, while in opposition to Jupiter. With the exception of Jupiter opposition Neptune, all the above transits will remain active until well into 2016 and some until September/October 2016.

If interested here are some thoughts on the long term effects of the Jupiter-Saturn-Neptune-Chiron”s configuration, from a previous post: ‘…. 2015 and ‘16 are important years for the Jupiter-Saturn mutual relationship: they have reached a distance of 90 degrees from each other. This coming and going aspect will punctuate the next nine months, with the risk of a general economic downturn very present; recession continuing in some countries and food shortages worsening in less developed ones. This should be a lesson in humility and ‘make do’, getting used to live within our means in the developed countries, to restore some balance to our lop-sided world. …. We could embrace our reduced circumstances as real opportunities (Saturn) to find more lasting values in our daily life and work (Jupiter)….

…. The August 90° between Jupiter in Leo and Saturn in Scorpio coincided (no coincidence here!) with the huge and yet unresolved China’s crisis, being a classic aspect of economic and social downturn. The world has not done with it though. It will in fact return in March and May 2016, between Virgo and Sagittarius.

Jupiter and Saturn are also in turn aligned to Neptune and Chiron in Pisces, making their interaction more complex by introducing a spiritual element, the theme of the global environment, the dream of a united, at peace humanity, the gift of compassion and inclusion, and the poignant need for healing of rifts between cultures and ongoing damage to the global environment. (Germany opened its door to thousands of refugees in September, around the time Jupiter opposed Neptune, September 17). Pisces is the Sign of the great Ocean Mother to which everything and everyone return in the end. The issue of rising sea levels and more frequent destructive weather events, in Australia and around the world, will be big in the news during the active period of these planetary configurations.

The Jupiter opposition Neptune effect is now passing, but the square Saturn-Neptune has still to become active, in November 2015 and again in June and September 2016. This transit describes a powerful tension between our best humanitarian aspirations and the realistic limits of implementing them…. ‘

November  7 = Mercury in Scorpio trine (120 degrees distance from) Neptune in Pisces.This ephemeral transit could heighten sensitivity, universal sympathy and compassion, helping the collective mind to become more flexible and tolerant, but also less focused and grounded. It is a transit suitable for day dreaming, creativity and metaphysical experiences but we cannot expect many solid results from it.

At the individual level people with the 6, 7 and 8 degrees of Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces, Taurus, Leo and Aquarius highlighted in their Birth Charts are more likely to feel the otherworldly, highly creative and inspired effect of this transit, mainly in a positive, uplifting way.

I will discuss in my next post the significance of the following Transits, active from the second week of November. Here they are:

November  9 = Venus enters Libra, transiting this Cardinal Air Sign, over which she traditionally ‘rules’, until December 5.

November 12 = The Nodes of the Moon are shifting Signs, in retro motion as usual, the North Node entering the end of Virgo, from Libra, and the South Node the end of Pisces, from Aries. These transits will last until early May 2017.

November 13 = today Mars enters Libra, Sign of his detriment (opposite to his own Sign of Aries) and is also conjunct the North Lunar Node.

November 18 = Mercury reaches Superior Conjunction to the Sun. After this phase Mercury will return to the morning sky, rising before the Sun, still hidden from view by the Sun’s glare until late December.

November 21 = Mercury enters Sagittarius. This transit will last until December 10.

November 21 = Venus in Libra reaches 90 degrees distance from Pluto in Capricorn, a difficult square aspect.

November 23 = the Sun enters Sagittarius today.

November 24 = Venus opposes Uranus in Aries.

November 25 = Mercury conjunct Saturn in Sagittarius and also square Neptune today.

November 26 = Saturn forms the first square to Neptune. This aspect will repeat on June 18, in retrogradation, and September 11 2016.

November 30 = today the Sagittarius Sun is conjunct Saturn and in also square Neptune in Pisces.

 Stay tuned.

The Virgo Solar Eclipse: Sunday, September 13 2015.

Solar Eclipse Antarctica 2014

A brief outline of the September 13 Partial Solar Eclipse, with individual people in mind

At the Virgo New Moon on September 13 the Moon will eclipse the Sun, a partial eclipse visible only in the very far south regions of the world, like Antarctica, the southern Indian Ocean and some western parts of South Africa, up to 15° Latitude South. Not a visible event in Australia or New Zealand.

A Total Lunar Eclipse will follow at the next Aries Full Moon on September 28. Here I am concerned only with the solar event.

This Solar Eclipse could have personal repercussions, via events and mental/emotional states, in particular for those individuals who happen to have the 19th, 20th and 21st degrees of Virgo highlighted in their Birth Chart (aligned to Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Ascendant, Descendant, Mid-Heaven or Lower-Heaven); to a less extent also those with the same degrees in the other Mutable Signs, Pisces, Gemini and Sagittarius.

The Eclipsed Sun and the Eclipsing Moon, on the 20th degree of Virgo, will be just separating from an in-conjunct aspect (150° distance) to Uranus in Aries and from an opposition to Chiron in Pisces (180°).

If your Birth Chart is somehow aligned with this Eclipse I would say that, during this time, your very basic unconscious impulses (Moon) as well as your conscious drive and will (Sun) will need to find truly original and upbeat ways of expression, through acts of brave decisiveness, even at the risk of causing disagreements and becoming isolated/alienated from others (in-conjunct to Uranus in Aries). In fact you could find your present spirit of initiative and displays of fierce individualism somewhat contrary to your usually passive and modest Virgo temperament.  The polarity with Chiron in Pisces (in opposition Sun-Moon) adds the element of fluidity and compassion, with the urge to heal emotional rifts and egotism while staying true to your ideals and core of independence (Chiron is semi-sextile, 30° distance, from Uranus in Aries).

Because both Virgo and Pisces are Signs of purification and elimination (Virgo concentrating on the physical aspect and Pisces on the psychic) this could be a very suitable time to tackle negative habits and addictions, to begin a healthier lifestyle, change diet, join a yoga class or a gym, engage a personal trainer to re-gain fitness or lose weight, or to deal with a chronic condition by embracing some form of natural therapy.

The effect of the Solar Eclipse could last from three months to a year, and could have been already active for some months before the Eclipse itself. The nature of the celestial body/bodies or Angle/s involved could describe more accurately the possible effect for each individual person.

With the world in mind

In the planetary picture weaved by this Eclipse I see a symbol of the collective drive, now gaining very rapid momentum, to be of practical service to others less fortunate than ourselves. The presence of Chiron, the archetypal ‘Wounded Healer’, on the opposite-complementary Sign of Pisces (in opposition to Sun-Moon), shows that the helpmate also aspires to become a savior of sorts, our desire to humbly serve others in their most pressing needs, like food and shelter (Virgo), merging with the longing for spiritual union and the awareness that ultimately all is one, and the suffering of others is our suffering (Pisces’ universal sympathy).

The in-conjunct aspect of Uranus in Aries gives raise to the combative spirit, the irrepressible drive to take different measures, trying to find out of the box ways to address the collective issues that have been gripping the world with amazing force since the start of the millennium.

Virgo is the archetypal symbol for Purity, tirelessly endeavoring to keep at bay anything, in the form of substance, food, thought that can harm our bodies as well as the Earth Mother’s. Virgos are born environmentalists and natural healers. It was certainly this Virgo archetype which, since the beginning, inspired and instructed scores of farmers, gatherers, healers, doctors, nurses, help professional, social workers, light workers etc. to pursue their search for the universal elixir to heal all ills and restore purity in ourselves and the world we live in. This elixir ultimately resides in the eternal flux of life, surpassing while including our individual lives and consciousness. And this is astrologically symbolized by Pisces, Virgo’s opposite-complementary Sign. Practical Virgo is forever calculating what can be done within the limits of the possible, while Pisces tends to blur these limits and thus make what seemed impossible possible, via acts of good will and trust in providence. These two opposite Signs seem fit symbols for the situation people who want to help the refugees fleeing conflicts and mayhem in their own countries are finding themselves: how to reconcile the need to be practical and realize the limits of what can be realistically achieved, within reason (Virgo) and the desire to uphold the ideal of compassion and open the gate indiscriminately to all those in need of support (Pisces). Virgo would see the need for helping as a moral obligation while Pisces would consider it more like a spiritual responsibility.

Since early August Jupiter has also entered Virgo and will be transiting this Earth Sign until September 9 2016. This transit of course also reinforces the collective drive to help each other in practical ways and could even inspire some to find contentment in a simpler, more humble and down to earth life style, while many may be forced into it by financial crisis and unemployment. The August 90° between Jupiter in Leo and Saturn in Scorpio, a classic aspect of economic and social downturn, will repeat itself in March and May 2016, between Virgo and Sagittarius, clearly indicating that the near future will not be a time for wild spending and borrowing but rather for hard work and a cautious approach to financial matters, avoiding debts and get rich quick schemes. We could embrace our reduced circumstances as opportunities to find more lasting values in our daily life and work (Jupiter). I am preparing a post about the transit of Jupiter in Virgo and the all important Jupiter-Saturn’s cycle. I should be able to publish it here shortly.

