New Moon June 22, 2009: Summertime

Astrology is a wonderful tool for deep self-exploration and personal intention-setting. It is also useful in looking with a dispassionate eye at the mundane world of governments and leaders.

The Summer Solstice chart (the Cancer Ingress Chart) informs us about the mundane issues that are important to our civic lives. Such a chart can answer questions like, How will the economy do this season? How will President Obama lead the country over the next three months? What public sectors ask for more attention at this time?

Summer Solstice. The chart for the Summer Solstice set for Washington, DC has an Aries Ascendant. Coincidentally, the Spring Ingress chart for Washington also had Aries rising. The tone is one of taking action, leading the way. The ascendant on a mundane chart set for that country’s capital describes the nation—how the rest of the world perceives us. Along with displaying leadership we may be perceived as aggressive or willing to fight for our point of view. Mars, the chart ruler is in stubborn Taurus, the sign of Mars’ detriment. Our leadership may feel heavy-handed or simply out of touch. However, I am intrigued by the conjunction of Venus in her own sign, Taurus, with this Mars. Mars and Venus have been traveling together for an extended period of time due to the recent retrograde motion of Venus. Venus has been moving much slower, at Mars’ speed. These two have had quite a conference, first in Aries and now in Taurus. The tryst is about to end now that Venus is speeding up again. Perhaps the god of war taught the goddess of love a bit about his direct approach while they were both in Aries and now she instructs Mars in the ways of beauty and delight in her own sign of Taurus. Perhaps the lessons of will and pleasure will help us all to be better leaders in the world.

Venus and Taurus also rule the economy. Venus being strong in her own sign and applying to a harmonious trine with Saturn in Virgo, is an indication that there may be more stability in the economy this season. It would be a good thing to take this strong Venus/Saturn connection into action around what we need for sustainability and wholeness. Saturn’s transit through Virgo has called attention to health, holistic living, and stewardship of the Earth. Progress may be made in these areas this summer because the only aspect Saturn is making in this chart is that trine to Venus and Mars.

The trine between Venus/Mars and Saturn also describes President Obama this season, since Saturn rules the 10th house, which describes a country’s ruler or leader. The major problem here is that things may move slowly for Obama with Mars being in Taurus, but these planets contribute a feeling of security, stability, and effectiveness.

The Moon in these charts describes the people of the nation. The Moon is In Gemini and is conjunct Gemini’s ruler, Mercury, in the second house. It looks like the people are hungry for information, especially information that will help them create sustainability and economic stability – issues that pertain to the 2nd house.

The most difficult aspect in the Summer Solstice chart is the opposition between the Sun and Pluto. Pluto unveils toxic secrets and rules the 8th house of debt. The Sun represents conscious identity and rules the 5th house that pertains to, among other things, the stock market. There is a link between the speculation of the 5th house and the debt we are holding. Will those who are responsible for our economic mess be held accountable? Will we find the will to create new laws and regulations that could prevent such abuses? Uranus is the revolutionary force that is squaring Pluto and the Sun. This square from Uranus is a hint of stronger revolution to come when this planet moves into Aries in May 2010. The times are indeed changing.

The trio of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius are perfectly located in the 11th house-the Natural House for Aquarius. Past boundaries of separation are dissolving in our communities and organizations. Jupiter takes this even further; perhaps we are experiencing more unity throughout the world. Although I am not sure where the Internet fits into the mundane house system of astrology, a good case could be made for the World Wide Web fitting into the 11th house. Social networks are a new frontier. However, as a culture, we seem to be more enamored with the latest cell phone technology than we are with the idea of doing the hard work that will help us solve some of our crucial problems. Neptune always presents us with the latest and most enticing illusions. Connection to others is valuable; new toys may distract.

The New Moon this month occurs a day after the ingress of the Sun into Cancer. Therefore most of the same qualities for the Solstice chart hold true for the New Moon chart. The Sun and Moon this month face off with Pluto, and both sides of the opposition are forming a square with Uranus. At the beginning of this lunar month it may be hard to grasp the calm energy of Venus/Mars in Taurus trine to Saturn. We may be facing off into our own oppositions, which seem to evoke power plays about who is in control (Pluto provokes these responses.) This New Moon in Cancer is a time to honor our feelings. How we feel about our beloveds, how we feel we are being treated, how we feel about the downtrodden, how we feel about our feelings. If we are feeling a little reactionary, it could be that Pluto and Uranus want to take these natural and normal feelings and place them on a much bigger stage where it may think they mean so much more. This lunar cycle is a time to understand how feelings are important and how they can get blown out of proportion sometimes.

The square between Mercury and Saturn in the new moon chart invite us to try and explain, discuss and reach better understandings with others. This will be good work this month.

The Full Moon will be a penumbral lunar eclipse—an eclipse so barely an eclipse that it will not be visible to the naked eye, according to NASA’s excellent Eclipse Web Site . Still we may sense a shadow falling over the Full Moon’s brilliance this month. Energetically, eclipses are times when we may be set suddenly upon new paths. This Full Moon occurs in the middle of the opposing signs of Cancer and Capricorn. These two signs are about ways we manage, parent, tend or defend what we cherish. Capricorn means business. What ways do we need to embrace the true seriousness of our global situation? What are ways we need to take responsibility? This Full Moon may illuminate that for us. The triple conjunction of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron (see here for more about this) are squared by Mars in Taurus. Last month, Mercury was in this position. The message has been sent by Mercury that our boundaries are merging in both wonderful and perhaps alarming ways. Now Mars will invite us to take action.

The harmonious trine from Saturn to the Moon and the encouraging sextile to the Sun seem to offer a brief respite from the overly-critical nature of Saturn in Virgo. We can feel that Saturn is actually on our side. Now is a really good time to take stock of all the Virgo things you have taken on since September 2007 when Saturn entered Virgo. Virgo-approved activities are: organizing your life, initiating and maintaining personal practice—especially those practices that improve your health, service actions, and honing one’s knowledge about any topic. In August, Saturn will enter the last decan of Virgo (the last third of the sign). The final push to acquire all these Virgo lessons will really heat up then.

