AstroCast: April 5-19, 2011

All dates and times are PDT. Also, remember, that while the dates of the exact aspects are noted, most of these aspects have a life that can begin before the moment of exactness and last or extend beyond it. In some cases, nothing may happen at all as the point of exactness just sets the “trap/event” and waits for another event, such as a transit to “trigger” the event. For example, the Sun Jupiter conjunction on April 6, may not result in any event or action until Mars reaches that point and “trips the trigger” so to speak. Pay attention. Be prepared. Know your transits. This is why having your natal chart and keeping a personal journal can be very helpful.

On April 6th, the Sun (self) catches up with Jupiter (expansion/reward) at 16° Aries. This can be a time for action. This is not a time to procrastinate. Make up your mind, face your fear, roll the dice, take a chance and get going! A word of caution though, since Mercury is retrograde, there may be a delay in the “reward” or results or they just might not happen as quickly as you might like. Just so you know; Mars transits 16° Aries in the wee hours of the morning of April 23rd.

The energies are continuing to build as Pluto is slowing down and preparing to go retrograde while Mercury is already retrograde and racing back toward the inferior conjunction with the Sun. Guess what! Both happen within a few hours of each other on April 9th. Pluto, because of its long orbit goes over the same territory (issues) at least three times. Perhaps that is why Pluto transits can seem to be so long and at times, painful. This Pluto retrograde will primarily affect points at 4-7 degrees of the cardinal signs, Capricorn, Aries, Cancer and Libra. Pluto rules the underworld; that is, anything that lies deep within such as our core essence or soul. Pluto in Capricorn is the business master and expects no less of us. On a personal level, it is time to own up to who we are, what we stand for and what we expect of ourselves. While rapid progress is not to be expected with Pluto, remember, each journey begins with the first step. These are the cardinal “action” signs and during this time we are being called to action. Time to make a decision and take action. While the process of changing oneself can be slow, habits are hard to break, like the tortoise, slow and steady can win the race.

With the Mercury inferior conjunction to the Sun (this is when Mercury, during its retrograde phase, passes between the Sun and the Earth), a new Mercury cycle begins. What have we been re-doing, re-writing, re-thinking? This is a time to finishing things so one can begin to think about something new. Don’t worry if things aren’t clear as this is the “new Moon” type beginning of a cycle and as such clarity will come later when Mercury stations and begins moving forward again. Review any plans and prepare for action as Mercury will station direct on April 23rd so we don’t have a lot of time.

Don’t you just love those days when everything seems to be happening at once? The thought of getting pulled in different directions, deadlines to meet, miles to go before we sleep….. Think April 11th as we have Mars (action) 7° Aries square Pluto (transformation/intense/underworld) 7° Capricorn at (action time people) and then in the evening retrograde Mercury (communication) will conjunct Jupiter (expansion) at 17° Aries. We have an opportunity to access the energy (Mars) necessary to expand (Jupiter) our consciousness (Mercury) and become aware of what we need to change (Pluto) and how to begin.

OK! All right already. Time out please. I really need to finish my taxes. Good news is, except for the Moon, we do get kind of a break until April 16th. Now it is almost time for the Aries Full Moon on April 17th, but before we get there, the Moon makes an aspect to everyone else beginning with Neptune in the early morning hours of April 16th, followed by aspects to Uranus, Chiron, Pluto, Mars, Saturn, Mercury all on the 16th, followed by aspects to Jupiter and Venus on the 17th and then the full Moon 27° Libra opposing the Sun 27° Aries at 7:44 pm, April 17th. Because of the Moon connecting (aspecting) everyone, this can be an emotional two days, especially for any Lunar or Moon types. This will also be a larger than normal full Moon as it coincides with the Moons closest approach to the Earth for this cycle. It will only be about 1510 kilometers farther from the Earth than the Full Moon of March 19th, and so much closer and larger than normal. Do you do Full Moon rituals? If so, this is another powerful one so take advantage of it.

Are we there yet? Not quite time for Taurus. We have a couple more events to deal with. April 18th, Mars 12° Aries opposes retrograde Saturn 12° Libra. Saturn in Libra wants justice, especially for the “underdog.” While we can expect continued strife in the world, what about oneself? Do you tend to rush to or side with the “underdogs?” Remember, retrogrades are “re” times so this may be a good time to “re”-evaluate our causes. Do they really reflect our beliefs or core values? This is a good time to look a little deeper into the organizations or causes we side with to make sure that they are in alignment with ourselves.

On April 19th we have a meeting of forward moving Mars and retrograde Mercury on the point of the April 3rd New Moon, 13° Aries. Will Mars and Mercury “trigger” something that was “set up” by the New Moon? Check your journal. Watch the news. Perhaps, some seed that was planted will have germinated sufficiently that we can see it more clearly. Mars provides the energy to while Mercury provides the ability to re-think, re-assess the seed. Then again, what did we say, write or think during the time of the new Moon? What words might come back to bite us on the butt? What’s for dinner? Do we need to “eat crow” or “eat our words”?