The connection of the Solar Eclipse with Uranus could favor the more aggressive, militant approach to the humanitarian and environmental crisis the world is experiencing. We could all become more pro-active in seeking a resolution to those crisis, more defiant of authority and the status-quo, with the clear goal in mind of restoring the human dignity of dispossed and traumatized people and the health of a polluted environment (Chiron in Pisces). This uncompromising spirit seems also enhanced by the aspects of the transiting Mercury in Libra at the time of the Eclipse, separating from a Square to Pluto in Capricorn and coming onto an opposition to Uranus in Aries. We can add to all the above the present position of transiting Saturn on the very last degree of Scorpio, ready to enter Sagittarius, a rebellious and freedom loving Sign, on September 18; this time for good (previous ingresses were at the end of December 2014 and in middle June 2015).

This Eclipse then should also generate greater awareness of the need of environmental healing, especially in view of the upcoming UN Conference on Climate Change (November 30 to December 11 2015). Just few days before this Solar Eclipse all UN nations, including Australia, have submitted their Climate Action Plans ahead of the Paris conference.

Following this post I have re-posted an edited version of a two parts tutorials/articles on eclipses  that I published in June 2011.

These tutorials seem again relevant  during the present Eclipse Season of September 2015. These are the links:

Eclipses as Doors of Perception – Part 1

Eclipses as Doors of Perception – Part 2

End of 2012 Astrology, September to December: Uranus square Pluto. Uranus mid-life crisis

‘The expulsion’ by Arthur Boyd

An introduction

I would like this time to introduce my astrological musings with a warning about self-fulfilling predictions. And to stress here the importance, in these difficult times for the world, to maintain a constructive outlook on things, in order not to bring even greater difficulties upon ourselves.

Many astrological articles, looking into the present planetary cycles and alignments, seem to be pervaded by a sense of impending doom, their speculations too often close to fear-mongering. Mix that with the interpretation some give of the end of the Mayan Calendar, and we have a successful recipe for Armageddon.

This gloomy outlook, I think, is only partly due to the objective state of the planets, but more perhaps to the dark fascination we all feel (I included) for powerful archetypes like Saturn, Pluto, Uranus, now strongly activated. These are the ancient and feared Lord of Time and Karma (Chronus-Saturn), Lord of the Underworld (Hades-Pluto) and mysterious Uranus (Ouranus), the aloof and faceless first Sky God, the ancestor of the lot.

Collective guilt, unavoidable as we fully realize the mess we have made of the world, seems to call for collective retribution. Saturn then is going to chill us to the bone and smother us, taking the last hint of hope from us; Pluto will be a pitiless Judge, intent at destroying us. And Uranus could zap us all in a second! Such Gothic fancies cannot be helpful in meeting the demands of the Age.

More than ever we need now faith in better things to come, and knowledge that these troubled times will also pass, hopefully leaving us stronger and wiser as a collective.

Like individual human beings the Earth too reaches crisis point. Things erupt, the collective goes crazy for a while, the weather is more extreme; there are more significant seismic activities, more widespread conflicts and other man-made disasters. I would add though that, at such times, also great discoveries are made, unparalleled scientific breakthroughs, while dramatic progress is made in the realm of ideas, social justice, psychology, medicine and healing, with also a revival of all things ‘spiritual’, as we seek guidance, reaching one of history’s turning points.

In many ways the carpet is pulled beneath our feet though. If things didn’t need to change radically from where they are now, the crisis could not occur. Crisis are cathartic, purifying events. They bring us to a point from where we can only ascend again.

Consciousness is in fact growing in this darkening world. This may seem a paradox, but it is indeed a reality. Looking in the past, during the slow decay of old civilizations, ideals were born to inspire the seekers of the next Age. The same is happening in the first decade of this millennium, when the old world order is inevitably crumbling, while fresh seeds are sown of a more humane, inclusive and abundant world.

I like to see this period as an early stage in the long process of birthing a new global awareness, 20, 50 or 100 years into the future. The beginnings of a New Age must be like a child’s birth, difficult and painful, but also exciting and ultimately transformative.

 Ongoing struggle: the Uranus-Pluto’s square

During the last season f 2012, from the September Libra Equinox past the December Capricorn Solstice, the 90 degree angle between Uranus and Pluto is, at first, steeling the celestial show again, becoming exact on September 19, and remaining active throughout the season. This will be the second of seven passes, the recurring transit lasting until 2015. The square is colouring in intense hues the opening of the Equinox season as it did the previous Cancer Solstitial season, last June, a sign that collective experiences of upheaval and struggle are still very much on the cards for the world, a tension that is not likely to find easy or conflict-free solutions.

Individuals in more direct alignment with this transformative transit will be: Aries (Mar25/Apr2), Cancer (Jun27/Jul4), Libra (Sep28/Oct5), Capricorn (Dec27/Jan2); or anyone with Moon, Planets, Chart’s Angles, Lunar Nodes between the 5^th and 12^th degree of these Cardinal Signs. They will be more likely to experience this planetary conflict personally enacted in some areas of their lives, depending on the particular orientation of their Birth Charts (their Ascendant, Descendant, Mid-Heaven and Lower-Heaven).

The Sun will bring the Uranus square Pluto to our conscious attention around these dates in particular: on September 29, when the Sun will oppose Uranus and square Pluto (forming as it were a Grand or Cosmic Cross with the configuration), and on December 30, when the Sun will conjunct Pluto and square Uranus.

At the personal level both planets could manifest as irresistible agents of change. While their ultimate aim is the same, though, the way they go about achieving it is very different. Uranus urges one toward greater individualism, while Pluto shows where we need to let go of the attachments that bind us to the un-evolved or un-lived past, perhaps a toxic past. Those ties are hard to undo because they may have become main stay in our life so far, in the form of a social role, a job, a relationship, a life style, all seemingly vital to the survival of our sense of personal identity. There our core-wound lies, badly in need of the light of consciousness to heal. Looking into this dark stuff (Pluto) while maintaining a clear level of detachment and emotional objectivity (Uranus) is the psychological edge upon which we are asked to thread at these times.

If your Birth Chart happens to be directly aligned with their aspect, between roughly 2010 and 2015, the Uranus-Pluto’s square should manage to move you from a stuck situation, if you find yourself in one. Being forced out of an existential impasse could prove difficult, perhaps traumatic for some, but it will force a resolution to the issue, a painful but necessary initiation into a more authentic life.

Uranus, the astrological mid-life crisis and the 84 years cycle of Individuation

The square Uranus-Pluto will also have particular significance for some 40/42 years old individuals, born roughly between December 1968 and September 1970. This is because, in late 2012 and early 2013, the transiting Uranus in Aries will be reaching the opposition to their Natal Uranus in Libra.

The Uranus’ mid life transit always offers an opportunity to discover or re-discover one’s true vocation and creative drive, the genuine calling often hidden beneath familial and social conditioning.

A certain peculiar restlessness is telling you that positive changes, even a complete u-turns are indeed possible in your life, if you find the courage to embrace what most inspires you and excites you. Very significant psychological and spiritual breakthroughs are possible at this time. Frustration and unhappiness will be the results of missing this train though, out of fear and other misgivings.

An older generation, turning 82/84 around this time, people born when Uranus was transiting the same degrees of Aries last time (roughly between June 1928 and December 1929) will be experiencing instead their Uranian existential end of cycle, a last chance to become more truly the individuals they were meant to be.

An external manifestation of this could be the tendency to become more eccentric, at time even uncooperative and intractable, especially if they feel that they never had a chance to have their own way. It is indeed the end of a great cycle of life, not just for them as individuals, but for the whole world. Think of the enormous changes that have taken place since their childhood and youth.

Look out for my next post on the end of 2012 Transits, concentrating on the full-on Scorpio season.

Uranus square Pluto, the Astrology of upheaval and change: now and in the 1960s …

Uranus in Aries square Pluto in Capricorn

The 90 degrees angle between Uranus and Pluto will dominate but not monopolize the coming Solstice season. Numerous transits involving Chiron, the ingress of Jupiter in Gemini, the transits of Neptune newly in Pisces, and the last passage of Saturn through Libra are all important developments too.

There is no doubt though that this is one of the most influential transits in many years, repeating seven times, between June 2012 and March 2015, its effects likely to linger for the whole decade. If interested these are the dates: Jun24–Sep19,2012 – May21-Nov1,2013 – Apr22,2014 – Dec15,2014 – Mar17,2015.