Summertime can be a wonderful time to take a break, change our schedules, find ourselves doing work that feeds our bodies or hearts. Soak in the Sun’s blessings this season and have a good summer.

There are times this month when our celestial stories are emphasized. The highlights are:

July 1 Uranus 26° Pisces. stations retrograde
July 1 Venus 25° Taurus squares Chiron 25° Aquarius
July 1 Venus 26° Taurus square Neptune 26° Aquarius
July 1 Mercury 25° Gemini trines Chiron 25° Aquarius
July 1 Mercury 26° Gemini trines Neptune 26° Aquarius
July 1 Mercury 26° Gemini trines Jupiter 26° Aquarius
July 1 Mercury 26° Gemini square Uranus 26° Pisces
July 1 Venus 26° Taurus square Jupiter 26° Aquarius
July 1 Venus 26° Taurus sextiles Uranus 26° Pisces
July 5 Mars 25° Taurus square Chiron 25° Aquarius
July 6 Mars 26° Taurus square Neptune 26° Aquarius
July 6 Mars 26° Taurus square Jupiter 26° Aquarius
July 7 Full Moon – Lunar eclipse at 15° Capricorn
July 10 Jupiter retrograde 26° Aquarius conjunct Neptune 26° Aquarius

New Moon May 24, 2009: Season of Ideas

The Sun and Moon meet in Gemini this month. The signatures of this mutable air sign are all around me, from the pollen drifting in the wind to the enlightening coincidences brought to me courtesy of the divine trickster, Mercury. Our minds speed up in the season of Gemini, or seem to. My mind is buzzing as I consider where we are in the evolutionary journey. This month, I’d like to share the ideas floating in the air around me. Perhaps they will fertilize something emerging in you.

The “Universal” is where it’s at right now. All the universal planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, are in the universal signs, Capricorn through Pisces. Hedge witch philosopher, Donald Engstrom, likes to remind people that we live in a larger reality than a single universe. He points out that actually, we dwell in the multiverse. It It takes an expansion of the mind to grasp this idea of simultaneous multiple universes. The outer planets in these larger, multiversal signs are poised to help us expand mind, consciousness, and possibility.

Astrology’s lifeblood is coincidence. Coincidence or synchronicity can lead to enlightenment. If there is one thing that astrology has taught me and that I try to pass on to my students and clients, it is that there is meaning all around us. Random events and patterns found in the sky tell us that the cosmos is alive and is communicating with us. And we can communicate back! Lately in my world, I’ve noticed conversations about the Trickster, fears about global pandemic, the importance of community, and teachings about duality. The cosmos is communicating about these important topics via these important events: the triple conjunction of Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter in Aquarius (for more about this transit), Mercury’s retrograde journey beginning in the sign of duality—Gemini, Pluto’s ingress into Capricorn. (for more about this transit), and the ongoing opposition between Uranus and Saturn. (for more about this transit.) There is a lot going on. Actually, all the planets and signs are constantly telling us something. The challenge and the fun is teasing out what is important now.

The New Moon in Gemini sets the tone of the month. The ruler of Gemini is Mercury and Mercury is currently retrograde. Mercury retrogrades three times a year, the most of any planet. Having to do with communication, travel, and thought, Mercury shows us how to reweave duality into unity and then back into duality. The most mobile of planets and gods, Mercury never stays fixed for long, just like our own minds.

Last weekend I had the delight of attending a Yoga Nidra class taught by Katherine Banbury at her Kula Center for Yoga in St. Paul. According to Katherine, Yoga Nidra is a meditative practice that helps us to perceive duality and the transcendence of duality. “Yoga Nidra points out that we live in two worlds simultaneously, the world of Immanence wherein we experience everything, and the world of Transcendence where we are aware of everything. Transcendence is the other half of the equation whereby we realize that we are the Presence in which life is immanently unfolding.” – from Banbury’s class handout. During this guided meditation we are led into the experience of duality, then the merging of duality while we ask the question, ”If I am not this, nor this, what am I?” Perhaps because Mercury was retrograde during the class, I found that I could step into that third, strange place where everything was indeed possible. Mercury likes to present possibilities while keeping actualities just out of grasp. This is his Trickster aspect. What new possibilities are luring you into the next stage of your journey?

Last month’s new moon chart showed Mercury at 24° Taurus square to the triple conjunction of Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter. Due to retrograde motion, Mercury is back again for another statement squaring these three planets from 24° Taurus. Two days after last month’s new moon, the United States declared a public health emergency based on the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico. Although the triple conjunction of Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter is about so much more than world pandemic, this signature fits well with the global health crisis that may be before us. Mercury is the messenger, the broadcaster, of the solar system. Perhaps this month, new broadcasts about our common concerns will come to the forefront. The questions I am holding are: What are we learning about our connections? What separations are no longer relevant? How do we broaden our awareness to include diverse cultural points of view? How do we take care of each other?

I came across this message while doing some research on the web: “Over the last 14 billion years, as western science currently understands it, the growing edge of evolution – the appearance of radically new forms of complexity – has moved from the cosmic to geologic to biologic to cultural.” - Peggy Holman, co-author of The Change Handbook. If this is true, then the stars are affirming that our growing edge is in cultural evolution. Mars and Venus sextile the triple conjunction. This encouraging relationship between both Mars and Venus to Neptune, Chiron, and Jupiter this month present opportunities to embrace cultural evolution in an exhilarating manner.

Another interesting feature of this New Moon chart is Saturn standing unaspected and lonely at 14° Virgo. Unaspected planets sometimes scream out for attention. Saturn has recently stationed direct after a retrograde journey that began on December 31, 2008. Saturn will be regaining ground until August when it will move rapidly through the last degrees of Virgo, entering Libra on October 29. The ingress into Libra will invoke the square aspect between Pluto and Saturn. This is a highly significant transit signaling more work and hard lessons. But for now, it is important to notice how Saturn in Virgo is teaching us what we need to know. I think of this as my opportunity to acquire Virgoan skills that surely will come in handy in the coming years. These skills include: right-relationship with perfectionism, discernment, personal practice related to spirituality and health, and a sense of what I am serving and why.