Oh YIPPEE! Finally, April 20th, Sun moves into Taurus. Well, that’s for next time.

AstroCast: March 21 – April 4, 2011

Sunday, March 20, 4:21 pm PDT, the Sun moves into Aries. It is the Spring equinox. Ah, Spring. When a young man’s thoughts turn to………………….. March Madness! But this article isn’t about Charlie Sheen, it’s about the transits for Aries. Considering the Full Moon on the 19th, it’s probably a good thing that Aries appears to be coming in more like a lamb than a Ram as there isn’t a lot of planetary activity to get us started. First up, Monday, March 21st, 5:24 am PDT the Sun conjuncts Uranus at 0 Aries 32. Do make a note of this date as this is the same degree point at which Uranus will station direct on December 9, 2011 at the end of its next retrograde. What message will the Sun be giving Uranus? What kind of “do over” will Uranus ask of us? Uranus will be stationing retrograde on July 9 at 4 Aries 33. What do you have in your chart between 0 and 5 degrees of a cardinal sign, Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn? While not exact, Uranus will be in orb of a square to Pluto on July 9. Perhaps we will get some hints of what the coming seven Uranus Pluto squares are about.

Next up on Saturday, March 26th we have vivacious Venus catching up to nautical Neptune at 29 Aquarius 44 at 6:39 pm PDT. Normally with Venus and Neptune one might expect them to bring up thoughts of the ideal love, beauty and perhaps a soul mate; however, in the not so touchy-feely Aquarius, we may find ourselves drawn more to thoughts of how humanity should be and perhaps what our roles in making it so might be. Or, we might not see the reality as it is hidden by the fog of Neptune or perhaps, the “winds” of Saturn in Libra making a challenging 135 degree aspect to the pair, will blow the fog away allowing us to see some less than lovely truths. Venus will be entering Pisces at 11:53 pm on the 26th, so maybe there will be a saving grace there. Will Neptune clear the mist allowing us to see the “truth” or will in bring in the fog to hide it? In any case, as always, proceed with caution until you know how this plays out. This can also be a good time to pay attention to your dreams, insights, intuition or other messages you may receive.

Planetary activity starts to pick up now as we have Sun square Pluto and Jupiter oppose retrograde Saturn on Monday, March 28th. Will justice and right (Saturn in Libra) prevail or will we see an expansion (Jupiter) of strife and struggle. What is the Lord of the Underworld, Pluto, asking of us (Sun) at this time? What task is set for us? This is the same type of square that Uranus and Pluto will be making seven times from 2012 to 2015. Might this aspect also give us some insight or a hint of what might be to come?

Oh, and by the way, Mercury has been moving through its “shadow since March 16th and now, March 30th, he stations retrograde at 24 Aries 21 at 1:48 pm PDT. Think back, what have you said, signed or done since the 16th? What might be coming back to you for a re-think, re-write, or re-do?

Have you ever noticed how some things that happen on April 1st, even though they aren’t intended to be April Fool jokes, turn out to be just that? This year is no exception. In fact, we have something very special in store for April Fool Day, 2011. Mars returns home! Yes, after an absence of almost 2 years, Mars returns to Aries, April 1st at 9:51 pm PDT. And guess what, it is the only planetary or lunar event of the day. The Moon makes no aspects to other planets. The Moon is void-of-course all day, racing to catch Mars but coming up short. None of the other planets make aspects to other planets or change signs. It is Mars day to shine! I guess there is only one thing left to say about that, welcome home Mars, welcome home! What does Mars have in store for us? For the world?

Up next, April 3rd, New Moon…….. Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!!! We have, SIX, count them, SIX planets in Aries. We have Mars and Uranus at 1 Aries, Sun Moon at 13 Aries, Jupiter at 15 Aries and retrograde Mercury at 23 Aries. For a Los Angeles chart, they are all in the 12th house of secrets, secret enemies, institutions and things that go bump in the night. Things that we avoid. Things that we hide from others and from ourselves. At least it is a Sunday. New Moon’s represent new beginnings, the planting of seeds of what we might not know until the following Full Moon. Careful what you plant. With all that Aries energy, it just might get away from you like Jack and the magic beans that grew into a giant beanstalk. The actual aspects are, New Moon, 13 Aries 30 at 7:32 am, Mars conjunct Uranus, 1 Aries , 1:52 pm and Sun opposing Saturn, 13 Aries , 4:58 pm.

The New Moon is followed on Monday, April 4th, by an historic event never before experienced in the lifetime of any person now living on this planet. Neptune returns home to Pisces, 6:36 am. Say what? That’ right. The last time Neptune made it’s grand entrance into Pisces was April 13, 1861, just hours after the outbreak of the Civil War. And like that momentous event on the eve of the Great Civil War, Neptune only takes a short “scouting” trip into his home turf of Pisces, before retreating into Aquarius in the wee hours of October 1, 1861. This year will prove to be no different, at least time wise. Entering Pisces April 4th, Neptune makes only a short advance to 0 Pisces 55, before returning to Aquarius on August 6, 2011, just over four months later. What is it about this sojourn into Pisces that Neptune doesn’t like such that he retreats to Aquarius? Too much strife in a world of plenty where so many lack the basic necessities and starve to death as millions of others gorge themselves and find their “reality” on TV? Perhaps there is a need for some reassurance that humanity is in fact, basically good. Only time and the next 14 years (Neptune ventures into Aries, March 30, 2025) will tell.

Transits for Sagittarius 2010

The Sun enters Sagittarius November 22, 2010 at 2:15 am PST.  Shortly after that, also on the 22nd, Mercury, which is already in Sagittarius, enters its’ shadow’, that is it moves into the area of its upcoming retrograde.  The “shadow” refers to that space where a particular planet appears to go back over during its retrograde.  Some things which come up between now and December 10, 2010, may come up again.  Pay close attention to details such as any contracts you might sign or purchases or repairs of things electronic.  On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, we may have difficulty expressing what we are thankful for as communication and gratitude may be at odds.  Or we may just have difficulty finding something to be thankful for.  It is always best to think before speaking since we may have to “eat” our words later.  There may be an urge to be spontaneous, but we do need to remember, engage brain first, then speak if appropriate as we may say something that is meant to be a compliment or a joke, only to have it taken the wrong way.  On a more positive note, this is also a time ripe for sudden insights or new ideas as “light bulbs” go on.  Write them down, but it may be best to wait to express them as there may be questions we haven’t considered which may come up again when Mercury goes retrograde.  This is probably an appropriate time to exercise a bit more caution in our actions as minor accidents or little things may also get blown out of proportion.

Sunday, December 5, there is a New Moon. The period of 2-3 days before the New Moon symbolizes a time for cleaning out or letting go of things that we don’t need and which no longer serve us.  This can also be a good time to “dust-off” that old idea or unfinished project and finish it.  The beginning of the New Moon period itself marks the emergence of a new cycle that can bring on new transformative or intense ideas, thought processes, etc., and which enable us to “see” what needs to be done to successfully complete them.  We don’t want get too attached to all of our new ideas as some may require some modifications or adjustments over the next 3-4 weeks.  For the Mercury watchers in the readership, on Friday December 10, the ‘winged messenger’ will appear to stop at 5° of Capricorn and then begin retracing his steps to pick up bits and pieces that may have gotten left behind.  (Mercury will return to its direct motion on December 30, 2010 at 19° of Sagittarius.) Oh s%*t!  Not again?  Yup, again.  Mercury will be retrograde for the remainder of the Sun’s tenure in Sagittarius.  Don’t be surprised if the energy level seems to amp up through the weekend into the following week.  This is another “prime time” to mind our “p’s and q’s” and be careful of what we say and do, so our intentions and meanings not be misinterpreted.  Can you say “Yee-Haw?”  I knew you could.  Remember, retrogrades are a good time for finishing things we’ve started before.  This can be a good time for gaining insight into old ideas and transforming them into action and for realizing which ideas/projects won’t work or really aren’t worth our time.  If it’s been done before, why try to re-invent the wheel?

On Sunday, December 19, we have the inferior conjunction of retrograde Mercury and the Sun.  This is when Mercury passes between the Sun and the Earth and when it is closest to us.  Like a new Moon, this can be a good time for new ideas and for finding new ways to do things.  We are almost done with Sun in Sagittarius, but as is often said, the best has been saved for last.  December 21, at 12:13am PST, just before the Winter Solstice, we have a Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse, which weather permitting, should be visible in many parts of the world.  If you’ve never seen a Lunar Eclipse, check for local viewing as it is worth getting up early for or staying up late to see.  Full Moons are the time for reaping the rewards of the seeds planted at the New Moon.  They are also the time for reflecting on what “seeds” failed to sprout.  What ideas didn’t pan out.  What didn’t we do that we planned on doing?  Coming as the Sun is in the last degree of Sagittarius; in the Northern hemisphere, we are being asked, “are we ready for the winter?”  In ancient times, this is when the people would busy themselves making repairs to their tools and planning for the new hunt or planting that will come with Spring.  For those in the Southern Hemisphere, this marks the end of spring and the planting season.  The beginning of Summer as we tend our crops so they may grow and we will have plenty for the coming winter.

For those in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun will be at its maximum height in the sky.  It will seem as if it is “stuck” at that level for about three days and then, slowly it will begin to get lower and lower in the sky in the Southern hemisphere as it slowly climbs in the Northern hemisphere sky, marking the return of the “Sun/Son”.  This Full Moon Lunar eclipse also sets up the Capricorn New Moon Solar eclipse which we will take a look at next month.  Eclipses always occur in pairs, a Lunar and a Solar or a Solar and then a Lunar.  Sometimes though, they come in threes.