In direct alignment with this transit, from May 2012 to the end of 2012 and beyond, will be:  Aries (Mar25/Apr2), Cancer (Jun27/Jul4), Libra (Sep28/Oct5), Capricorn (Dec27/Jan2); or anyone with Moon, Planets, Chart’s Angles, Lunar Nodes etc. between the fifth and twelfth degree of the above Cardinal Signs. Generally speaking everyone, with an emphasis on these Signs or not, is in for a life-shake up of great magnitude, when it would be not only a question of seeing the positive side of changes coming our way but of being able to ride the storm and stay safe in the midst of great social and personal upheavals.

Not only we should not view this transit in isolation though but, to understand it better, we need to look at it as part of a longer synodic cycle, describing the unfolding of these planets’ mutual relationship, from one conjunction to the next.  The Uranus-Pluto cycle takes an average of 127.30 years, but this can vary considerably due to Pluto’s extremely elliptical orbit.

The conjunction that started the present Uranus-Pluto’s cycle occurred in Virgo between 1962 and 1968 (becoming exact in 1965/66). The whole 1960’s decade was thus under the spell of this cosmic encounter, and no wonder!

The present phase can be equated to a First Quarter Phase. Now we are striving to achieve what we have envisioned those long years ago, what collectively we put in motion during the Uranus-Pluto’s conjunction in the 60s. Now we should feel prompted to fulfill some of the promises of that revolutionary era. Time for putting up a fight, defeating the obstacles on the way, actively challenging inertia and pressing forward with renewed faith and courage. On the down side we may be not so conscious of the forces at work, within and without; hence the danger of misusing the high voltage energy this planetary combination can produce. To expect a perfect happy ending to such an encounter would be naive indeed. The drive toward individuation and personal autonomy and the drive for power clash under this square.

The need to redress wrongs will be strong, even compelling for some. Many will not be able to suffer wrongs in silence or passively anymore. Some grassroots movements could become more organized, even militarized or more confrontational in their approach. Civil wars, even eco-wars will become more frequent, often unavoidable because of the urgency many feel in these times of quickening.

The friction generated by the square is not new to the world. Even if the aspect has not been quite exact until now it has in fact come close enough to produce already powerful effects on the collective, as it is easy to perceive in the escalation of conflicts, revolutions and natural disasters since 2008. We should not forget actually that in 2010 and 2011 this transit was strongly augmented by Saturn in Libra and Jupiter in Aries that also linked it to the Eclipses of June-December 2010 and July 2011. Viewed this way the coming exact square, in June and September 2012, seems perhaps less threatening now that Jupiter, Saturn and the Eclipses have moved away from it.

Because the present phase Uranus-Pluto has its source in the turbulent Sixties we need to look at those times to put the present situation in historical focus.

The astrological Sixties

Are you old enough to remember the 1960s? Something truly new and strange surged from the depth of the world’s collective unconscious during the whole decade, pervading all levels of human experience: a veritable ‘cultural revolution’, both for East and West. It did infect principally the minds of young people who were going through their teenage blues.

If there, you would have felt the sheer radicalism of the Uranus-Pluto’s conjunction, the extreme, even fanatical streak running through it, stuff that could have either enthralled or scared you. In hind sight the extremism was a necessary element in that first collective attempt at transforming toxic but deeply ingrained cultural attitudes.

These were the times of Bob Dylan’s subversive songs, of journeys to the East that brought new beliefs into the west mainstream culture; Indian Gurus beginning to attract thousands to their timeless teachings, with the words Karma and Dharma becoming part of our international dictionary of life.

It was the time of psychedelic experimentation, mind opening LSD trips, sexual revolution, free love (the San Francisco’s Summer of Love happened in 1966); women emancipation, civil rights campaigns and riots, the first demonstrations for gay rights, the shamanic insight of Carlos Castaneda writings (‘The teachings of Don Juan’ was published in 1968), that popularized the forgotten cultures of pre-Columbian America.

The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Pink Floyd, the Doors, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and many others changed the way we experienced music, their songs anthems of the dawning of the New Age. It was also a time of reactionary assassinations (J.F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King), the escalation of the Vietnam War and the Russia/West Cold War, the proliferation of nuclear armaments, the erection of the hated Berlin’s Wall, China’s own Cultural Revolution (1966). The list could go on and on.

Many died in the sixties or suffered harsh retaliation fighting in the name of freedom and justice, for their commitment to change. And it is still happening. People will need inventiveness and an unwavering courage in their beliefs, in order to seriously challenge the powers to be.

The radical choices that many made in the 1960s have changed lives in a way that would have been unthinkable just a few years before. The same is happening now to countless youths all over the planet.

Of course we cannot attribute all the special qualities of that decade solely to the Uranus-Pluto’s conjunction because other factors certainly contributed to it. Like, for instance, the transit of Neptune in Scorpio that made delving into social, racial and sexual taboos and upholding peace a sort of spiritual quest, a journey of collective redemption.

The decade ended with the first manned trip to the Moon and the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969, as Uranus was moving from Virgo to Libra.

Two iconic movies, that to me epitomize the era, are ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ and ‘Easy Rider’ released respectively in 1962 and 1969, both pictures successfully exploring Uranian and Plutonian themes of taboos and rebirth.

From the above it should be easy to understand what sort of energy we are dealing with now, when these Destiny Makers come together again. Now as then the call for revolutionary changes of attitudes is ringing very loud and clear but so are the dangers of conservative reactionary movements to unleash the might of their power, bent as they are at maintaining the status quo in world politics and ecology. As old Bob sang in 1964: ‘… There’s a battle outside and it is ragin’. It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls, for the times they are a-changin‘.

More than ever, while struggling to transform the world, we will be forced to look at our own demons, because real change can only come from within.

Horoscope of the ingress of the Sun in Aquarius, January 21, 2012 – Another incarnation of the Jupiter-Saturn’s opposition

In these difficult economic and social times every ingress of the Sun in a new Sign is important to watch the developments of collective issues.

The most obvious transit of the Sun at the time of this ingress, colouring the whole Sun in Aquarius period, is the T-square the Sun if forming with Jupiter in early Taurus and Saturn in late Libra, themselves in out of Signs opposition to each other. This Jupiter-Saturn’s aspect  brings back memories of the past two years, when Jupiter was still transiting Aries and opposing Saturn in May and August 2010, and again in March 2011. The difference is that the present opposition will never become exact. It reached its closest contact (01° 57′) around January 10,  and now Jupiter, Direct since the end of December 2011, is separating from Saturn while Saturn will soon move back through Libra in retro motion. The fact that the configuration is a T-square introduces an element of tension in the contacts the Sun is making and also of urgency, the tug of war between expansion and restriction of the Jupiter-Saturn’s opposition in need of becoming more conscious (Sun) at the collective level, in order to introduce reforms (Aquarius) that could help to bring about a better outcome for this difficult transit.

I re-post here something I wrote in June 2010 about the Jupiter-Saturn’s opposition, because it seems relevant with what the news are telling about the present state of the world economy: “

Many different astrological traditions ascribed great importance to the mutual aspects of Jupiter and Saturn since very early times, with particular emphasis on the conjunction and opposition. We shouldn’t forget that, before the ‘discovery’ of Uranus in the late 18th century, and later on of Neptune, Pluto, Chiron and the various Plutons or Dwarf Planets, Jupiter and Saturn were the most distant planets we consciously knew about, therefore their cyclical interaction was naturally deemed significant for the destiny of people and nations.

The conjunction is considered the start of the whole cycle and also of an upward trend in world affairs, while the opposition is the culmination or climax of the whole period and also the beginning of a downward trend. The impact of this particular opposition could be indeed very great considering that Jupiter is, at the same time, also conjunct Uranus, a planet that always lives up to his reputation of harbinger of major changes.

Why Jupiter, archetype of plenty and good luck, should be involved in an economic recession or depression, some may ask? Well, the eternal dance of Jupiter-Saturn, now closing up on each other, now separating, make them exchange energies and, at times, take one the colour of the other, so expansion follows contraction and so on.  At conjunction time, for instance, Jupiter coming onto Saturn impart on Saturn his own sense of optimism and the vision of future possibilities for improvement and gain. People then tend to spend more, feel more confident about the market economy, saving less, consuming more, thus creating, for a time, greater demand for goods and services. Great recent examples are the economic boom and financial optimism that pervaded the world in the early 1980s (Jupiter conjunct Saturn in Libra in 1981) followed by the more pragmatic and critical early 1990s (Jupiter opposing Saturn between 1989 and 1991), when, in the words of the then Finance Minister and future Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating, we experienced the ‘recession we had to have”. Or the optimism at the start of the New Millennium (the 2000′s Jupiter conjunct Saturn in Taurus, both square Uranus in Aquarius, warning of the risks of unchecked expansion) that pre-dated the present period of uncertainty and lack of confidence, with fear we all share of not being able to pay back the debts we incurred in more optimistic times………

……. Some countries, like China and India, are still enjoying their boom, but the financial pundits are already warning of the risks involved in this unchecked growth. These fast growing economies will have also to begin slowing down soon, in order to avoid the same pitfalls western countries have fallen into due to the same recklessness and greed.