The Full Moon is an important turning point in the lunar cycle. In the Full Moon chart for June 7, Mercury is again playing a major role. Mercury is at 25° Taurus, this time moving direct, and still squaring the triple conjunction. To add an extra punch these planets are stationary, meaning they are near the degree of changing direction. Stationary planets are more powerful and anyone who has personal planets or important points in their charts ranging from 20° to 28° of any fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius), will certainly be feeling the effects of these stations. We will all feel this energy, but for you it will be personal. At the full moon, Saturn is square to the Sun and Moon. With the emphasis this month being on the mind, Saturn in earthy Virgo reminds us to get practical. Where do your hopes and dreams meet reality? Although Saturn seems to but a damper on our optimism, what Saturn really does is make our dreams real. What is that work like for you?

The lunar month ends with the Sun entering Cancer, otherwise known as the Summer Solstice. Next month, I’ll write more about what that chart is showing us.
Dates important to our stories:

May 26 Mars 26° Aries sextile Chiron 26° Aquarius
May 26 Mars 26° Aries sextile Jupiter 26° Aquarius
May 26 Mars 26° Aries sextile Neptune 26° Aquarius
May 27 Jupiter 26° Aquarius conjunct Neptune 26° Aquarius
May 28 Neptune stations retrograde 26° Aquarius
May 30 Chiron stations retrograde 26° Aquarius
May 30 Mercury 22° Taurus stations direct
June 2 Venus 26° Aries sextile Chiron 26° Aquarius
June 2 Venus 26° Aries sextile Neptune 26° Aquarius
June 2 Venus 26° Aries sextile Jupiter 26° Aquarius
June 5 Sun 15° Gemini square Saturn 15° Virgo (reality check)
June 6 Venus enters Taurus after being in Aries (mostly) since February. Venus rules Taurus. She is happy there.
Full Moon June 7
June 9 Mercury 26° Taurus square Chiron 26° Aquarius
June 9 Mercury 26° Taurus square Neptune 26° Aquarius
June 9 Mercury 26° Taurus sextile Uranus 26° Pisces (the great awakener, Uranus helps Mercury to carry the message)
June 10 Mercury 26° Taurus square Jupiter 26° Aquarius
June 13 Mercury enters Gemini, the sign it rules
June 15 Jupiter stations retrograde 27° Aquarius
June 16 Sun 26° Gemini trine (harmonizes) Chiron 26° Aquarius
June 17 Sun 26° Gemini trine Neptune 26° Aquarius
June 17 Sun 26° Gemini trine Jupiter 26° Aquarius
June 17 Sun 26° Gemini square Uranus 26° Pisces
June 20 Sun enters Cancer
June 21 Venus 15° Taurus conjunct Mars. Desire is strong, express it sensually.
June 22 Venus 16° Taurus trine Saturn 16* Virgo
June 22 Mars 16° Taurus trine Saturn 16° Virgo

New Moon April 24, 2009: The Wisdom in Community

In the New York Times Magazine this Sunday I read this quote, taken from an article entitled, “Why Isn’t the Brain Green?” by Jon Gertner: “In 2005 and 2006, an anthropologist observed how the behavior of poor Ugandan farmers could be influenced by whether they listened to crucial rainy-season radio broadcasts in groups or as individuals. Farmers in ‘community groups’ achieved consensus and made better use of the forecast.” The article describes studies done by scientists who want “to understand decision-making in situations of uncertainty.” Comparisons are made between the decision-making process for an individual and for groups. One of the scientists went on to say, “ We enjoy congregating; we need to know we are part of groups. It gives us inherent pleasure to do this. And when we are reminded of the fact that we’re part of communities, then the community becomes sort of the decision-making unit. That’s how we make huge sacrifices, like in World War II.”

Communities are playing a huge role in our world. It seems that every single page of the newspaper these days one finds something written about new online social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Cutting edge culture is about networking, communal action, global consciousness. It seems like we are now really at the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, the sign where all this energy fits. Three planets and the North Node of the Moon currently occupy Aquarius. Jupiter, riding the wave of all this collective expression, entered Aquarius in January 2009. Neptune has held court here since 1998. Chiron has been in Aquarius since 2005. All three of these planets are rendezvousing at 26 degrees Aquarius in May. Perhaps this near exact triple conjunction is the crest of the Aquarian wave that has been building since Neptune’s ingress into the sign. Astrologers are at odds about when the true dawning of the Age of Aquarius will be—it may be now, it may be in 200 years or so—but this month will be a good peek at what the new age has in store for our world.

What is the power of community? During this year while Jupiter is in Aquarius, we are inclined to believe that the power of community is the greatest power we have. That’s how Jupiter operates. There are two teachers in the zodiac. Jupiter is the cool professor whose classes are always full; the lessons are fun and seem to reveal something very important even as they disappear quickly from our memories. Saturn’s classes, in comparison, are unpopular, there is a lot of work, but we always remember what we learned in that class. Yes, Jupiter moves on more quickly, but with the added oomph of Neptune and Chiron, there is opportunity for a true shift in consciousness. We have the opportunity to focus less on our individuality and more on our collectivity. According to these scientists, this may be key to our survival.

The other teacher, Saturn continues to tread the ground of Virgo. Saturn stations direct this month, increasing the Saturn effect. In some ways, the two signs—Virgo and Aquarius—could not be more different from each other. Virgo is methodical, resists grand leaps of faith. It is hopeful only if all the practical groundwork has been laid down first. Otherwise, there is too much work for Virgo to be truly optimistic. If Aquarius describes communal life, then Virgo is the Hermit, the solitary energy of steadfastness. Whenever paradoxical energy is present, we can learn to navigate the middle path. What energy are you feeling more strongly? How can you benefit from broadening into the other point of view? The communal exuberance we may be experiencing right now can be grounded in the practicalities of Virgo.