So, if we hoped the world’s financial vows to be over or, at least, mending, we need indeed to think again. The general predictions for this opposition are gloomy, especially because it is just one aspect of a number that also seem to indicate negative trends. One of the most significant is the slow transit of Pluto in Capricorn (for the next fifteen years), indicating the ongoing need to radically change the way we do business with each other and also the use and abuse we make of Planet Earth’s natural resources. There will be tax and banking reforms, and those will not   happen without the sacrifice and loss of some of the security, comfort and even luxuries we have become accustomed to…..

…..The Jupiter-Saturn opposition is the culmination or climax of a cycle that began in the year 2000, before 9/11 changed everything, and will end only in 2020. Now this Twenty-Twenty has been a mantra-year on many lips, since the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009, because it is in that far off year that many countries agreed to meet their reduction targets. Judging from the present transits it seems to me that we may have to wait that long perhaps to see real and lasting improvements of the present situation. The next conjunction will be at the gate of Aquarius (zero degree) and will herald the beginning of a more democratic and humanitarian trend in world affairs. Symbolically that 2020 Jupiter-Saturn conjunction could sanction our official ingress into the Aquarian Age. To read more about the historical effect of the Jupiter-Saturn’s opposition, in the same article, click HERE.

Contemporary with the present instance of this opposition are the harmonious aspects that Jupiter and Saturn are forming with Neptune on the last degree of Aquarius, on the verge of entering Pisces and a whole new Neptunian period. Jupiter is separating from an out of Signs sextile to Neptune and Saturn is applying to a trine to Neptune, never quite reaching it remaining very close to it until February. These Neptune’s contacts show the positive impact a more inclusive and compassionate outlook could have on the affairs of our planet. Neptune can in fact make the opposition Jupiter-Saturn easier to bear but only if its spiritual principles of compassion and tolerance are upheld. An opposition is defined Easy in traditional Astrology when another planet happens to form a trine and a sextile to the planets in opposition, thus helping to release some of the tension and conflict of the aspect.   To learn more about astrological aspects and configurations of aspects please click HERE to go to my relevant Tutorial Page.

Another important solar transit at the time of the Aquarius ingress is the sextile of the Sun to Uranus in Aries. This harmonious aspect shows how positive would be to face our collective problems with a mind free of old conditioning, and the willingness to accept major changes in the way we live and conduct our businesses in this world ‘on the brink’.  Resisting this trend could have instead very negative consequences, that I’m afraid, at this point, could not be completely avoided anyway. The coming Uranus-Pluto’s square, exact for the first time in June 2012, will be a titanic battle between old and new ways, that will rage for a few years, during which time we will have to decide to which side we give our alliance. Sitting on the fence will not be a practical alternative.

Some other developments occurring during the Sun in Aquarius period: the ingress of Neptune in Pisces on February 4, and the  Retrogradation of Mars in Virgo, beginning on January 24 and ending on April 14. You can find articles on both the Neptune’s ingress into Pisces and the Retrogradation of Mars HERE.

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.

The Science of Uranus in Aries

The seven to eight years during which Uranus transits Aries, every eighty four years or so, seem to have an uncanny connection with the science of light, in particular with the speed of light. Here are some instances worthy reflecting upon (marked with a red asterisk *). Other important scientific breakthroughs are also included:

Uranus in Aries between 1675/76 and 1682

*In 1675 the Danish astronomer Ole Roemer, while observing variations in the timing of eclipses of the Jupiter’s Moon, measured the speed of light at 200.000 Km/sec, according to the then accepted value of Earth’s orbit.

Also in 1675 king Charles II of England commissioned the construction of  the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London, to obtain more accurate data on longitudinal positions at sea, thus improving ship navigation as well as astronomical observation (Wiki page on the Greenwich history).

*In 1678 the Dutch scientist Christian Huygens (Wiki page on Huygens) published a seminal treatise on the nature of light, for the first time exposing the theory that light was made of ‘waves’, moving through space at an amazing speed.

Uranus in Aries between 1759/60 and 1767

The English chemist Henry Cavendish discovered the element Hydrogen in the chemical composition of water (Wiki page on Henry Cavendish).

Uranus in Aries between 1843/44 and 1850

In 1842 the British government paid Charles Babbage, inventor of the ‘Difference Machine’, to develop an advanced calculating machine, which they called ‘analytical engine’, a sort of mathematical computer (Wiki page on Charles Babbage). 

In 1846, British and French astronomers ‘discovered’ a new planet in the solar system, Neptune, beyond Uranus’ boundaries.

*Also in 1846 Michael Faraday, English chemist and physicist, discovered the principle of the electric motor. In a lecture titled ‘Thoughts of Ray Vibration’ he described the magnetic and electrical forces which hold atoms together, also suggesting that the same might transmit light (Wiki page on Faraday).

*In 1847 Thomas Edison was born in the USA to become one of the most prolific and influential inventors of all times. 1.300 inventions have been attributed to him. One of his enduring legacies has been the invention of the electric light bulb. Edison died around his 84^th birthday in 1931, during the next transit of Uranus in Aries that went from 1927/28 to 1934 (Wiki page on Thomas Edison).

*In 1849 the speed of light was calculated more accurately by Leon Foucault, a French physicist. Foucault kept researching and improving his method of calculation until he reached his final measurement of 299,796 Km/s in 1862 (Wiki page on Leon Foucault).

Uranus transits Aries between 1927/28 and 1934

In 1927 the German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg discovered that the path of an electron revolving around an atom’s nucleus cannot be predicted, calling this ‘the Uncertainty Principle’, a key discovery of Quantum Physics(Wiki page on Werner Heisenberg HERE and the Uncertainty Principle).

On September 28 1928 the Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming discovered by a lucky accident the antibacterial properties of blue-green mould, calling it Penicillin. Mould grown on bread had been however used to heal infected wounds since the Middle Ages before its scientific properties were actually demonstrated by Fleming and others (Wiki page on the discovery of Penicillin).

In 1931 American Karl Janski, a radio engineer,  discovered radio emissions from the constellation of Sagittarius in the Milky Way. His so called ‘Janski turn-table’ was the first rudimentary Radio Telescope ever to be constructed. Because his discovery occurred during the Great Depression a proper Radio Telescope wasn’t constructed until 1937 (Wiki page on Karl Janski).

In 1928 the English physicist John Cockroft and Irish Ernest Walton began working on the acceleration of protons. In 1932 they constructed a machine for accelerating elementary particles, the first popularly known ‘smashing of the atom’ (Wiki page on Cockroft and Walton).

Uranus transits Aries between 2010/11 and 2018

*Can the mysterious sub-atomic particles neutrinos exceed the speed of light, as some European physicists made public in Geneva on September 23 2011? If true this would challenge one of the fundamental tenets of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and probably, yet again, change our vision of the world. As Dennis Overbye puts it  in his September 24 article:“Even this small deviation would open up the possibility of time travel and play havoc with notions of cause and effect”. As with all Uranian maverick thinking and love of unexplored places, these results will be tested by time and perhaps found wanting. One way or the other this is exciting news.

On September 29 2011 China launched its first experimental module to form part of a future space station, aiming at becoming a major space power. This is an important development for China, with Uranus in Aries transiting in opposition, for the next few years, to China’s natal Sun, Mercury, Neptune and South Lunar Node.

For a discussion of the transits active in the months of October, November and December2011 please  navigate to one of my previous posts HERE.

Aries New Moon, and Aries Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Jupiter. A call to arms?

I was preparing for an intense day on this New Moon, and for good astrological reasons. The conjunction Mars-Uranus has become exact today, so giving a certain character and tone to the whole new cycle the New Moon is opening. Bloody conflicts are all over the news, with not imminent solutions in view.

The whole month will keep this momentum going, the drive for change and progress at all cost (Uranus) married to the need for action without delay and an aggressive general attitude (Mars). This trend will be obvious on the evening news as well as in our own private lives, where conflicts could flare up at the least provocation, causing often a sense of alienation and separateness amongst people. No great strides toward peaceful solutions seem to be on the cards for now.

Furthermore the Sun and Moon were also in conjunction to Jupiter in Aries today and therefore in opposition to Saturn in Libra, thus becoming active participants in the cosmic patterns that are shaping the  present historical events. In fact Jupiter is only now just separating from the opposition to Saturn that became exact, for the third and last time, last Tuesday, March 29.