The New Moon of April 24 has the Sun and Moon at 5° Taurus square to the nodes of the Moon. (North node at 4° Aquarius and South node at 4° Leo). This position of the New Moon is called “the bendings” of the nodal axis—a potent location in the zodiac. Emphasis is placed at this time on the nodes, what they are calling on us to learn (North node) and renew (South node). The agenda may be to learn how to be communal people once again. The renewal should occur in the arena of ineffective attitudes about individualism and ego. It isn’t that the Leo nature is bad, because it isn’t. Leo is necessary to our communal possibilities. But we need to reevaluate what has not worked about this energy in the past. The other fixed signs, Taurus and Scorpio get the spotlight this month. Taurus at the New Moon; Scorpio at the Full. These signs add the significance of life and death to the equation. What is abstract and theoretical in Aquarius and pure potential in Leo, needs to get real in Taurus and Scorpio. People with earth and water emphasis in their charts may feel relieved that the energy returns this month to this domain. When all fixed signs are activated like they will be this month, struggles can be intense. However, these struggles can also fuel our creativity and resolve.

Mercury’s role this month. In the New Moon chart Mercury in Taurus is square to Jupiter/Chiron/Neptune. Then it stations retrograde a few days later on May 6. Mercury is not only the Trickster. Mercury is also the lens that focuses our perceptions. If the energy of Jupiter/Chiron/Neptune has been somewhat nebulous so far, then this month through the trickster’s lessons, we may be able to define what this transit is about. Or maybe not. I never take Mercury retrograde periods for granted. If we are coming to rely heavily on our computers to link us to community, then Mercury is poised to wreak havoc on those systems. How else might we create community? Are we too dependent on computers and cell phones? My recommendation is to back up files. And to notice. Mercury retrograde periods are fantastic for noticing our assumptions and how they can get us into trouble.

The Full Moon chart shows Mercury retrograde at the degree of stationing. The Moon and Sun are squaring the triple conjunction of Jupiter/Chiron/Neptune. Both Mars and Venus are in Aries. Saturn is also stationary. As a complete picture, the energy is elevated. Impulsivity is increased with the squares and with Mars and Venus both in Aries. The stationing Saturn points to pent up energy, perhaps expecting more perfection from self and others. Mercury presents us with uncertainty. Perhaps the best use of this Full Moon period is to simplify daily life, at least for a few days. The caution is to not be so busy, and so dependent on computers and fast communication, that we aren’t able to tune into the spiritual significance of the planets in Aquarius.

We have always been communal creatures. However, the challenges of our world may be asking us to make better use of community so that we can make the changes we need to for the survival of our beloved planet and our beloved friends and families. Chiron shows us the opening in spirit where we can embrace this new way of being. May it lead to healing.

Dates important to our stories:
April 25 Mercury 25° Taurus square Chiron 25° Aquarius
April 25 Mercury 26° Taurus square Neptune 26° Taurus
April 26 Mars 3° Aries square Pluto 3° Capricorn
May 2 Venus 3° Aries square Pluto 3° Capricorn
May 6 Mercury stations retrograde 1° Gemini
May 8 Full Moon
May 16 Sun 25° Taurus square Jupiter 25° Aquarius
May 16 Sun 26° Taurus square Chiron 26° Aquarius
May 20 Mercury 26° Taurus square Neptune 26° Aquarius (2nd time)
May 20 Mercury 26° Taurus square Chiron 26° Aquarius (2nd time)
May 20 Mercury 26° Taurus square Jupiter 26° Aquarius (2nd time)
May 23 Jupiter conjunct Chiron at 26° Aquarius

New Moon, March 26, 2009: Flowing strands of energy

As I sit down to write about this lunar month I wonder, “What do I need to be mindful of for the next few weeks? How can I best adapt myself to this energy so that I may embrace life in the most authentic, joyful, and effective way possible?” These questions are my guides for using astrology. I find that I use my awareness of the earth and the seasons to inform me about energy as much as I use astrological symbols. How can I ignore the influence of spring thaw here in Minneapolis, the returning light after a dark winter, the swollen rivers spilling their banks? These are as important to me as Saturn transiting Virgo and Venus retrograding through Aries. As an astrologer I constantly ask myself, what must I pay attention to? What serves me, the clients who come to me, and what also serves the whole, my contribution to co-creating the world as I attempt to live mindfully each day? The answer to this question shifts and changes often. It keeps things interesting.

Now, at this New Moon in Aries, I find myself paying attention to several celestial strands of energy. I am aware that Pluto is preparing to station retrograde shortly after the New Moon; that Neptune, Chiron, and Jupiter are coming closer and closer together culminating in a near triple conjunction at the end of May; that Venus is continuing her retrograde journey in Aries; and that during the season of Aries I want to pay attention to its ruler, Mars. As I notice energy and events, I find that it is helpful to keep several stories in mind at one time. Never do these influences occur in a vacuum, sequentially, or neat and tidy with beginning, middle, and end. Rather, they seem to ebb and flow, sparked into action by subtle shifts like the Moon making an aspect. Sometimes the strands become so complex, I take a break from all the information, return to awareness of my body, the earth, my beloveds. Sometimes it seems to me that paying attention itself is the point, and it is not so important that I know or understand all these influences. As the rivers in my area of country crest and exceed their boundaries, I offer the idea that we can also accept the unknowable, let it move us beyond our own boundaries. We are all this and more.

The New Moon in Aries on March 26 finds all planets except Saturn within the space of a square between Pluto and Venus, implying a tight focus, a concentration of energy. Pluto is stationary at this time. A planet’s influence is stronger when it stations (seems to stand still right before changing apparent direction, either retrograde or direct). Pluto has been stationing retrograde every March since 1994. Next year, it will station retrograde in early April. For more than a decade, Pluto has been asserting itself into the transitions of spring. This seems appropriate considering Pluto’s (or Hades’) role in the springtime story of Persephone’s return. When Pluto retrogrades, the earth itself responds. We also respond. The name Pluto means “the giver of wealth which comes out of the earth beneath.” Pluto holds wealth in the shadows, in the things we refuse to or are unable to acknowledge, and then, when it is time, he releases the wealth and we claim the hidden, forbidden treasures. Pluto gives life back to us. Since September 2008 when Pluto last turned direct, this planet has been slowly forcing us to confront the shadows hidden away in Capricorn. Now, he stations and recedes, leaving behind compost for our fields. How will you use this wealth as you plant the seeds of your heart’s desire? Remember, Pluto’s energy feeds life itself. What needs rejuvenation in your life? If you have planets or important points in your chart ranging from 0° to 5 ° of a Cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn), you will feel this station strongly. Pluto is moving through your life.

Last month I wrote about the Venus retrograde journey. She is halfway through that process. The day after the New Moon, Venus in Aries is conjunct the Sun in the heart of the retrograde journey. In this place, joined by the Moon and Mercury, Venus meets a challenging aspect from Pluto. Aries is perceived as being courageous, but the truth of the matter is that Aries is more foolish than brave. An Aries individual “does it afraid.” In other words, they often do not feel courageous as they take a stand or move to the head of the line. They simply recognize the need to act. Have you felt the urge to act even if you haven’t felt courageous? Perhaps this challenge will intensify during the period of Venus square Pluto. Perhaps because you have answered the call of this challenge, you will reap Pluto’s rejuvenation. There are hard edges to Venus in Aries square Pluto. This aspect may not be easy on relationships.

With all this impulsive Aries energy around, it is a good idea to look at Mars this month. Mars rules Aries. He is the actor who best carries out the Aries need to emerge and to do. Mars starts off the lunar month, gentle and intuitive in the sign of Pisces. But he doesn’t stay that way. In the New Moon chart, Mars is unaspected, drifting alone in a fairly unmoored sign – Pisces. It may seem to us that spring is getting a slow start. The best way to use this lull in energy is to recharge the batteries, spend more time in reverie, tune into the heart’s messages. On April 4, when Mars opposes Saturn, we will receive the message that we now need to be serious and get down to business. Saturn will want to pull Mars back into a more realistic orbit. When Mars comes into conjunction with Uranus on April 15, the fireworks will likely start. These two planets provoke action and reaction. Even in the calm sign of Pisces, we will want to do something that feels more authentic, that brings change. Right before Mars enters Aries on April 22, he comes into conjunction with Venus at 29° Pisces. There is something poetic about this conjunction between the ruler of Libra (Venus) and the ruler of Aries (Mars) taking place right after Venus turns direct. Perhaps there is a final lesson for Venus – a way to honor the Aries struggle of individuation, which is often in conflict with the Libran need to be in relationship. When we honor both needs, what is created? What is possible? Mars enters its own sign on April 22 where the impulse pursue what we want is strong. Mars stays in that sign until June 1. If it hadn’t really happened before, after April 22, spring will be in full force.

Along with these strands, there is another story developing that will color our experiences for the next few months. At the Full Moon on April 9, Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune are forming a tight cluster called a stellium. I wrote about these three planets in last month’s New Moon forecast. I have noticed that most of my clients recently have planets or important points in their charts which will be impacted by this transit. Why are these people showing up now? This coincidence affirms that it is a good idea to pay attention to these energies. Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune will be important teachers over the next few months. I associate Obama’s presidency with the optimism of Jupiter in Aquarius. He stands for our communal dreams of a better future. His nodal axis (his karma and destiny) falls within the degrees of this transit (North node at 27°Leo). I think he will hold an important piece of what this transit means to us at this time. If you have any planets or important points in your chart between 24° to 27° of the fixed signs (Aquarius, Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio) this transit will strongly impact you.

Dates important to our stories
March 27 Mercury 3° Aries square Pluto 3° Capricorn
March 27 Sun conjunct Venus 7° Aries
April 3 Venus (retrograde) 3° Aries square Pluto 3° Capricorn
April 4 Pluto stations retrograde
April 4 Mars 16° Pisces opposite Saturn 16° Virgo
April 9 Full Moon
April 15 Mars conjunct Uranus 24° Pisces
April 17 Venus stations direct
April 21 Venus conjunct Mars 29° Pisces
April 22 Mars enters Aries

New Moon, February 24, 2009: The Sacred Search for Self

The Pisces New Moon is a time to surrender form. It is a time to dive deep one last time into the dreamtime of Winter. It is a time to gather inspiration from the unseen worlds. Pisces is the end of the astrological cycle that begins with Aries. When the Sun enters Aries this month on March 20, the Self crystallizes again into form. The goal is to emerge and begin the task of discovering who we are. Pisces asks: What do I make sacred as I surrender this form? Aries asks: Who am I? Who do I want to be? These two enquiries are important this month.

Although the Sun, Moon and Uranus are in Pisces in the New Moon chart, there is still a significant collection of energy in Aquarius at the beginning of the lunation cycle. The North Node (growing edge), Jupiter (expansive belief), Mercury (acquiring and processing information), Mars, (action and will), Chiron (the shaman), and Neptune (transcendence) are strung across the sign of the Water Carrier. Last month I wrote about the Aquarian energy of the Inauguration. Throughout this year Aquarian ideals—freedom, possibility, and revolution; hope in technology; an increase in social networking via the Internet; refining what it means to be human; attending to community needs and the need for community—will remain strong as Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune come closer together this Spring.

The other ongoing subtext to this year, Uranus in Pisces opposite Saturn in Virgo, is emphasized in the New and Full Moon charts this month. [I’ve written about this opposition during these past few months.] Any opposition between outer planets invites us to investigate the middle path. Swinging from one extreme to another, the real work seems to be in the space between. Are you finding yourself in the place of paradox, waiting for resolution, anxious about the tension between issues or choices in your life? How do you work with these forces? The Full Moon on March 10 aligns with the Uranus/Saturn opposition. We will have the opportunity to have these lessons illuminated.

Venus retrograde. A retrograde cycle is a special journey that a planet takes. For Venus, this journey is much like the one the goddess Inanna took to visit her sister Ereshkigal. [You can read a previous article I wrote on the Venus/Inanna associations.] On March 6 Venus stations retrograde at 15° Aries. Every 19 months Venus turns retrograde. Venus’ retrograde cycle forms a distinct pattern in the sky. In 8 years Venus stations 5 times evenly spaced around the zodiac forming a pentacle. The points of the pentacle move very slowly through time.