If interested in the Jupiter-Saturn’s opposition, please look up the astrological highlights of the week March 28 to April 3 HERE, and, for a more in depth analysis, to my older post on the historical significance of the Jupiter-Saturn’s opposition HERE.

The Sun and Moon with Jupiter will attract big events, and perhaps also an inflated expectation of big events. We may risk collectively to escalate differences, rather than contain them.

A good example of this is the fierce conflict raging at present in Australia about the so called Carbon Tax, between opposite factions, one absolutely against it and the other absolutely in favor.

The opposition of Sun and Moon to Saturn, at New Moon, will have also a powerful effect, on this particular issue and others, now and in the next few weeks. Finding a middle ground between Jupiter and Saturn’s tendencies would be indeed very difficult. Perhaps this necessary reform will have to be imposed forcibly on a lot of people who don’t want any of it.

Or another possibility is that Saturn could create the type of stalemate we have seen gripping other crisis, all over the world, from Japan’s atomic crisis, to the bloody civil conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.

Mercury now moving slowly in retro motion in Aries could also have the effect of making us revisit the past, going through similar experiences and tests we have had recently. It is difficult to find permanent solutions to personal or collective problems while Little Brother is making his cosmic loop, because we need now to re-think everything, to go over again what we thought we had outgrown and overcome. Mercury turning direct again, on April 23, will offer more opportunities for a meaningful change of direction. For more information on April’s retrogradation of Mercury visit last week highlights post HERE.

Astrological predictions cannot be rosy under these circumstances, also considering the imminent retrograde station of Pluto (beginning on April 9) that could also mark a more intense and transformative time of the year for all of us.

One of the positive roles of Astrology is to make us more aware of the dangers inherent in a period of social and personal revolutions like the present, hopefully helping to find ways of toning down our passions, thus achieving a measure of cooperation with those who held opposing views.

A different facet of this New Moon story is represented by Neptune entering Pisces tomorrow, April 5. This historical transit seems to indicate that whatever is happening now in the world and within us will have far reaching consequences in shaping our beliefs, because we are in the grip of something much bigger than our own individual ambitions, dreams or wants, something we can hardly fight against because it seems and is unavoidable.

Amongst all other transits active at present the passage of Neptune in Pisces could redeem us by fostering compassion and tolerance, in a period of increased turbulence and unrest. Via Neptune’s unifying lenses we may be made to perceive that the aspirations of all human beings on the planet are indeed the same, because our source of being is the same.

For more about the transition of Neptune into Pisces visit my Escape to Neptune post HERE and More about the effect of Neptune in Pisces HERE.

My own Aries’ transits

I have been living through an experience lately, confirming to me the power of planetary configurations on our daily life. This story can also be read as an apology for posting this New Moon article late and also for non having published yet the Mars in Aries’ article I was preparing last week.

A sudden and very acute attack of sciatica prevented me from working. Only tonight I am finally able to sit for any length of time to type.

Well, my sciatica is part of the Aries story really. Mars, entering Aries on Friday, April 2, has formed a perfect right angle (square) with my very early Cancer Sun and my Birth Chiron, on the cusp of Sagittarius and Capricorn. And, of course, Uranus was already forming exactly the same aspects since it too entered Aries on March 12. Uranus was obviously just waiting for Mars passing over the same degree to unleash its sudden fury over my poor sciatic nerve.

Today, New Moon day, Mars is conjunct Uranus; this particular transit has therefore reached its climax. My condition has improved slightly; I feel I am on the road to recovery.

The New Moon always brings some difference, offering an opportunity to look at our predicament in a new light, with hope rather than gloom. I feel that the waxing energy of the New Moon helps the body to fight back or give enough incentive to tackle ongoing problems with a fresh and positive attitude.

I didn’t expect my sciatica to get as bad as it did, so Uranus provided the aspect of unexpectedness, as it is supposed to do.  Mars, on the other hand, brought on the acute stage of the condition, flaring it up. And Chiron the soreness, one to which I am already accustomed, having had it times before. With Chiron is always something from the past that hit us, something ingrained and chronic that causes the physical or psychological unease, fostering at the same time a desire to understand the root cause of a condition, thus also promoting healing.

Of course the very same transits wouldn’t have had the same results if my Natal Gemini Mars did not promise trouble in the first place, opposing Natal Chiron in the Sign of Sagittarius (ruling over the sciatic nerve), conjunct Natal Mercury (planet of mobility), and at right angle to Natal Saturn in Virgo Third House, often stressing life’s limitations in a very physical way. The Saturn in Virgo connection shows me also the obvious consequences of the unhealthy choice of sitting for hours at the computer, forgetting to keep my body in a good posture, foregoing in fact all good advice in this respect.

In good Saturnine fashion I conclude that the sciatica is not just a case of bad luck, but very much of bad choices too.

Mea culpa.

Weekly Astrological Highlights, March 21 to 27

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Highlights of the week

Apology for again posting this weekly update late. There is so much going on at the moment and so little time (and electrical power) in my personal life I’m finding it hard to stick to my deadlines.

Big cosmic events have happened at the start of the week, with the Aries Equinox and the conjunction Sun-Uranus on Monday, March 21.  I have already discussed these events in a previous post, Full Moon in Virgo and the Aries Equinox conjunct Uranus so I’ll only make a note about them here.

The most important mutual aspect this week will be the sesqui-square (135 degrees) between Saturn retrograded in Libra and Neptune on the last degree of Aquarius, on March 25.

Also coming on, but not exact until March 29 is the last opposition Jupiter-Saturn, from Aries to Libra. The most recent difficulties experienced by the global economy, due to many natural and man-made disasters, bear the signature of this historical opposition, the third and last to occur since May 2010. It will be a topic for next week’s highlights.

The Moon is Waning this week, from the late Virgo Full Moon on Sunday, March 20, to the Capricorn Last Quarter Phase, on Saturday, March 26, always a time for self-reflection, when we can begin preparing for the next New Moon in a week time.

To end the week on a positive note, Venus will enter the Water Sign of Pisces, a suitable ambiance for our Love Goddess, on Sunday March 27.

March 21: Astrologers all over the globe are seeking answers in the transits active at the time of the Aries Equinox, the Birth Chart of the new astrological year, to glean a sense of what this new year might bring.

This time, we all agree, the wind of change is blowing, altering the lives of millions in a clean sweep. We all expected dramatic events of some sort, due to the number of significant shifts at hand, but reality has surpassed all expectations.

Putting aside the recent cataclysmic events and gloom and doom predictions, this Sun-Uranus’ conjunction, at this pivotal time of the year and so close to a Full Moon, will present opportunities for a lot of  people to take their lives into their own hands, to become more independent and self-reliant, to accept their differences and find the courage to live by their principles, rather than those the ‘system’ has prepared for them. Psychological freedom from excessive conditioning is what a powerful Uranus’s transit is supposed to foster, even when your external situation may take a longer time than your inner self to shift.

As we have seen in collective uprisings in many parts of the world, people are now impatient for change, ready to fight and even risk their lives in order to make a difference, and to outgrow the past.

If Uranus can make revolutionary heroes out of average citizens of an average world, so too he could revolutionize your life. You need to answer his call however. Change will not happen of its own accord, in most cases, and it would be preferable anyway to be at the helm rather than passively suffer upheavals imposed upon by outside circumstances.

The Sun Sign people in direct contact with Uranus, at the moment, are Aries (March 20 to 22), Cancer (June 21 to 23), Libra (September 23 to 25), Capricorn (December 21 to 23), and also Leo (July 22 to 24) and Sagittarius (November 21 to 23), or anyone with the Moon, one of the four angles (Ascendant, Descendant, Mid-Heaven and Lower Heaven) or a planet in the first degree of the same Signs. Due to the slowness of Uranus (it will remain in Aries for nearly seven more years) this transit will extend its influence for many months.

MARCH 25, FRIDAY: the sesqui-square (a tongue twister of an aspect) between Saturn retrograde in Libra and Neptune, on the last degree of Aquarius, may be considered a minor aspect by some, but in this case it is not. The two planets are in fact slow moving  enough to savor this relationships, not perhaps for as long a time as with a square, opposition or trine, but long enough to leave a definite mark. In this case, for instance, the transit started becoming active in mid March and will remain active until early April (using a one degree orb). Furthermore this is already the second pass (occurrence) of this transit, because the two planets formed the same angle at the end of October 2010, when Saturn was still traveling in direct motion (first pass), and will be forming it again in late August 2011 (third and last pass).Covering such a long period of time it has certainly an impact on the collective psyche and events.