Currently the points are in Aries, Scorpio, Gemini, Aquarius, and Virgo.

Each Venus journey carries a theme. Each journey forms a point on a pentacle. These are:

Aries: Self
Scorpio: Power
Gemini: Knowledge
Aquarius: Freedom
Virgo: Service

Venus entices us to discover how these important points on the pentacle can flourish through the expression of beauty, balance, and pleasure. Through this pentacle we may explore: How am I my authentic Self when I embrace Venus? How do I claim my Power when I embrace Venus? What do I learn as I embrace Venus? How am I freed by embracing Venus? What wholeness do I serve when I embrace Venus?

One important feature of the Venus retrograde cycle is the length of time Venus will spend in just one sign. When Venus is moving direct, it speeds through an entire sign in less than a month. Due to the retrograde motion, Venus will be in Aries for 4 months (February 2 to June 6). [Venus will dip back into Pisces from April 11 to April 24.] In traditional astrology Venus is in her detriment in the sign of Aries. This means, that Venus is traveling through a sign opposite to one she rules, in this case Libra. Venus in Libra shows us her accommodating face, she desires harmony, relationship, and justice. In Aries, Venus struggles to align the need for partnering with the need for individuation. This Venus in Aries invites us to investigate how to bring balance into our relationships as we acknowledge that we are unique, that we sometimes must act in our own best interests, and that sometimes the journey is solitary. Aries is a fire sign. Venus reveals the beauty held within the flame and the consuming fires of passion.

This journey to reclaim Self is a journey of courage. Inanna was Queen of Heaven, she was mistress of the green fields, keeper of the storehouse, custodian of the divine laws. She did not need to surrender everything for her underworld journey. But she did. What is the courageous journey you take on behalf of your Self? A way to honor Venus is to envelop ourselves in beauty. During this retrograde cycle, how will you honor Venus?

Important dates for the Venus story:
February 1 Venus enters the shadow zone of this retrograde cycle (29° Pisces)
February 2 Venus enters Aries
March 6 Venus stations retrograde (15° Aries)
March 11 Venus (14° Aries) sextile Jupiter (14° Aquarius) Energizing opportunity for beauty.
Next lunar cycle:
March 27 Sun (7° Aries) conjunct Venus (7° Aries) This is the culmination of the retrograde cycle.
March 28 Mercury (6° Aries) conjunct Venus (6° Aries) Thought and beauty combine.
April 3 Venus (3°Aries) square Pluto (3° Capricorn) A confrontation with power.
April 11 through April 24 Venus at 29° Pisces. A time apart to reflect and be inspired.
April 17 Venus stations direct. Begin the return from the underworld.
May 2 Venus (3° Aries) square Pluto (3° Capricorn) Another confrontation with power.
May 20 Venus leaves the shadow zone of the retrograde cycle (15° Aries)
June 6 Venus enters Taurus

Neptune and Chiron. The story of these two planets coming together in Aquarius is beginning to develop. In May Jupiter will join them in a near triple conjunction. This month, Mercury and Mars pay a visit to both. Anyone with natal planets or points from 21 to 25 degrees of any fixed sign (Aquarius, Taurus, Leo or Scorpio) will experience this transit more deeply. Both of these planets [Chiron is actually not a planet. Read an excellent article about Chiron by Richard Dagan here.] are initiators. Both challenge us to be more vulnerable, more open, more in touch with pain and grief. The shamanic initiation of Chiron can be experienced as a dismemberment or dismantling of identity where we are put back together with a part missing, a space left open to the other world. This opening gives us access to wisdom and healing. And it also feels like a wound. The Neptune initiation is much like Odin’s as he hung on the World Tree. Through surrender we attain wisdom and compassion. The transits from Mercury and Mars this month will begin to bring this story into focus. It is time to open and listen to Mystery. Remembering may help us put back the pieces of our lives. Developing compassion toward self and others may help us build a valuable foundation.

Dates important to this story:
March 1 Mercury (19° Aquarius) conjunct Mars (19° Aquarius)
March 3 Mercury (22°Aquarius) conjunct Chiron (22°Aquarius)
March 5 Mercury (24° Aquarius) conjunct Neptune (24° Aquarius)
March 5 Mars (22° Aquarius) conjunct Chiron (22° Aquarius)
March 8 Mars (24° Aquarius) conjunct Neptune (24° Aquarius)

Spring Equinox. In the midst of these transits and energies, the Sun moves into Aries on March 20. Day and night temporarily balance. The chart for the Equinox shows the Moon in Capricorn, Saturn opposing Mercury and Uranus, and Pluto square the Sun. We enter this new season aware of the seriousness of the times. We must manage resources, hold ourselves accountable, and take on added work to create the world we envision. What feeds your resolve? How do you enter into the work invigorated and with joy?

May we find the joy that sustains and may we share what gives us joy.

New Moon January 26, 2009: The Water Bearer Pouring Out Change and Hope

That was no ordinary Inauguration. That was no ordinary public experience. A threshold has been crossed. Inauguration Day was an extraordinary experience of collective desire, longing that was larger than any individual’s (especially President Obama’s), larger than a political party’s ideology, larger than media spin. Something happened. It was an outpouring. The sign of Aquarius, the Water Bearer shows a figure pouring out a flood from the heavens. We felt that flood as the Sun entered Aquarius on Inauguration day.

The planet of collective experience, Neptune, has been in Aquarius since 1998. The planet that rules change, Uranus, has been in Pisces since 2003. The Inauguration was a Neptune in Aquarius experience, and it was a Uranus in Pisces experience. Both of these planets are in mutual reception; that means they are in each other’s home signs. They strengthen each other. Both of these planets have been poised for some time to release this flood of readiness for change and collective hope. The tipping point apparently has arrived. Perhaps Jupiter entering into Aquarius on January 5th was the key. Obama’s natal Jupiter is also in Aquarius and happens to be at the same degree as Jupiter in the Inauguration chart. I don’t believe this means he is The One. But I do think there is strong temptation to believe it. When Jupiter expands too much, it is helpful to reground through Saturn, the ultimate realist. Saturn plays a role in all this as well. That story later.

Aquarius pours it out at the New Moon. The New Moon this month is a Solar Eclipse in Aquarius. The chart shows a cluster of planets in Aquarius: Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter, Sun and Moon. Eclipses are unpredictable in that we don’t know where we we’ll be after the light returns. I am paying attention to a familiar arc of ecstatic experience. First, Neptune unleashes its ocean of god-knowing, then events and choices don’t match up to the expectations of my new consciousness. Disappointment, cynicism and despair follow. What if our new post-Inauguration consciousness included a different way to navigate through disappointment? Disappointment is inevitable. We are chaotic and imperfect humans, thank goodness. But do we have to sink into nasty responses to our disappointment? My own disappointments in life have been bitterer when I surrendered my own responsibility to create and sustain the new visions I longed for. When the light returns from this solar eclipse, where will you be standing? What work will you be engaged in to create the change you hope for?

What I learned from the collective outpouring of hope was that I do play a part in how we move forward. Each of us plays a part. One Aquarian ideal is that it takes organized people and communities to make change happen. One Aquarian paradox is that sometimes one individual has to go against the collective in order to wake those communities up. All of this energy is part of our times. Are you experiencing an eclipse in the same old ways of doing business in your communities? What new ways are opening up?

Another response to collective ecstasy is skepticism and pragmatism—an impulse to stay away from the Kool-Aid. Saturn in Virgo, opposing Uranus in Pisces since the election, and Pluto in Capricorn are worthy allies of this approach. The opposition between Uranus and Saturn becomes exact again this month. What details need to be gone over in your own revolutions? Saturn invites us to take the feeling of unity, dismantle it, analyze it, and perfect it. Virgo reminds Pisces that ideals are grounded in service. Pluto continues to unleash Capricorn’s potential. We now know that financial systems need better oversight. How do we make sure that happens?

The Full Moon is a Lunar Eclipse on February 9. The light goes out of the Leo Moon. Leo, the opposing sign to Aquarius, provides needed balance to all that Aquarius energy. Leo is about the individual’s gifts to the collective. Obama’s Sun is in Leo. The inquiry for Leo is, How do I share my gifts with the collective? Are my gifts valued? What is my worth? Right now, President Obama is an excellent example of how each of us can create excitement, energy, and inspiration by sharing our inner spark.

The chart for the Full Moon shows a close gathering of the Sun, Moon, Chiron, and Neptune. Chiron is an archetype of shamanic initiation. So soon after experiencing collective euphoria, we may now experience collective grief or wounding. Chiron directs us to make our wounds sacred by serving the wholeness of others. Later this summer, Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune come together in a near triple conjunction. The tone of this Full Moon may give us insight into that coming season.

Venus plays a role in the Full Moon chart also. She is standing next to Uranus and opposing Saturn. Notice what is beautiful to you. How does Venus inspire your dreams for the hope that has been unleashed? What challenges you in making those dreams real? Mars standing next to Jupiter says, “Make it happen now!”

Venus retrograde in Aries. Later this month, Venus’ role shifts from the muse for dreams to the muse for action. Venus will station retrograde in Aries in March. This month, Venus enters the shadow zone of the zodiac where she will retrograde back. Venus in Aries will challenge our relationships. This Venus journey will be about staying true to our selves in the service of beauty.

Important dates in our story.
January 26 Solar eclipse (7° Aquarius)
February 1 Mercury stations direct (21° Capricorn) Thoughts, plans and communications move forward.
February 2 Venus enters Aries and the retrograde shadow. Venus stations retrograde on March 6 at 15° Aries.
February 4 Mars enters Aquarius till March 14
February 5 Saturn (20° Virgo) opposite Uranus (20°Pisces)
February 5 Venus (2°Aries) square Pluto (2°Capricorn) Gathering and confronting power.
February 9 Lunar eclipse. Sun (21°Aquarius) opposite Moon (21°Leo)
February 9 Sun (21°Aquarius) conjunct Chiron (21°Aquarius)
February 17 Mars (10°Aquarius) conjunct Jupiter (10°Aquarius)
February 24 Mercury (11°Aquarius) conjunct Jupiter (11° Aquarius)

New Moon December 27, 2008: Endings and Beginnings; Twistings and Turnings

This New Moon calls attention once again to Capricorn, the pragmatic, ambitious, and authoritarian earth sign. There are six celestial bodies in Capricorn at the New Moon. Mars, Pluto, Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Jupiter are strung throughout the sign of the fish-tailed goat. Pluto and Mars are entering Capricorn, and Jupiter is exiting this month. Capricorn took center stage this past year. Astrologers anticipated Pluto’s ingress into Capricorn. We saw foundations and hierarchies teeter from seismic rumbling caused by Pluto. But the bringer of fair winds, the magnanimous Jupiter, also spent the last year in Capricorn. This month Jupiter ends its year-long transit through the sign. This past year, I noticed that Jupiter’s magnetism directed me to become more comfortable with my own Capricorn nature, even though I have no planets in that sign. Professionalism has been an important theme for me; accountability and survival another. After this lunar month, Capricorn energy will continue to be important due to Pluto’s ongoing transit but the themes will recede a bit. Jupiter moves forward into Aquarius on January 5th and we will be invited to embrace all things Aquarius for the next year.

Endings and beginnings. If Capricorn is tethered to tradition and the past, Aquarius moves in the opposite direction toward innovation and the future. Janus, the god of January is shown facing opposite directions. He looks to the past and future. This month, to an even greater extent than usual for the beginning of a new year, we experience the dichotomy of backward and forward perspective. Janus is the god of gates and doorways. What door is opening for you? What door is closing? By nature are you more comfortable with Capricorn’s grounded earthiness or Aquarius’ airy intellectualism? We are making a shift between the two. These questions may provide insight.