While this angle is said to cause some discordance and delays that require patience, the two planets involved are known to have some natural difficulties in working together anyway, due to their very different natures: Saturn all down to earth and Neptune all spaced- out.

This week in particular it could prove difficult to reconcile the need to be practical and grounded with the need to transcend limitations and allow creative and spiritual experiences to take place. When planets are in aspects the idea is to make them work together, rather than give one or the other the upper hand. In this case, the ideal would be to keep the vision alive (Neptune) without losing our sense of reality or forgetting our duties (Saturn).

Individuals more likely to feel the difficulties of this transit are Libra (October 6 to 8 ), and Aquarius (February 3 to 5).

MARCH 26 and 27, SATURDAY and SUNDAY: these two days are dominated by the Sign’s change of Venus, from logical Aquarius to romantic (and not so logical) Pisces. A post on this shift is in the pipeline. A few words here: in traditional Astrology Neptune is said to represent the higher octave of Venus (a musical term meaning the reproduction of a sound at a higher, or lower pitch), because if we identify Venus with love, we then have to identify Neptune with compassion, the highest expression of love, when we love not for what we can get out of the other person (attention, pleasure, support etc.), but unconditionally. Venus transiting Pisces, the realm of Neptune, is said to take on the spiritual garb of the Oceanic God, to allow us to experience the unconditional love toward our fellow human beings and the sense of unity that that love brings. This is also a very imaginative and artistic Venus, helping us to appreciate beauty in all its forms, from natural to cultural beauty, sensuality and poetry. Negatively we run the risk, while Venus is in Pisces, of glamorizing the idea of love and idealizing the people we love to excess, looking for the ever elusive soul-mate of our dreams. Keeping the heart anchored on something solid (a sense of self), and keeping some emotional boundaries up will help to avoid these pitfalls.

Individuals more likely to feel the enchantment of Venus in Pisces, over the next month, will be Pisces, of course, as well as Cancer, Scorpio, and, mixed with difficulties, also Virgo, Gemini and Sagittarius.

Venus will be transiting Pisces until April 21.

If interested, please click HERE to navigate to my Venus in Aquarius post .****

Click here to navigate to my most recent post on the transit of Uranus in Aries, and other major transits.

For more information about the imminent ingress of Neptune in Pisces, please check two of my posts on the subject HERE and HERE.

A post on  Jupiter transiting Aries can be found HERE.

For a list of all Transits this week and for the rest of the month please CLICK HERE to the Monthly Transits Page

or HERE to navigate to the Astro-Calendar Page.

Full Moon in Virgo and the Aries Equinox conjunct Uranus

You didn’t come into this world. You came out of it like a wave from the ocean. You are not a stranger here.

Alan Watts

While the earthquake-tsunami crisis in Japan continues, aggravated now by the threat of a nuclear melt down, a new international war is unfolding in North Africa, now that the UN has resolved to impose a no fly zone over Libya. Meanwhile the whole Middle East is in grave turmoil on the wake of last months Egypt’s successful push for democratic reforms.

The Full Moon in late Virgo (March 20 in Australia, March 19 in Europe and the US) opposing the Sun on the threshold of Aries, astrological starting point of the year, could see a climax of the last fortnight’s dramatic events, hopefully bringing solutions rather than more heartache.

Uranus is brought to life by the Sun, uniting with it on zero degree Aries, and also by the Moon going to oppose it from the naught degree of Libra. I can’t think of a grander way to announce this eccentric planet on the world stage: a special welcome.

Since antiquity a planet close to the Sun was said to be combust, somewhat weakened by the Sun’s power. But this only until the Sun got really close to the planet, 17′ or less, when the planet’s power actually is said to increase, in a relationship called Cazimi.

Being so close to the center of consciousness of our solar system,  the power of the planet can be revealed in all its glory, bathed as it were in the light of the Sun, becoming one with it. Here, to make this picture more memorable, the Moon is illumining the whole scene, reflecting back to Earth the light of both Sun and Uranus,making us more conscious of their energies, and also easier preys to their potential destructive tendencies. Both Sun and Uranus are highly masculine, outgoing energies that can easily bring us to extremes, feeling on edge or going on over-drive.

Quantum leaps of consciousness could be more common in this occasion and, because this incredible transit begins the year, it will also accompany the year. Exciting and full of surprises, also potentially unsafe, uncompromising, alienating, destructive, aggressive, war-mongering (compare the last ingress of Uranus in Aries, 1927-1935).

Please note also the approaching third and last opposition Jupiter-Saturn (exact on March 29), pointing to a new incarnation of the ongoing financial crisis, another downturn that astrologers predicted all along.

Making this mix even more intriguing on Full Moon day Ceres (Demeter), the largest asteroid, the ancient Earth Mother, Goddess of the harvest and also of mourning, will unite with Neptune, God of the oceans, on the last degree of Aquarius (7 pm Eastern Australia Summer Time, 11 hours East of GMT). This degree is symbolically very significant, marking the Ascendant of the World Chart, now on the cusp of Aquarius, which happens to be at the end of the Sign rather than the start (Precession of the Equinoxes).

I feel that the latest man-made and natural disasters fit well also with the atmosphere of the conjunction Ceres-Neptune, when we cry for our Earth Mother and for ourselves, when families and entire communities are thorn apart, and all we can do is mourn what we have lost, and pray for redemption. A great and sincere wave of compassion has gone around the world with the power of a spiritual tsunami. We have all  been somehow transformed by it.

Last minutes battery power: I post here a few Charts, in batches of 3 (for three different localities, Australia, Japan and Libya) for the Full Moon and Aries Equinox events.

In the Aries Ingress Chart for Japan note the Ascendant on the 29th degree of Taurus, a special degree activated by all the Full Moons since September 2010,and especially by the last Total Eclipse of the Moon of December 21 2010, still very much dominating the fate of  the world today.

Last but not least a double wheel Chart with the Sunrise Chart of Colonel Gaddafi in the inner wheel and the Aries Equinox in the outer wheel.

All these Charts make very interesting reading. Hope they can inspire you to search more.

For more about the current transits, including the SuperMoon effect, please click HERE.

Full Moon 20 March 2011 in Wollumbin, Australia

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Full Moon 20 March 2011 in Japan (coordinates of earthquake’s epicenter)

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Full Moon 19 March 2011 in Libya

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Aries Ingress of the Sun in Wollumbin, Australia

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Aries Ingress of the Sun in Japan (coordinates of earthquake’s epicenter)

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Aries Ingress of the Sun in Libya

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Colonel Geddafi’s Sunrise Chart (time of birth unknown) and the Aries Ingress Chart

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Weekly Astrological Highlights, March 14 to 20

Looking for guidance?

Phone me on 0407 359 682 or

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Highlights of the week

Apology for posting this weekly update late. The unfolding crisis in Japan has pretty much upset my priorities in the last few days.

No major transits are exact this week, while we are all still reeling from the dramatic entrance of Uranus in Aries, last Saturday, March 12.

Prominent in transit are the two inner planets, Mercury and Venus, respectively in Aries and Aquarius.

The Moon is waxing, the Leo Gibbous phase begins on Thursday, March 17, and the Full phase, in the Sign of Virgo, on Sunday, March 20, 5.10 am (Eastern Australia Summer Time = 11 hours East of GMT).

MARCH 14, MONDAY : Mercury in Aries reached a distance of 90 degrees from Pluto in Capricorn on Monday, March 14. The transit will then be active for another day or so.

This was a somewhat depressing transit for lively Mercury: our conversations, writing, reading, learning, teaching leaning toward more profound and serious subjects. Glaring examples of this have been the media and public attention given to the ongoing tragedy in Japan, with very confronting footage of the destruction and death brought by the earthquake and tsunami filling television screens and radio reporting all over the globe. The Fire and Earth Signs will be more directly aligned to this transit, particularly Aries and Capricorn.

In the context of these appalling events the contact Mercury-Pluto reminds one of the Greek myth of Hermes (Mercury) Psychopomp, guiding the souls in the afterlife realm of Hades, name that indicated the place where the souls went after death as well as the God of the underworld himself (what the Romans and astrologers call Pluto). Just a thought, and an intriguing picture by German master Albrecht Durer (1471-1528), born with Pluto on the Ascendant.

The square to Pluto is just the first of Mercury’s transits this week. On Wednesday, March 16, our little brother will become conjunct Jupiter in Aries, on Friday, March 18, he will semi-square Neptune on the cusp Aquarius/Pisces, on Saturday, March 19,will reach the opposition to Saturn in Libra, and finally, on Sunday, March 20 (Full Moon day) Mercury will form a semi-square to Chiron in Pisces.

MARCH 15, TUESDAY : today Venus comes to the fore in transit, first in difficult aspect (semi-square) to Uranus in Aries and then in harmonious aspect (trine) to Saturn in Libra.

When Venus is prominent in transit the feminine is strong, also desires and the pursuit of pleasure and joy are important. Today we may oscillate from the desire to be different and relate in unconventional ways (Uranus’ contact) and the desire to comply with what is expected of us, what is considered proper and straight (Saturn’s contact). Difficult but interesting balance. The Air Signs of Aquarius, Libra and Gemini will feel this transits more keenly.

If interested, please click HERE to navigate to my Venus in Aquarius post .

MARCH 16, WEDNESDAY: today Mercury is conjunct expansive Jupiter, in the fiery Sign of Aries, an optimistic transit that could help to lift our collective spirit for a while.

Astrologically Mercury is said to rule the intellect and our human capacity to mentally analyze our experiences, translating them into words and concepts. Jupiter, on the other hand, is also a planetary energy that deal with mind stuff, but rather than categorizing and discriminating Jupiter has the function of searching for meaning, widening our mental horizons through philosophical thoughts and flights of intuition. We need Jupiter to see the big picture, to observe things from a more global and inclusive perspective, while we need Mercury to function as intelligent beings on the planet. If we define Mercury as Intellect we should then define Jupiter as Intuition. The combination of these planetary energies today will help our intellect to align with intuition, giving us a more refined tool for understanding life. This aspect will be more significant for Aries and the Fire Signs in general.

MARCH 19, SATURDAY: Mercury in Aries opposes Saturn in Libra today. Another difficult but potentially productive contact for Mercury.

After the flights of intuition brought about by the conjunction to Jupiter on Wednesday we are brought back to reality and forced to look at things as they are, minus the embellishments and wishful thinking. Used properly this is a wonderful energy to be particularly efficient in our work, especially paper work and studies, to meet deadlines and plan our future moves. Serious conversations and/or meeting with people from the past could be on the agenda too. The Fire and Air Signs are the ones directly aligned to this transits, in particular Aries and Libra.

MARCH 20, SUNDAY: Full Moon in Virgo today (28° 47′). As I explained in a previous post this Full Moon and the one after, in April, will be the closest to Earth in a period of 18 years (perigee), hence the term SuperMoon used to describe this phenomenon (apparently first coined by astrologer Richard Nolle).

Some have linked the perigee SuperMoon with the Japanese disaster. Reading more about the subject I discovered however that, at the time the quake struck, the Moon was actually at apogee (greatest distance from Earth), because she regularly oscillates between perigee and apogee, in cycles of two weeks (click HERE to calculate the Moon’s apogee and perigee periods for any year).

The perigee that will occur during today Full Moon will cause higher than usual tides, while its effects could have been anticipated by other astrological factors, active at the time of the disaster, as it often happens in astrological experience.

These things remain a mystery, to astrologers and astronomers alike, no matter how much the skeptics try to deny the lunar influence on Earth’s affairs. We should then remain open to the possibility that this special time in the Moon’s cycle could indeed bring special effects to planet Earth.

****

Click here to navigate to my most recent post on the transit of Uranus in Aries, and other major transits.   

For more information about the imminent ingress of Neptune in Pisces, please check two of my posts on the subject HERE and HERE.

A post on  Jupiter transiting Aries can be found HERE.

For a list of all Transits this week and for the rest of the month please CLICK HERE to the Monthly Transits Page

or HERE to navigate to the Astro-Calendar Page.

Can Astrology make sense of Japan’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear menace?

First of all let’s examine the Chart of the earthquake itself.  The coordinates used were given by the International Seismological Center,  and are those of the epicenter.

Here it is.

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Celestial Bodies orbiting parallel to the Earth Equator, with Saturn holding the reins

One thing is immediately apparent, as it was in the Christchurch, NZ, recent quake: many celestial bodies are at the present time orbiting parallel to the Earth’s Equator, including the Sun, Mercury, Mars, Chiron in Pisces (Sign just South of the Equator), and also Jupiter, Uranus and Saturn respectively in Aries and Libra (both Equatorial Signs).

This alignment on the mid-drift of the Earth could by itself increase the possibility of severe seismic and volcanic activity. Another one is the grouping of  many celestial bodies on one side of the sky while only Saturn stands alone on the other side.  Here is an interesting article by Australian astrologer Ed Tamplin on the astrological factors often involved in earthquakes and in particular on the role of Saturn.

The Sabian symbol for the degree occupied by Saturn (16th of Libra) reads: ‘a boat landing washed away(!!!).

To make this symbolic connection even more significant Saturn will transit  this degree between March 5 and 20, two entire weeks, due to retrogradation.

The middle degree of Libra is the starting point of the so called Via Combusta too, a section of the Zodiac, between the middle of Libra and the middle of Scorpio, that is considered unpredictable, unstable, even dangerous in the practice of  Horary Astrology.

Symbolically then Saturn seems to play an important part in this event.

The local Horizon-Meridian Axis in Fixed Signs

Not surprising to students of Astrology the four Fixed Signs were on the Horizon and Meridian of that time and place, Leo on the Ascendant, Aquarius on the Descendant, while Taurus and Scorpio are found on the Mid-Heaven and Lower-Heaven respectively. Because Leo was on the Ascendant the Sun is ruler of this Chart and is placed in the Eighth House of Death and Loss, together with Mars, Uranus and Mercury. Saturn is instead in the Second House, which in a Mundane Chart like this one represents the wealth of the nation, its financial institutions etc. Already in deep troubles before the event these were dealt a terrible blow by the enormity of this disaster.

It is a well known astrological tenet that Fixed Signs have greater propensity for earthquakes and all kinds of violent disasters, offering stronger resistance to all changes.

I cite here just a few recent examples I have personally observed:

• The Christchurch’s (New Zealand) earthquake of February 22, 2011: Ascendant in Taurus, Descendant in Scorpio, Mid-Heaven in Aquarius, Lower-Heaven in Leo.
• Category 5 Cyclone Yasi in North Queensland, on February 3, 2011: Ascendant in Scorpio, Descendant in Taurus, Mid-Heaven in Leo, Lower-Heaven in Aquarius.
• New Moon on the day cyclone Yasi struck Queensland coast: Ascendant in Taurus, Descendant in Scorpio, Mid-Heaven in Aquarius, Lower-Heaven in Leo.
• The Tibetan Earthquake of April 14 2010, which killed nearly 3.000 people : Ascendant in Taurus, Descendant in Scorpio, Mid-Heaven in Capricorn, Lower-Heaven in Cancer.
• The massive Haiti earthquake of January 12 2010 that killed more than 200.000 people . This event was preceded by two Eclipses, a Lunar on December 31 2009 and a Solar on January 15 2010. At the times of both these Eclipses in Haiti the Horizon and Meridian were also in Fixed Signs. During the Moon Eclipse: Ascendant in Taurus, Descendant in Scorpio, Mid-Heaven in Aquarius, Lower-Heaven in Leo. And during the Sun Eclipse: Ascendant in Scorpio, Descendant in Taurus, Mid-Heaven in Leo, Lower-Heaven in Aquarius.

These would be  indeed very strange coincidences if Astrology could not explain them as it does!

The relevant articles on these events can be found via these links: New Zealand’s February Quake ~ Cyclone Yasi in North Queensland ~ Tibetan Earthquake of April 14 2010 ~ Haiti Earthquake of January 12 2010 ~

Parallels and Counter-Parallels

Studying the Earthquake Chart, apart from many traditional aspects, I have observed a number of Parallel and Counter-Parallels of Declination. These aspects are special because they are not measured in longitudinal distance but rather in declination, North or South of the Ecliptic (Earth’s orbit). Celestial Bodies occupying the same degree of declination North or South are said to be in Parallel, while those on the same degree of declination but in different hemisphere are said to be in Counter-Parallel.

These aspects are important, the Parallel acting in a similar way to conjunctions and the Counter-Parallels to oppositions.

I have found that the Sun, ruler of the Earthquake Chart, was in Parallel to Saturn (similar to a conjunction to Saturn, considered traditionally unfortunate) and Counter-Parallel to Jupiter (similar to an opposition to Jupiter, also traditionally inauspicious),  while Jupiter and Saturn were in Counter-Parallel to each other (similar to an opposition). The actual opposition between Jupiter and Saturn not that far away, becoming exact on March 31. The Counter-Parallel anticipating the opposition’s effect.

Furthermore Mercury was in Counter-parallel to Uranus (similar to an opposition), another significant connection between these two.

The Ingress of Uranus in Aries

Astrologers are rightly having a field day with the ingress of Uranus in Aries coinciding so closely to this massive earthquake and its aftermath. It is nearly too perfect to be true, especially now that we are all anxiously waiting for news of those damaged nuclear reactors, that actually contain radioactive Uranium which is dangerously heating up (Aries Fire)!

Due to the present nuclear dread in Fukushima and others nuclear plants in Japan, Uranium stocks are falling on the stock market in Australia, country that produces more than 30% of the economically exploitable Uranium in the world. This seems to be in accord with the general planetary trends pointing to another downturn period for the global economy.

In my previous post on the Japanese event I stressed the importance of Mercury as a medium for the Uranian energy, entering Aries only two days before. But there are many other angles from which we can look at this Uranus astrologically, to try to understand why, of all days in a year when huge transits occur, this one day brought about such catastrophe.

To penetrate the mystery we need to look at other aspects Uranus was forming on the day, as well as at the link with other cosmic events, like the two Eclipses that have preceded the earthquake (Lunar on December 21 2010 and Solar on January 4 2011). And also we need to place these transits in the context of Japan’s Birth Charts (1889 and 1952).

On the day of the earthquake and tsunami Uranus, on the 29th degree of Pisces, was still forming a semi-sextile to Neptune on the 29th degree of Aquarius, transit that had been exact in mid-January. Due to the slowness of these two planets the angle was separating  by less than a degree (49 minutes of arc), still very close.  Mercury in early Aries was forming the same aspect (semi-sextile) with Chiron in early Pisces. Considering the nature of this event, sudden and violent (Uranus on the cusp Pisces-Aries) and beginning under the sea (Neptune) the transit fits the bill perfectly, also considering that this was the very last day these two planets would have been in Mutual Reception (one in the Sign of the other and viceversa), relationship that began when Uranus entered Pisces in 2003. At the same time there is another active Mutual Reception between Mars in Pisces (Sign ruled by Jupiter-Neptune) and Jupiter in Aries (Sign ruled by Mars). This relationship Mars-Jupiter, between Water and Fire Signs, is also very appropriate to the nature of the event, expressing itself violently and from a sea location (Mars in Pisces), and with great and expanding power (Jupiter in Aries magnifying the fiery nature of  Mars in the watery realm of Pisces). I feel all this to be remarkable.

Of great interest is also the fact that all the Full Moons since September 2010 have been on the 29th degree of the Signs, so that the degrees of both Uranus and Neptune have been activated by these Lunations, including the Total Eclipse of the Moon of December 21 2010, the day of the Capricorn Solstice. During this lunar eclipse the Sun and Moon were on the 29th degree of Sagittarius and Gemini therefore forming a square with the transiting Uranus and a sextile and trine with the transiting Neptune, aspects that became more exact by the time of the Japanese earthquake. Even the Lunar Nodes, eclipses’ signposts,  that were, at the time of the lunar eclipse, in early Capricorn and Cancer, reached the 28th degree of Sagittarius and Gemini at the time of the earthquake in Japan! We can definitely connect this powerful eclipse with the recent events in Japan. Mars exalted, strong in Capricorn, was separating from a conjunction to Pluto and approaching a square to Saturn in Libra at the time of the eclipse, showing the inherent dangers for the weeks and months ahead, eclipses always having an extended effect in time.

Jupiter was also close to conjunct Uranus for the last time before entering Aries in January, so Jupiter was augmenting the power of Uranus as well. At the time of the Solar Eclipse of January 4 2011 the last conjunction became exact, the solar eclipse making this transit truly powerful and far reaching, as this massive earthquake has demonstrated.

At present Jupiter, obviously another major actor in these events, is also separating from a 90 degrees angle to Pluto in Capricorn, that became exact on February 26, a potentially very destructive and deeply transforming angle, Jupiter enhancing also the power of the Underworld God. 

Read more on the December 21 Lunar Eclipse HERE. And the January 4 Solar Eclipse HERE.

Here is are two double wheel Charts. The top one has the Japan Earthquake Chart in the inner wheel and the Lunar Eclipse Chart on the outer wheel. The bottom one has the Japan Earthquake in the inner wheel and the Solar Eclipse in the outer wheel.  All Charts are calculated for the coordinates of Hoshu.

Please note the position of the Moon, transiting the Sign of Gemini during both the earthquake and lunar eclipse, the end of Gemini during the eclipse, and the beginning of Gemini at the time of the earthquake. More about the Moon in Gemini later.

The Earthquake Chart and the Total Lunar Eclipse of December 21 2010

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The Earthquake Chart and the Solar Eclipse of January 4 2011

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The earthquake’s transits become even more remarkable when we look at them over the backdrop of the two Birth Charts of Japan.

Here I consider some of the connections between these transits and the Imperial Chart of 1889.

Imperial Japan Birth Chart (1889) activated by the Earthquake’s Transits

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The Moon in Gemini

If the entrance of Uranus in Aries, plus the Sun and three planets in the Eighth House of Death weren’t enough, the transiting Moon, at the time of the quake, had just entered Gemini, a significant placement for Japan, because the Moon happened also to transit Gemini in Japan’s Imperial Chart of 1889 as well as the Modern Japan’s Chart of 1952.

Strange enough the Moon happened also to transit Gemini at the time of the magnitude 9.1 Sumatra’s earthquake and tsunami of December 26 2004, and the more recent Indonesian tsunami of October 25, 2010. As well as at the time of the first salvos on Krakatoa, on August 26 1883, and when the three big blasts of the same eruption occurred, on August 27 1883.

All this seems to show a different face of the airy and light Gemini Moon of astrological lore!

The Moon was also involved in significant transits with some of this event’s major actors, on the day disaster struck. The Moon was in fact in aspect to Mercury, catalyst of the Uranian energy; Saturn, the planet modern astrologers call the Lord of Karma and the ancients recognized as the root-cause of earth tremors, ruling as it does the Earth plane; Chiron, planet of collective suffering and healing; Uranus, planet of sudden and unexpected events; Neptune, God of the Oceans and all that happens therein; and the Lunar Nodes, the axis of destiny, connected with recent eclipses. As I will explain a bit later the Moon’s aspects to Mercury and Saturn seem particularly relevant here, due to the role of these planets in the event when compared to the Birth Charts of Japan.

Naught degree of Gemini is also the middle of the Pleiades Star Cluster in the constellation of Taurus. These stars were considered by some writers to have an evil influence, causing bereavement, mourning, sorrows and tragedies, and also abundant rains and floods, their name meaning ‘The Rainy Stars’. The Star Alcyone, most brilliant amongst the Seven Sisters, was perfectly conjunct the transiting Moon at the time. All the Pleiades were known in antiquity as the Sailor’s Stars.

According to Arab astrologers when the Moon was transiting the Mansion connected with these stars (Al Thurayya, the Many Little Ones) one could plant and sow but do not marry or travel by water.

Other amazing connections between Japan’s Imperial Birth Chart and the earthquake’s transits

• The transiting Moon is conjunct Imperial Japan’s Neptune and Pluto. Now this is something!  Being born with a conjunction Neptune-Pluto the nation of Japan was destined to experience destructive upheavals and profound transformations involving the sea (Neptune) and the depths of the Earth (Pluto). It also shows Imperial Japan’s fascination and delusional aspirations (Neptune) for power and war (Pluto); heroic ideals that were utterly defeated in the Second World War. Hiroshima and Nagasaki come to mind, as well as the constant fear of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions with which the Japanese people have learnt to live. The fact that now Japan is also facing the prospect of melt down in some of its nuclear power plants shows the connection Moon-Pluto in action. This, together with the transits of Uranus, is proving indeed disastrous. And there is more, because the transiting Moon was also at right angle to Imperial Japan’s Mercury in early Pisces, while the transiting Neptune and Chiron are both conjunct the same Mercury and at right angle with the transiting Moon as well as Japan’s Neptune and Pluto! The Moon, in this type of Chart, is said to represent the people. So meaningfully connected with these destiny makers (conjunction Neptune-Pluto, square transiting Neptune-Chiron etc.) the Moon is a symbol here of the great loss of human lives.
  

• The significant role of Mercury is confirmed by the fact that transiting Mercury (major activator of Uranus on the cups of Aries) was also approaching a sesqui-square (135 degrees) to Japan’s Saturn in Leo, while, at the same time, transiting Saturn in Libra was sesqui-square Japan’s Mercury in Pisces. This is what astrologers like to call a ‘double whammy’, the repeat of the same aspect, putting a strong accent on the power of these planets in the unfolding of this particular event. The double aspect was possible because the two Saturn (the transiting one and Japan’s) are close to a sextile aspect (60 degrees), a positive aspect, showing perhaps how early warning, strict building regulations and many other cautionary measures have saved many in the circumstances, the positive aspects of Saturn indicating caution and forethought.

Please check my next posts for more on the astrological signature of the Japan event. There are in fact many more meaningful aspects to be considered, in particular the connection with the 1952 Birth Chart of Modern Japan.