Twistings and turnings of note this month are Saturn’s retrograde station on New Year’s Eve and Mercury’s retrograde station on January 11 right after the Full Moon. I expect less frivolity on New Year’s due to Saturn’s station, but this energy does support making resolutions for the new year. Commitments made under Saturn take on more gravity. Keeping our resolutions realistic will create a better sense of accomplishment at the end of next year. Mercury’s retrograde brings all the usual: a chance to rethink or redo, experiences that invite us to use different ways of thinking, communicating, learning or processing information; and the unexpected. Since during this retrograde Mercury moves from Aquarius back to Capricorn and then forward again to Aquarius, Mercury becomes the messenger who bridges the past and the future. This retrograde period will be especially important in the chart for the Inauguration [see below]. The last time Mercury was retrograde at an Inauguration was in 1989. Perhaps that retrograde Mercury contributed to the failure of George H. Bush to attain a second term.
The word “inauguration” derives from “augury:” to divine omens. At the moment the new president is sworn in, which occurs by law on January 20th at noon, we are able to divine what we can expect from this administration. Using divination, how may we help the outcome be for the greatest good? Here are some highlights of the Inauguration chart.

The Inauguration chart always has the same rising sign and the same house cusps since it must always occur at noon on January 20. Taurus always rises in these charts. Venus always rules the chart. In this chart, Venus is conjunct Uranus and opposing Saturn. See previous pieces on the qualities of the Uranus/Saturn opposition. Venus emphasizes that this opposition will be an ongoing and important dynamic in Obama’s administration. Venus invites conciliation. People who do not want to compromise during the next four years, who want either total revolution (Uranus) or complete conformity (Saturn) will be frustrated by Obama’s insistence on balancing between these two. However, I don’t think this means that we give up on making the sweeping changes that we believe in. Rather, we will be reminded over and over that simple polarization between good and bad, right and wrong, will not serve the changes we long for. Venus is in the idealistic sign of Pisces. Perhaps our ideals, empathy, readiness to surrender and sacrifice will guide us and the new president as we meet obstacles during the next four years. Mars in Capricorn is a grounded ally of Venus in this chart. This Mars also trines Saturn in Virgo, another earth sign. Pragmatism is an asset.

In an Inauguration chart the Sun is always at 0° Aquarius Having every administration commence at the very beginning of Aquarius reveals much of our national mythos through Aquarian ideals: “We are the future. Our nation can meet all challenges through innovation, invention and technology. We stand for freedom.” The theme for this year’s inauguration is “Renewing America’s Promise.” Obama has come to stand for our Aquarian ideals. His rising sign is Aquarius and his Jupiter is located at 0° Aquarius. Jupiter is the planet of belief. “Yes, We Can” is a fantastic motto for Jupiter in Aquarius.

The story of this inauguration gets more interesting when we consider that Mercury is retrograde and exactly conjunct to the Sun and Obama’s Jupiter. Mercury can be the Magician, easily manipulating a desired outcome or it can be the Trickster, twisting and turning meaning on its head. This energy is hard to predict. The message of hope may be hard to get out into the world or perhaps the message is everything. Perhaps we need messages of hope even more than we need plans for accomplishing what we hope for. If we just believe, can’t we do anything? The Mercury/Jupiter theme of the Inauguration chart is repeated in Obama’s natal chart. Repeated themes in astrology, or any divination system, are important. In Obama's chart Jupiter is opposite Mercury. This opposition shows how he can often be a brilliant and inspiring speaker, but not always. Sometimes his communication style becomes weighed down and ponderous when he becomes too intellectual and too abstract. Will he be foiled by communication during his presidency or will it be his gift of magic? The Mercury retrograde in the Inauguration chart says communication will be key, it will be a challenge, and it will be unexpected. I suspect that Obama will need to use his powers of Piscean empathy to reach the world and inspire us to be the change that we long for.

One of the most troubling things about the Inauguration chart is a void-of-course Moon. It would be nice if some astrology-savvy staff member (or perhaps Michelle consults astrologers?) would postpone the actual swearing in until the Moon goes into Sagittarius at 12:30 pm when it will no longer be in the void-of-course limbo land. But if we have to work with this late degree Scorpio Moon, the best way may be to use its energy to stop being naïve. Scorpio sees things the way they really are, warts and all. The Moon in these types of charts represents the mood of the people. Obama’s populace may not want to put up with the government operating in the same old way. With a void-of-course Moon, Obama may have a harder time connecting with the people. The Moon is also square to fantasy-producing Neptune. This energy contradicts the clear-eyed skepticism of Scorpio. Perhaps this connection to Neptune shows the portion of the people who believe, perhaps more than they should, that Obama will have all the answers and be the salvation for us all. Put to good use this Moon may help us be realistic while at the same time maintaining idealism. That balancing act is always a good trick.

Right before the Inauguration, The Full Moon chart of January 10 emphasizes Neptune conjunct Chiron (themes of sacrifice and healing) as well as the opposition of Uranus and Saturn. The Sun and Moon, are allies of Uranus and Saturn at this time. Breakthroughs in stalemates may happen in the period leading up to the Full Moon or right after. Have you noticed oppositions to what you believe or desire in the last month or so? Perhaps the opposition comes from a more conservative, Saturn-type person or situation. Or perhaps the opposition comes from a more revolutionary or extreme person or situation. At the Full Moon, seek inspiration or resolution for any oppositions you have encountered. What are you learning? If you have any personal planets or points are within 18° to 22° of Cardinal* or Mutable** signs, then you may feel this Full Moon even more strongly.

Standing at the doorway between the old year and the next what do you see? What calls to you? How will you support that vision into the future? It will be a good thing to remember what we have learned from Capricorn as we move forward into Aquarius.

Dates important to our story:
December 28 Mars conjunct Pluto (1° Capricorn)
December 31 Mercury conjunct Jupiter (28° Capricorn)
December 31 Saturn stations retrograde (21°Virgo)
January 1 Mercury enters Aquarius
January 5 Jupiter enters Aquarius
January 10 Full Moon
January 11 Mercury stations retrograde (7° Aquarius)
January 18 Mercury retrograde conjunct Jupiter (3° Aquarius)
January 19 Sun enters Aquarius
January 20 Sun conjunct Mercury (0° Aquarius)
January 23 Sun conjunct Jupiter (4°Aquarius)

*Cardinal signs are : Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn
**Mutable signs are: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces