AstroCast: October 8 – 22, 2011

*Times are PDT, unless stated otherwise. Planetary positions are expressed as the degree (rounded to the nearest whole degree) followed by the sign.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Sher Astrology on Twitter to keep up with the daily astrological events

Are you wondering why you feel some of the transits we talk about and not others or why a friend may feel one but you don’t? If the transiting planet affects a planet in your natal chart, that is where the planets were at the time you were born, then you are more likely to feel the transit or may feel it stronger than one that does not affect a planet in your natal chart. Don’t have a chart? Would you like one? Let us know.

On the evening of October 8th, attitudes will shift from forming alliances to deepening them as Venus departs her refined home sign of Libra and enters Pluto’s dominion of intimate Scorpio. Relationships, or the desire for one, may become more intense. Expect to feel and love with your entire being. The life or death energy of penetrating Scorpio will insist that Venus commits to nothing less than total transformation. If we are willing to die a little death – of an entrenched part of our ego, an unhealthy habit or a fixed notion about the way things should be, then we could experience a glorious re-birth into something stronger and more fulfilled. How else can we truly know what love is unless we allow it to move us in a profound way. Compassion will be there to help us through this transition as the slow-moving Moon will take almost 60 hours to get through Pisces. We should also give the time over to reviewing, taking stock and regrouping over these issues during the Moon’s very long, 44 hour void-of-course period that begins at 9:51 am this morning.

During the evening of October 9th, Venus at 1° Scorpio trines Chiron at 1° Pisces opening a gateway to a higher consciousness that may stimulate latent healing talents. We may take a metaphysical approach to treat deep wounds from old relationships or enter into a new significant relationship that could be the catalyst to heal a broken heart and teach the true nature of human love.

Shortly before sunrise on October 10th, the Moon leaves mutable Pisces for cardinal Aries. Try to feel the energy shift, as now there are six planets in cardinal signs and four in fixed, but none in mutable signs. The cardinal energy pushes us to manifest and the fixed gives continuity and strength to whatever is being born. The lack of mutability, however, may mean that change will be difficult. We may be less willing to adapt to new circumstances and experience fear of facing the end of a cycle – that would entail giving up on known factors for something that may be at the moment utterly imperceptible.

On October 11th, the Moon at 18° Aries opposes the Sun at 18° Libra, the Full “Hunter’s” Moon. This aspect, marking the half-way point in the lunar cycle, represents the culmination of that which was started at the New Moon of September 27th, a coming out of sorts of the new thoughts or endeavors that were born a couple of weeks earlier. As noted in the last AstroCast, this particular moon cycle, with its significant aspects to the era-changing Uranus/Pluto square and the superior conjunction of the Sun/Mercury cycle, could mark some kind of important turning point in each of our lives. Now is the time to assess where the seeds of changes are taking root. What is being manifest that is significantly different from what has been before? How are we managing to keep the balance in the face of daily disruptions in our world? The opposition of the Sun to the Moon gives us a mirror to the polarity that exists in our lives on various levels. Dealt with unconsciously it could manifest as a tug-of-war between sides that don’t seem to have a way of integrating. We may feel forced to choose sides, or simply act out in rebellion against one of them. Approaching this point from a higher perspective, we would be more inclined to look for how the bridge between the two could be built. With the Libra/Aries duality, we’re jostling between the archetypes of the emerging collective and the emerging individual. In Libra, says Dane Rudhyar, the Godfather of humanistic astrology, “the creative ego expresses itself as a participant in the greater Whole that is a culture, a style, a common work. Here one contributes a stone or a pillar, a rose window or a fresco to the Cathedral of Humanity. Here, the individual ego and soul are extended into the new dimension: the Oversoul. Here every leaf and branch of the plant of Humanity finds itself integrated in the seed of universal Humanity – ready for some ultimate sacrifice that is dimly envisioned, though not clearly apprehended.” Looking across the great divide is Aries, living the dream of freedom, independence, answering to no one. Says Rudhyar: “Aries is the typical pioneer; the plougher of virgin lands, who moves ceaselessly ‘westward’; the eternal gypsy who ‘reads fortunes’ but can never gather a fortune, for he is always moving on to greener pastures. He may long for rest and stability, yet the nomadic urge is ever revived and he seems never so happy and free as when he leaves a place and faces the unfamiliar.” A good exercise would be to observe which archetype we identify with most. Which side do we take more often than not and where would our lives improve if we adopt the approach of the other side for a change? Then envision how we can acknowledge and assimilate the positive aspects of each in our daily lives.

On October 12th, Mercury at 28° Libra trines Neptune at 28° Aquarius and brings out the poet in all of us. Imaginative expression could lift the mundane to the sublime. Attuning to the thoughts of others may come easily if we are willing to turn off the external noise and simply listen. While it is always advisable to keep our verbal and mental filters clear of negative debris, not doing so now could lead to overly idealized proclamations that avoid the reality of a situation and may make others feel less-than and impel them to retreat from rather than reach for the stars. This is an ideal time to practice intuitive mind melding, with our own interior being or with another, to have a potentially mind-blowing experience. As the Sun sets this day, the Moon moves from cardinal Aries into fixed Taurus. Now the universal playing field is balanced between the cardinal and fixed signs adding more stability to projects, but without the energy of mutability there is the notion that perhaps the end is not yet in sight.

On October 13th, Mercury bids adieu to Libra and joins Venus in Scorpio. The balance is now tipping to the fixed signs giving us strength to sustain the long stretch through our current affairs. Other than the Moon slipping in and out of mutable signs, the first sense of planetary mutability we’ll see will be on November 2 when Venus and Mercury enter Sagittarius. Then we’ll regain a sense of being able to adapt to the environment around us. With perceptive Mercury in Scorpio, the natural home of the spy, we may find ourselves delving into our deep dark secrets to discover what makes us tick. Scorpio loves playing in hidden realms where nothing is taboo. Mercury is happy to take off Libra’s white gloves so he can jump right into Scorpio’s messy, passionate arena where intrigue occupies thoughts and where getting to the bottom of the matter is paramount to harnessing the deepest source of its power. We could emulate the likes of Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who all had Mercury in Scorpio, by tapping into the subconscious of those around us and voice what they are only vaguely thinking. It is the power of profound articulation. A few hours later the willful Sun conjuncts disciplined Saturn at 20° Libra, what Rudhyar calls the sign of Initiation. Feeling the need to consecrate our efforts to the greater whole, we may act with unwavering determination to see that fairness in societal structures prevails and tap our long-term alliances for help in furthering this goal. While the Sun’s creative impulse may feel inhibited by Saturn’s serious nature, both together have the potential for the slow and steady engineering of tomorrow’s promise. Before the day is over, Mercury at 1° Scorpio trines Chiron at 1° Pisces. Close on the heels of Venus’ walk with the Wounded Healer, Mercury may want to talk about whatever feelings may be bubbling up with respect to our relationships. Intuition and occult healing skills may surface and be utilized to further understanding and forgiveness.

On October 14th, loving Venus opposes retrograde Jupiter at 7° Scorpio/Taurus. This is the opposite of the same aspect of June 6, 2006, when Venus at 10° Taurus opposed Jupiter at 10° Scorpio. What has changed since then? Is anything from that time coming back up again? Remembering to take in the big cyclical picture in astrology can help us to become aware of and better understand the rhythms and patterns of our lives. How about May 10, 2011 when Venus was conjunct Jupiter at 24° Aries? That was the “New Moon” phase to this opposition’s “Full Moon” phase. Ready or not, it’s prime time! While we may have an insatiable appetite for love and see any current love interest as bigger than life, this aspect potentially can deepen relationships of any type, activate generosity with regards to resources of all kinds, or remind us that a healthy sense of our own self worth can greatly aid in bringing those relationships into balance. In that Venus is only the first of three personal planets to oppose the philosophical giant this month, followed by Mercury on the 17th and then the Sun on the 28th (to be covered more in depth in the next AstroCast), Jupiter’s ebullience and inherent need to expand beyond our perceived limits will be pervasive for the rest of the month in all forms of expression.

When Mercury opposes retrograde Jupiter at 6° Scorpio/Taurus on October 17th we may be inspired to paint verbal pictures of distant lands we find our minds traveling to. As our mental intrigues go into hyper-drive, Scorpio will take it deep while Taurus will keep it relevant, however sketchy or exaggerated the details may be. We would do well to have our research handy to back up big statements or at least the benefit of experience. If we do, the energy of the fixed signs will imprint that which we express with long-lasting impressions. As with Venus, this is the “Full Moon” phase to the Mercury/Jupiter conjunction, which was the “New Moon” phase that happened on May 11, 2011 at 24° Aries when they were together with Venus. From action oriented Aries to the feeling nature of Scorpio and down-to-earth Taurus, our faithful minds can now turn to deepening and sustaining that which we started at that time.

On October 21st, the creative Sun at 28° Libra trines intuitive Neptune 28° Aquarius. The highest form of art, love, music, poetry and spiritual healing all come from some place other than our minds and this aspect can take us there. It is the perfect antidote to boxed-in thinking and provides a sweet respite, a time to inspire, to attune to the higher vibrations of our soul. This is such a blissful, romantic aspect we may need to put some effort into expressing that which we are feeling. If we could but open the doors of our mind and let all boundaries dissolve we just might touch on the brilliant and transcendent repository of all life’s creative inspiration.  This is the last major event until the Sun joins Mercury and Venus in Scorpio on October 23rd.

AstroCast: September 23 – October 7, 2011

*Times are PDT, unless stated otherwise. Planetary positions are expressed as the degree (rounded to the nearest whole degree) followed by the sign.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Sher Astrology on Twitter to keep up with the daily astrological events

Are you wondering why you feel some of the transits we talk about and not others or why a friend may feel one but you don’t? If the transiting planet affects a planet in your natal chart, that is where the planets were at the time you were born, then you are more likely to feel the transit or may feel it stronger than one that does not affect a planet in your natal chart. Don’t have a chart? Would you like one? Let us know.

 In the darkness of the early morning of September 23rd, the Sun slipped across the equator on its journey southward, marking the Autumnal Equinox and fall in the northern hemisphere, or spring in the southern hemisphere.  This seasonal transition also marks the beginning of Libra, the sign of the scales, and a major shift in focus from the individual to the collective. Libra is intensely interested in human beings and how they get along.   She seeks balance, justice and harmony in all relationships, but sometimes this comes at a high cost – Libra is also notoriously reticent to choose sides.  Standing for something is her challenge and true justice comes when both sides are taken into consideration.  At this time, however, there are no planets in water signs and won’t be until the Moon moves into Scorpio on September 28th.  Water signs keep us in touch with our emotions and without access to that vibration our feelings may run underground and be more difficult to express.  Additionally, the trine between Mars in Leo and Uranus in Aries is now exact.  This aspect’s high-energy kick has been building for more than a week and is generating an action-packed pace that is pushing many us beyond what we thought were our limits.  The “shocking” discovery at CERN, announced on September 23, that particles traveled faster than the speed of light has the Mars/Uranus imprint all over it and is sending earthquakes with far-ranging consequences across the scientific community.  It puts the well-anchored theory of relativity to the extreme test and could lead to a quantum leap into a deeper, perhaps radically different understanding of our universe. Revolutionary fervor is also heightened with this fiery aspect.  The Palestinians are jumping on the Arab Spring bandwagon with their bid to be recognized as a United Nations member state.  The diplomatic community’s annual gathering in New York, by the way, appropriately coincides with the Sun’s entrance into the sign of the Diplomat.  Libra offers us the opportunity to find balance between the radical individualism that is so prevalent today and collective compassion.

On Sunday, September 25th at 12:47 pm, the Moon in Virgo trines (120 degree aspect) Jupiter in Taurus.  Then the Moon goes “void-of-course,” making no major aspects until it enters Libra on September 28th.  This is an unusually long void-of-course period lasting over 33 hours.  The Universe does not rest, however, as less than two hours after that period begins, Mercury leaves his home sign of Virgo and follows the Sun into Venus’ home sign of Libra, moving thought processes from meticulous systems analysis to social-political concerns or artistic principles, anything that involves thinking about the invisible threads that bind us all and how not to break them – Mercury in Libra probably generates the fairest decisions of all.  Three hours later, the Sun at 2° Libra opposes retrograde Uranus at 2° Aries. Sudden, potentially radical changes are the order of this week, especially of a scientific, technological or metaphysical nature.  The timing of the CERN announcement was certainly within orb of this aspect as well.  Collective compassion will be put to the test, as radical individualism will be almost irresistible. Conservative elements of society may challenge any new ideas but this week is so packed with the energy for bind breaking that all varieties of bucking the system will probably be undaunted.

Late on September 26th, as the Moon ends her long void-of-course mode by entering Libra, we find ourselves in another unusual situation.   There are now no planets in mutable signs.  The energy of initiation and creative drive is rampant with seven planets in cardinal signs; the three planets in fixed signs add tenacity. Mental processes and perpetual curiosity are running on high as well as there are six planets in air signs; the two each in fire and earth provide a foundation of stabilized action.  Less than two hours after the Moon joins the Sun, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury in Libra, Mercury at 2° Libra opposes retrograde Uranus at 2° Aries, giving voice to new ideas and insights.  What could happen if we all dance to the beat of a different drum?   Restraint may be in order unless we can rise above the self-indulgence cacaphony that is created when we all do “our thing” and orchestrate our collective beats into a harmonious rhythm.   With five planets in Libra, that may not be too difficult as the emphasis is definitely on relationships – what we want and need from them, what we want to say about them and what we feel about them.  Remember earlier this year when we had five planets in Aries?   Well, now they are in the opposite position on the zodiacal wheel creating a huge energy shift from the focus on self to other.  “In Libra,” says Dane Rudhyar, “the sheer glory of human companionship is of itself a sufficient goal. And that glory, which begins in the “Soul-mate” ideal, ends in the realization of the universal and integral Community of humanity” that is “ready to know the true meaning of creative companionship and of a noble and harmonious, cooperative and free society.”

On September 27th, having passed Mercury, the Moon catches up to the Sun marking the new Moon at 4° Libra and the beginning of another new cycle, one that is marked by the urge to merge on a transcendent level. According to Rudhyar, the Sun in Libra feels the circle of companionship as a sacred reality.  “The awareness of a mysterious “Something” which unites the person and his companions is constant… Thus the transcendent and romantic idea of “Soul-mates” is typical of Libra.   The Two become One, and the essence of that oneness is Reality itself.” The Sun in Libra stresses “the value of the warmth of human relationship.  He plans for it.  He fights intellectually for it.”  With the New Moon in Libra, the Sun’s directive is driven to home sweet home by the influence of the moon.  “The energy of Libra under the Moon’s activation,” says Rudhyar, “produces a love of cultural values, of the arts, of social excellence.   It brings out a peculiar charm and personal sensitiveness, often a brilliant and idealistic mentality.   It is “the power of the anima.” In the striving for the ideal relationship, Libra typically finds it difficult to get down and dirty.  In order to achieve her ultimate balance, Libra must be willing to embrace herself and others, fully, wholeheartedly and with eyes wide open to anything she might find repulsive.   She’ll have to endure mucking in the corridors of her mind and others before she can experience the purified joy of mystical union.  This is an especially powerful New Moon as it is conjunct Mercury and is in the sights of the epochal Uranus/Pluto square creating a cardinal T-square that urges us to take inventive, ethical and sustainable action in whatever arenas of our life aren’t working.  It would be a great exercise to pay attention to how this moon cycle plays out: what seeds are planted at this time and what develops until the next Scorpio New Moon.  By the full Moon on October 11th this cycle’s purpose may be revealed. With all this Libra going on, it is certain the power of love will be a major force.

In the dark of early morning of September 28th, the Sun at 5° Libra squares Pluto at 5° Capricorn.  Five hours later, Mercury does the same.  Six hours later, Mercury catches up to the Sun, passing on the far side away from Earth to mark the “superior conjunction,” a Full Moon equivalent characterized by an active mind that can be a fountain of knowledge.  This culmination of the Mercury/Sun cycle as part of a dynamic configuration with Uranus, the New Moon and Pluto, could bring shocking revelations or profound convictions to decisions made during recent months.   Pluto especially demands authenticity so we may be challenged to face the dark side of our nature in order to tap his deep channel of uncontaminated power.  To get to the core of our issues we’ll need to consciously avoid getting caught up in an overly mental state that can be prone to excessive worrying and game playing.  We must overcome the fear of going to the depths of our soul or we will never touch Pluto’s power, much less be able to put it to good use in the world.  Meanwhile, the Moon cuts its usual 2.5 days in a sign down to less than 48 hours and leaves Libra for Scorpio – an interesting manifestation of the “quickening” the world is experiencing now.

On September 29th Venus catches up to Saturn and they conjunct at 18° Libra.   In mythology, Venus is Saturn’s sister, birthed when Saturn overthrew their Father Sky (Uranus) at the behest of their Mother Earth (Gaia) in order to free her other children imprisoned deep within Earth.  Saturn castrated Uranus, threw his genitals into the sea and out of the resulting foam came Venus.  While filial love isn’t necessarily the only kind of love to be experienced when Saturn and Venus get together, this is definitely the love tester.  Born of the act of taking away of a source of life, Venus/Saturn could represent a lack of or withholding of love or the feeling of not deserving it.  The greatest love prevails through thick and thin but the love does need to be honored from both sides.  This is the opportunity to focus on where our affairs of the heart need nurturing.  In order to have enduring relationships, we must do the right thing by them by showing deep respect for others and ourselves in our words and deeds.

After all this cardinal initiating activity we may finally get a bit of a slow-down while the fixed signs have their say. On Sunday, October 2nd, warrior Mars at 8° of fixed fire Leo squares faithful Jupiter retrograde at 8° of fixed earth Taurus. The crusader in us all may be activated with a noble forcefulness to ensure our precious resources are managed with integrity. We will have the potential to act with solidarity on whatever was recently initiated and will have the wherewithal to sustain it for the long haul.

After that, we should get a “real” break until the next major aspect, October 6th, when Mercury conjuncts Saturn at 19° Libra. Self-discipline is turned to the mind. We will be more inclined to go with thoughts that can stand the test of time. Flights of fancy are out; solid and trustworthy are in. While this aspect in isolation to any other may be predisposed to have a dry, barren perception of life, when included in a holistic perspective that includes the rich abundance the entire astrological universe has to offer, Mercury/Saturn has a unique talent for ferreting out the non-essential and leaving only the economical, the unadorned, the core structures of thought. When we strip away the frivolous we are left with the naked truth.

On October 7th, as Venus trines Neptune we may lift our hearts to the sacred relationship we have with something greater than ourselves, the Divine Romance, or whatever we call it in whatever corner of the world we live in. As always during turbulent times, we call upon that relationship to give us strength and pull us through. But we could aspire to something even more. In the words of Mirra Alfassa, who was affectionately known as “Mother” amongst her followers at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, India: “Instead of falling asleep in an easy quietude and letting things happen according to their own rhythm, if one strains to the utmost one’s will, ardour, aspiration and springs up into the light, then one can hold one’s head higher; one can have, in a higher region of consciousness, enough room to live, to breathe, to grow and develop above the passing cyclone.” During this time we have a great opportunity to package all the imagination, sensitivity and creative talent each of us have into the gift of love.

AstroCast: September 6 – 22, 2011

*Times are PDT, unless stated otherwise.  Planetary positions are expressed as the degree (rounded to the nearest whole degree) followed by the sign.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Sher Astrology on Twitter to keep up with the daily astrological events.

On September 6th Venus at 20º Virgo sets off a host of personal planets, the inner most bodies in our solar system characterizing individual personality, that within a two-week period form a T-square with the North Lunar Node at 20º Sagittarius and the South Lunar Node at 20º Gemini.  The Lunar Nodes represent the spatial relationship where the path of the moon in its monthly cycle intersects the path of the sun in its annual cycle.  In traditional astrology they are referred to as the Dragon’s Head (north) and the Dragon’s Tail (south), and indicate where we are going, our destiny and where we have been, the past with all its lessons.  When Venus activates the Nodes, we may be looking at our recent past and our current goals for the future in terms of who is with us, and who is not – who supports us in our dreams and who may be holding us back.  Serious decisions may be made on the assessments we make at this time that could change the course of our relationships.

On September 8th Mercury at 29º Leo, now in direct mode, returns to face off with Neptune at 29º Aquarius.  As discussed in the Leo AstroCast, during this summer the Sun, Venus and Mercury have all opposed Neptune notably at 29º Leo/Aquarius – the 29th degree of any sign indicates endings and beginnings.  This is Mercury’s third conversation with the planet of Universal Consciousness within a month, the quiet coda to a loud and disturbing period around the globe.  In the last breath of Leo however, Mercury, if he takes pains to listen (not easy for Leo) to what Neptune has to say, he may find an urgency to boldly shout out to the world to stop the madness of separation.  With the spirit of that realization, Mercury emerges into Virgo later in the day to methodically work out the details.  Where in our own backyard can we quiet the fear that division and intolerance brings and reach out to those around us for a big group hug.  Virgo reaches her ultimate state of purity when her service to others, in whatever form, is offered with love.

On September 10th, Mercury at 2º Virgo opposes Chiron at 2º Pisces, following on the heels of the Sun and Venus just a couple of weeks before.  Barbara Hand Clow calls Chiron, with its elliptical path that weaves from inside Saturn’s orbit out almost to that of Uranus, the “transforming bridge between the inner and outer planets” and more specifically “the connection between Saturn form and Uranian electrical integration.”  Chiron in Pisces, she says, is about connecting with the universal oneness.  Therefore, Mercury is pushed to a new level of awareness as it opposes healing-oriented Chiron, paving pathways for concurrent right brain/left brain alchemical thinking that has the potential to drive us to the higher-mind and the Piscean realm of the unknown.

September 12th brings the Full Moon at 2:27 a.m. with the Sun at 19º Virgo and Moon at 19º Pisces.  The Sun in Virgo,” says Dane Rudhyar in The Universal Matrix, “constantly questions the meaning and the level of its activities; which is hardly one thing, and yet no longer another; which largely operates by contrast with that which it is not.”  Virgo’s mercurial nature lives in an “everlasting state of impending crisis,” he says, from being in the pivotal position in the zodiac that transitions from focus on the individual to focus on society.  “In Pisces, the Moon symbolizes all the end phases of gestation and parturition [giving birth],” says Rudhyar.  “It collects the past, the disintegrating elements – but also it reflects the new hope, the ideal, the transcendent.”  The opposition between the two luminaries in Virgo and Pisces thus represents for all of us that moment when all the energy building – and holding – Virgo does as she prepares for the tectonic shift, now focuses on the other end of the spectrum where it all must be let go and dissolved.  She must be willing to sacrifice all that has been before in order for new life to begin in the next cycle.  Letting go may feel like all of Virgo’s hard work goes down the drain, but it is a drain that leads to the sea of compassionate consciousness.  This so-called “Harvest Moon” is also in square to the Lunar Nodes at 20º Sagittarius/Gemini, thus making a Grand Cross that further stresses the archetypes of Virgo/Pisces polarity: whereas the North Node, according to Rudhyar, refers to “the intake of spiritual cosmic energies,” the South Node refers “ to the release of seed materials.”  The culmination of Virgo’s apprenticeship in individual development may be uplifted to the realm of Pisces shared wisdom, thus graduating into the welcoming arms of the collective.

On September 14th Venus enters her second home sign of Libra.  Where as her first home of Taurus relates to that which we value in a tangible sense, in Libra she is all about relationships and artistic expression.  Her heightened sense of the aesthetic here could forsake depth and meaning unless she allows true grace to be her guide.  To Rudhyar, “the usual ‘love’ side of Venus activity has a peculiarly transcendent quality when operating through Libra.  It is not instinctual and procreative love, as in Taurus.  It is a humanized kind of love; love which is meaningful, beautiful, socially or religiously significant.  It is the romantic love of Soul-mates, of companions impatient with bodily consummations.  It is love for a purpose; redeeming, regenerative, sacrificial love.”  Also imprinting this day with potentially bountiful mental energy, Mercury at 10º Virgo trines Jupiter at 10º Taurus, bringing a decidedly practical intelligence to bear on the management of natural resources – our own internal gold mines included!

September 16th brings Pluto’s retrograde motion to a halt as he stations direct at 5º Capricorn.  Allowing for less than a 2º orb (the degree range surrounding an exact aspect wherein it remains dynamic), Pluto is in a T-Square with Uranus and Venus making the transformational planet’s about face highly focused with the power of attraction (or its opposite, repulsion) and innovation (or destruction).  It could also bring up some surprising thoughts or feelings from your depths, perhaps dark ones, about those closest to you or what you think you value most.  With Venus’ exact opposition to Uranus at 3º Libra/Aries happening on September 17th and her exact square to Pluto at 5º Libra/Capricorn on September 18th, the power of attraction could manifest like polarized magnets unable to get together.  Relationships could face flight prone or rebellious behavior.  But if we stick around for a much needed relationship reality check and allow everything to be on the table – nothing taboo – and be completely, perhaps brutally honest, we may find our perception of what love is radically altered.  This could be a game changer for anyone with planets in the early degrees of Cardinal signs.

Also on September 18th, Mars enters Leo, shifting from cardinal water to fixed fire.  Mars is likely to be more dramatically expressive in Leo than in passive Cancer.  We may be inspired to take a spectacular stand for what we believe in.  In the wake of the Pluto/Venus/Uranus T-square, we should call upon dignified Leo’s most noble intentions to create heroic solutions rather than let pride stand in the way of transformation.

On September 19th, Mercury at 18º Virgo caps the series of squares to the Lunar Nodes at 18º Gemini/Sagittarius.  In Virgo, Mercury has a penchant to brilliantly weigh the strengths and weaknesses of past experience in order to determine the path of the future.  The downside of this is being locked in the mind at the expense of spontaneity and an inability to operate with the natural rhythm of the present.  The influence of the Nodes in a tension-filled T-square to the planets that reflect our positions on love (Venus), will (Sun) and perception (Mercury) over the past two weeks may bring us to a cross roads – do we stay with that which we know and learned from our ancestors past, the familiar and comfortable (South Node).  Or do we allow ourselves to emerge from those entrenched positions into a highly uncomfortable zone of constant flux where we acknowledge that we aren’t in control and truly don’t know what is going to happen next, but where our greatest growth and accomplishment will be found (North Node)?  If we can relax into this state and not push our surety of things on others and ourselves, we will have the opportunity to mine the rich core of experience at the moment of living it and thus create a concentrated elixir that will infuse the threads being weaved into the path of evolution.

There are no major aspects until Sun enters Libra on September 23.  Until then!

Kimberly and Jim

AstroCast: August 23 – September 3, 2011

*All times are PDT, unless stated otherwise.  Planetary positions are expressed as the degree (rounded to the nearest whole degree) followed by the sign.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Sher Astrology on Twitter to keep up with the daily astrological events.

*** Disclaimer: The writers of this column are both Virgos!

On August 23rd at 4:21 am, the Sun bids adieu to his home sign of fixed fire Leo and enters mutable earth Virgo.  Prepare for a rich mental life as Virgo, which is ruled by curious Mercury, delves powerfully and deeply into intellectual analysis and, much to the chagrin of many a parent, is constantly asking “Why?”  Dane Rudhyar likens the transition from Leo to Virgo to the ancient Greek Sphinx with the body of a lion and head of the virgin: “The Sphinx is the symbolical expression of the crisis which must come at a certain stage of evolution if the creative, self-projective, dramatic aloneness of the human ego (Leo) is to become the expectant, potentially fruitful aloneness of the human soul (Virgo).”  At that moment, the Leonean ego “begins to realize that the whole universe does not revolve around itself and that it is a participant in some vast wholeness of being whose seeming infinity is awe-inspiring, yet compelling.”  Perhaps that is why Virgo is best known as the sign of Service.  The word itself implies doing something for someone or something other than oneself.  Virgo is not just willing, but expects herself to do for Other in order to feel – and fulfill – her part of the greater whole.  Always expectant, she reverently embraces the energies required for critical mass to resolve into transformation.

In the early morning hours of August 25th, Mars at 14° Cancer squares Saturn 14° Libra.  As discussed in our last AstroCast, this aspect is the dénouement of the combative planet activating last summer’s harsh T-square between Uranus, Pluto and Saturn, filling the empty seat in Cancer to create a Cardinal Grand Cross.  This has been a tension filled summer, on the global stage and most likely in many a personal life.  However, those who acted rashly a couple of weeks ago as Mars squared Uranus and opposed Pluto, are now facing the consequences as Mars squares Saturn.  Daddy is coming to town to restore order.  Think the London riots just for one example.  The bright side of all this tension – yes there is one! – is that when faced with major difficulties the mind is forced, according to Rudhyar, to “dig down into the roots of reality and to fathom deeply unconscious vital processes.”  By becoming more self-aware, we can assume greater positive power in our lives, which will in turn positively affect others we touch.  Mars in Cancer square Saturn in Libra could make us overly protective of what we perceive to be ours and incite us to hand out harsh judgments to those who we perceive to have violated our security.  At its highest potential, however, we will realize that we all share this one Earth together and bring those unconscious vital processes to light so we can make more enlightened choices that consider all.  Many opportunities are being given at this moment for the strong to protect the weak and the haves to help the have-nots.  Saturn is exalted in Libra and could be planting seeds for the leveling of society, what could be called a “Levelution.”

Also starting on August 25th and operating through September 2nd is the activation of a Grand Earth Trine involving Venus and the Sun in Virgo, Pluto in Capricorn and Jupiter in Taurus – a much welcomed counterbalance to all the stressful aspects we’ve been going through!  First off, Venus at 5° Virgo trines Pluto at 5° Capricorn.  Just in the beginning stages of this long transit though Capricorn (2008-2024), Pluto has already shown itself to be focused fundamentally on reorganizing large societal structures such as government and corporations, purging elements and transforming systems that do not serve the whole of society.  The last time Pluto was in Capricorn (1762 to 1777) the Free Masons and other secret societies were launched.  Their subversive activities against oppressive rulers led to the Declaration of Independence and subsequent revolution in the U.S.  Interestingly, many today are writing about what they call the “Plutocracy,” the ürber-wealthy few that have a vast influence over the masses.  True to the nature of Pluto this is happening behind the scenes invisible to the majority of the public.  Perhaps the true nature of the Plutocracy, which is fueled by greed, will come to light during this long phase, or counter groups may form against them.  For this short transit with Venus, there is the possibility that her sense of equality could influence new forms that are being created and offer up more efficient systems that could take root in a “Levelutionary” process.

How do you really spell relief?  Mercury 18° Leo, stations direct on August 26th, at 3:03 pm.  Now we can get back to business as the planet of thinking and communication begins his third pass over the space from 18° Leo to 1° Virgo.  The third and final pass through this space is when things can be resolved or completed.  Mercury in Leo at its best inspires us to be the spokesperson for that which activates our joy and passion.  While receiving impressions may not be the strong suit here, making them certainly is!

During the period August 24-26 both Venus and the Sun at 3° Virgo will oppose Chiron at 3° Pisces.  Chiron is an asteroid known as the Wounded Healer and although he is not considered a major actor in the celestial play of astral bodies it is good to be aware of his subtle yet profound archetype.  Chiron represents the potential we have to turn our greatest wound into our greatest asset.  The very act of consciously honoring where we feel incomplete and allowing that acknowledgement to flow outward in a purposeful way becomes the greatest point of healing.  During this time if old wounds are triggered seize upon the opportunity to turn that pain into gain.  Whatever comes up could be wounds we have suffered or inflicted on others.  In any event, compassion for Self and Other is the key to heal fractured relationships with loved ones.

On August 28th, shortly after sunrise, the Sun at 5° Virgo follows in Venus’ path to trine Pluto at 5° Capricorn.  The Sun here gives more will power to Pluto’s mission of reformation, internal and external.  With Virgo’s attention to detail and the easy flow of energy that a trine gives, we have the potential to be an efficient and effective power broker with the ability to overhaul the particular arena in our personal charts that is activated by this transit.

Just after sunset on August 28th we have Moon conjunct Sun – a New Moon at 5° Virgo, the beginning of a new “seed” period.  Time to clean house!  With both the Sun and Moon in Virgo, we’ll have more discernment of what works and what doesn’t, and that will trigger our highest sense of selection to edit out what holds us back.  Purity of mind, body and spirit is health-conscious Virgo’s all-in-one goal.  Honesty, however, is imperative, as Virgo must first turn her laser sights on Self lest she be blind to her own faults and only focus on those of others.  Since Virgo is the last stage of development of the Self (the domain of the first six Zodiacal signs beginning with Aries) and must prepare for the first stage of the development of the Group, or Society (the function of the last six signs beginning with Libra), she is in a constant state of flux as she sets herself up for the great leap.  Even her ruling planet, Mercury, brings to mind an unstable element that works best in an amalgam, fused with other elements.  Perhaps this constant state of what Rudhyar calls “impending crisis” (for loss of Self) compels Virgos to seek a state of ever-illusive fixedness, which appears to those around her as selfishness or lack of tolerance.  The only way for her to feel her strength is to connect to the earth beneath her feet.  With mutability as her calling, Virgo’s challenge is to keep her eye on the future and operate in this unstable evolutionary environment without getting unhinged.  Only then can she make her mercurial magic.

On August 29th, we reach the next leg of the Grand Earth Trine as Venus at 10° Virgo trines Jupiter at 10° Taurus.  Apprenticeship in the art of relating (Venus in Virgo) turns to the philosophical relationship between humans and earth – and her resources (Jupiter in Taurus).  Venus now brings her feminine energies to bear on this controversial issue, activating “a rich faith in human progress [and] the power of social cooperation.”

In the early morning hours of August 30th, Jupiter takes Mercury’s place as it stations and begins a nearly four month retrograde stint.  Wherever Jupiter is at play in your chart, i.e. what house it is in, remember to pay attention and not overdo or overindulge.  Rudhyar wrote of Jupiter in Taurus (in the middle of WW II): “What is at stake is the nature and the control of the means necessary to achieve… an efficient and functional organization of the resources of the entire surface of the Earth; in other words, who will be the organizer of a new world-culture, and what means will be used?  With Jupiter spending more time in Taurus due to the retrograde, we will be encouraged to review this question at a time when the state of the environment and the control of resources are exponentially more vital than they were during WW II.  The increasing scarcity of clean water and limited supply of energy sources such as oil determine whom we deal with and what constitutes our “national interest.”  Jupiter will station direct on Christmas day, but that is for another AstroCast.

On September 2nd, Sun at 10° Virgo trines retrograde Jupiter 10° Taurus, completing the Grand Earth Trine.  A philosophical attitude open to new insights may prevail during this time.   With retrogrades, we are asked to go within and reflect so it is a great time to tune into the heart of your joy – what it takes to nurture it and make it grow.  With these planets in practical Earth signs, the answer may be simpler than you might imagine.  Also, the so-called easy aspects can be accelerators speeding things up such that they may happen sooner than we expected, so be aware and attune to a reasonable pace.

Except for the Moon in her daily travels, the celestial energies remain relatively quiet until September 8th.  However, there are ongoing influences to keep in mind: Venus and the Sun have been traveling together since the beginning of August and will do so until mid-September.  This offers a sweet counterpoint and avenue of release from the agitation.  Whichever house they appear in each of our charts has the potential to be graced with art and love.  Furthermore, Venus and the Sun’s participation in the Grand Earth Trine with Jupiter in Taurus and Pluto in Capricorn creates a subtle yet profound undercurrent – no bells and whistles, sirens or explosions, but more like the deep still expansive teaming-with-life mother earth, Pachamama, maintaining her absolute composure under the tempestuous heavens above, willing us to relate and get along, to find power in peace.  The set up of this Grand Earth trine started back on July 6 with Jupiter’s first 120° aspect to Pluto and with the giant planet now retrograde it will have its next exact hit to Pluto on October 28.  Throughout this time, they are never more than 5° apart, making this a powerful time to have faith in, expand and expose our natural endowments, the buried treasure within.

AstroCast: August 5 – 22, 2011

*All times are PDT, unless stated otherwise.  Planetary positions are expressed as the degree followed by the sign.  If there is a number following the sign, it refers to the minute position in the degree of that sign.  As with an hour, there are 60 minutes in a degree.  For example, 10° Virgo 43’, means 10 degrees and 43 minutes Virgo.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Jim Sher on Twitter to keep up with the daily events at SherAstrology.

The previous AstroCast ended on August 4^th, and left us with a brief respite from planetary activity.  But things are picking up again.

On August 8th, Retrograde Mercury leaves its home sign of detail-conscious Virgo and gets the opportunity to ham it back up in Leo for another month.  This agile planet of perception and reason then opposes dreamy Neptune at 29° Leo/Aquarius, further deserting the facts on the ground in favor of high-minded ideals or, on the shadow side, the opportunity to deceive.  These two previously opposed each other at 0° Virgo/Pisces on July 28th so we have essentially been in the undertow of this energy since then, and with Mercury now retracing its steps in this neighborhood, we may revisit, rethink or refine recent dreams, and maybe find a way to better articulate them.  When Mercury and Neptune get involved our minds can sometimes become clouded or confused – how can we possibly form defined thoughts when we’re enveloped in the sea of consciousness?  Perhaps if we focus on Unity, the connection we have to everyone and everything, we will find our collective truth.

On August 9th, Mars, the God of War, at 4° of security-conscious Cancer squares Uranus, the God of Revolution at 4° of restless Aries, then on August 10th goes on to oppose Pluto, the God of the Underworld in controlling Capricorn.  Do you remember the T-Square in Cardinal signs of late June 2010 (Saturn in Libra opposite Uranus in Aries with both squaring Pluto in Capricorn)?  Mars making an appearance in this era-changing theatre is what is called a “translation” in that it reactivates the powerful energies of that time by creating a Cardinal Grand Cross with those planets (four squares and two oppositions = challenging times).  Mars completes the translation with its square to Saturn, exact in a couple of weeks (on August 25th – to be covered in the upcoming Virgo AstroCast).  This is part of a larger cycle at work, as the energies of the outer planets play out over the course of a few years with Uranus and Pluto, which have been as close as one degree apart this summer, moving into their first exact square next summer (with six more exact hits to follow through 2015).  As the previous cycles of this planetary pair demonstrated, how we see the world or how the world appears to us will most likely be completely different from what we see today.  Archetypal makeovers usually have a way of creeping up on us as a collective.  Before you know it, the transformers working subtly in the background (Pluto sowing its seeds), suddenly burst forth (Uranus) and manifest new structures (Saturn).  As for this summer, this is Act IV of this summer’s translation play – we’ve already experienced mental Mercury, the willful Sun and relationship-oriented Venus hitting these sensitive points.  Mars’ imprint on this powerful planetary relationship will stimulate the need to act spontaneously without thought of consequences, particularly in dealings that pit self (Aries) against family (Cancer), or both against our larger societal constructs such as governments and corporations (Capricorn).  With Mercury also being retrograde, any thoughtless action is destined to be regretted, or could fail completely, so we all need to take a shared deep breath, many deep breaths, before charging into battle and if we want to avoid chaos, make sure our actions, however necessary, are well planned.  Underscoring the need for restraint today is the Moon going void-of-course at 1:34 pm for a period of more than 31 hours.  See the Leo AstroCast Part I for more on Moon void-of-course.

August 13th brings the full Moon at 20° Aquarius opposite the Sun at 20° Leo.  According to Dane Rudhyar in The Universal Matrix, “In Leo, Man, the creative Thinker is born” whereas “Aquarians are called upon to give civilization a Soul.”  Rudhyar also says the Sun in Leo “cannot easily meet other people as equals… because he is constantly radiating himself outward – and the momentum of that outflow makes it difficult for him to receive anything.”  And in regards to the opposite sign in the Zodiac, Rudhyar equates the Moon in Aquarius as a potential “mother of civilization” that “can be entrusted with the development and sustainment of new social ideas and ideals.”  Thus, this Full Moon sees the creative self, which was celebrated at the New Moon of July 30, challenged by the pull towards the creative society, its polar opposite, in order to manifest the greatest potential of each without canceling the other out.

August 16th is a triple shot day as at 5:08 am Venus reaches her superior conjunction to the Sun at 23° Leo, followed at 4:21 pm by her conjunction to retrograde Mercury at 23° Leo, followed at 6:04 pm by retrograde Mercury in inferior conjunction to the Sun at 23° Leo.  Watch for Jim Sher’s article on this rare confluence of cycle-marking moments.  Briefly, the Mercury/Sun inferior conjunction is the beginning of a new Mercury cycle (like a new Moon).  The Venus/Sun superior conjunction is the culmination or midpoint of the Venus cycle (like a full Moon) that started with the Venus/Sun inferior conjunction on October 28, 2010, at 5° Scorpio.  When Venus and the Sun share the same space in Leo, beauty rules, and we’re not just talking external good looks, which are always at the mercy of individual tastes, but the deep identification with the beauty inherent in all things – in nature, the arts, an act of kindness, a new invention, the seed of an idea.  Relationships, and love, take on greater meaning filled with rich optimism and purpose.  Mercury also touching the King and Queen of the heavens gives bright voice to that purpose with style and elegance.  This is a highly romantic signature encoded with the sweet note that our highest potential can be fulfilled. But as is always possible with Leo, going overboard with noble words that are not backed up with solid deeds can lead to false promises and possibly a fall from grace.

And fall lovers may as on August 21st Venus at 29° Leo opposes Neptune at 29° Aquarius.  The trouble with being a hopeless romantic is that no one can possibly live up to the ideal.  One way to channel that idealistic energy is to put it to good use supporting a cause.  That’s one thing inspiring Neptune is really great at.  We can embrace our Queen archetype (Venus in Leo) and use her magnificent power to do something positive for others (Neptune in Aquarius).  Reaching the 29th degree in any cycle represents the end and the beginning, the alpha and the omega of transformation.  We may feel a sense of urgency to complete Venus’ regal mission in Leo as we prepare for her entry into Virgo, which occurs before the day is over.  So have one last fling at strutting your stuff, because in Virgo, Venus will have a more sensible (i.e. inhibiting!) approach to relationships and a discriminating eye for anything of an artistic nature that will bring out the art critic in all of us.  The challenge here is for Venus to find beauty in the lack of perfection of us mere mortals, the “delight in disorder.”

On August 22nd, before departing Leo, the Sun 29° Leo opposes Neptune 29° Aquarius.  The subtle backdrop to the high theatre of this summer is the steady succession in the last couple of weeks of the personal planets facing off with the gatekeeper of the spiritual plane (significantly all at 29° Leo/Aquarius).  Following Mercury (twice!) and Venus (both discussed above), now the Sun, the center of the self, makes the strongest case of all during this global period of chaos, upset and fear, that we have precious little time to wake up.  Whether we sense it or not, Neptune is quietly at work, recalibrating our brains for the awakening of the next level of consciousness.  Rather than anesthetizing ourselves in our addiction of choice and floating directionless in the ocean of life, we have the choice to align with the power of Unity, to feel that which connects us and activates our compassion, the energy of which will guide us intuitively day to day through the unknown, if but we would only trust.

Happy Transits,

Kimberly & Jim

AstroCast: July 22 – August 4, 2011

*All times are PDT, unless stated otherwise.  Planetary positions are expressed as the degree followed by the sign.  If there is a number following the sign, it refers to the minute position in the degree of that sign.  As with an hour, there are 60 minutes in a degree.  For example, 10° Virgo 43’, means 10 degrees and 43 minutes Virgo.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Jim Sher on Twitter to keep up with the daily events.

On July 22th, the Sun, which represents the core of your being, joins Mercury, the planet of communication and perception, in Leo.  Now the voice you will be hearing is your very own.  Resist falling into the Leo tar pit of pride and allow the lion’s great sense of humor to express what’s in your kingly heart.   The Sun rules Leo so it should be a bit easier to tune into your own will and plug into the perpetual light energy available to you 24/7.  Thankfully there is a respite from the intense planetary action (aspects) we’ve seen since the trio of eclipses earlier this summer.  It’s a great time to bask in the Leo spotlight, feel the warmth and pure creativity of this time and just shine.

When the Sun trines Uranus on July 27th, everybody has the opportunity to be brilliant.  This offers high potential for the free flow of energy between will and intuition.  Inspiration can come from unexpected sources to unlock, unblock and otherwise uncheck forward movement.

On July 28th, things start to heat up again as Venus joins the fun in fiery Leo.  Strut your stuff for with Venus in Leo, passions will flare after the period of domesticity in Cancer.  What is it we really value about ourselves that we want others to notice?  Later on the 28th, Mercury moves into its less flamboyant home sign of Virgo for a few days before going retrograde.  But while there Mercury gives a shout out to retrograde Neptune in Pisces at 0°.  With an opposition, the challenge is to see both sides of the story and elevate awareness to the point of seeing what is best for all.  If Mercury in Virgo is in the service of precise communications and Neptune in Pisces deep dives into boundless mysticism, then together, in the brief window of this Virgo/Pisces polarity, they give one last try at expressing with keen analysis our great need for compassion and interconnectedness.  That is the ideal of course.  The other side brings to mind confusion, lack of clarity, smoke and mirrors.  Let’s hope our world leaders rise above the clouds and hear the higher message.

On July 28th at 4:03 pm PDT, the Moon in Cancer squares Saturn in Libra and then goes void-of-course (VOC) for more than 30 hours until moving into Leo on July 29th at 11:16 pm PDT.  VOC is the moon’s transitional state between signs that begins when it makes its last major aspect (conjunction, sextile, square, trine, opposition) to the Sun or any planet and ends when it enters the next sign.  The moon changes signs approximately every two and a half days and the VOC period can last anywhere between a few minutes to a day or so.  When you think that each sign is a sort of antidote to the immediately preceding sign, it is easy to imagine that the process of transitioning from one sign to the other can be unsettling and possibly chaotic (especially if your sensitivity to the moon’s movements are not balanced by an awareness of how to manage your emotions).   It’s like changing channels on the radio and experiencing the static in between stations.  You don’t get really clear signals.  That is why during the VOC moon it is not the best time to start new projects, initiate new relationships or make important decisions.  Of course we frequently don’t have the luxury of waiting on optimum planetary placements in our complex modern life so if we must do any of these things during the VOC period, we should make an extra effort to stay connected.  On the other hand, great activities to put on the VOC calendar: clean out the closet or otherwise work on organizing/de-cluttering some aspect of our environment, meditate to clear our thoughts and/or imagine our beautiful future, review something already in motion and edit as necessary or think of next steps.  Just as with any astrological cycle, the last phase of the Moon’s relatively brief VOC cycle is about letting go of the immediate past and preparing for the immediate future.

On July 30th, 11:40 am, the attention grabbing Leo New Moon (Moon conjunct Sun at 7°) kicks things up.  The innocence of new beginnings is heightened in Leo with a great show of untainted excitement for a fresh start on any project, but only if we’re willing to let go of inhibition.  The only reason Leo’s Sun won’t shine is because wounded pride sends it heading for cover.  Fear of criticism or rejection corrupts Leo’s expression of pure joy.

Venus trine Uranus on July 31st influences the New Moon signature with an openness to experiment with new relationships and a respect for the uniqueness that each of us brings to the table.  Also, the underlying rumbles of the long term Uranus/Pluto square (little more than a degree from exact at this time) demands that we make conscious choices in this quickening world.  Transformation is on the fast track now so being in the moment and as aware as possible will ensure you are the agent for change, riding with the wave instead of resisting the inevitable, which is a recipe for crisis.

On August 1st, the Sun at 9° Leo squares Jupiter at 9° Taurus.  This is a good time to look at any contradictions we may feel exist in our lives.  Is the creative expression of our light, warmth and vitality (Sun in Leo) at odds with our faith in only that which is practical and material (Jupiter in Taurus)?  Squares challenge us to become aware of inconsistencies so we can change what isn’t working and get our lives back to balance.  This particular transit could reveal an insecurity or some other negative trait that may act as an undertow slowing down our forward motion.  If we are honest with ourselves about what keeps us from our joy we may find the key to self-confidence.

On August 2nd at 8:50 am PDT, Mercury stations retrograde at 1° Virgo 11°.  Not Again!  Didn’t we just do this?  Yes, but Mercury does this dance at least three times every year.   This time, we should think back to how we expressed ourselves while Mercury was in Leo: “Here I am!  Hear me roar!”  We’ll have to re-trace our steps since July 15th when the shadow period began.  What activity related to our contacts with others, communications or internal perceptions may need a re-write?  It isn’t uncommon to experience a complete about face on some subject when Mercury changes direction.  Since we’re talking Mercury in Leo here, with its tendency towards the bombastic, it could be an overplayed hand which is coming back to bite us on the butt.  Think the national debt talks in Washington.  This retrograde is going to seem like a long one as Mercury moves back into Leo and won’t station direct until August 26th at 18° Leo 41°.  That does give us plenty of time to reflect, review and reconsider before redoing.  Mercury retrogrades are good times for tending to unfinished business.  Dust off the old ideas, manuscripts and whatever’s as they should be prime for finishing after Mercury goes direct.

On August 3^rd feel the energy shift as Mars leaves mutable air Gemini and enters cardinal water Cancer in the early morning hours.  Our assertiveness now has the potential to be very subtle – the best way through someone’s wall is to find the loose brick.  Security will be at the forefront of our wants but our way of getting it may frequently be indirect.  We’ll be tempted to side step to avoid direct confrontation (how uncomfortable is that!).  The only thing that can get a Cancer really riled up and ready to get what it wants is to make it about family.   We may not want to ask for ourselves, but if we put our loved ones in the picture that changes the whole game.  Taking this theme to the next level is Mars trine Neptune where the spiritual warrior in all of us may be unleashed in the name of the global village.  The ultra-sensitive nature of this day is underscored by the Moon making an aspect to Chiron and every other planet except Mercury before the clock strikes midnight.

On August 4th, retrograde Neptune returns to Aquarius for the remainder of 2011.  This is our opportunity to revisit the root philosophy of the Age of Aquarius.  We are being called to bring forth into the next phase of human evolution our most innovative ideas to heal Mother Earth and bring her back to balance.  Accenting this moment, Venus at 9° Leo squares Jupiter at 9° Taurus.  This is a Queen (Venus in Leo) who regards Nature in a deeply spiritual way (Jupiter in Taurus).  The square challenges her to seek sensible, far-sighted means to re-establish her feminine place at the table of governance.  Note also that Jupiter’s energy is building as he is gets closer to the Earth and is beginning to slow down in preparation to go retrograde on August 29th.

Happy Transits,

Kimberly & Jim

AstroCast: July 5-22, 2011

*All times are PDT, unless stated otherwise.  Planetary positions are expressed as the degree followed by the sign.  If there is a number following the sign, it refers to the minute position in the degree of that sign.  As with an hour, there are 60 minutes in a degree.  For example, 10° Virgo 43’, means 10 degrees and 43 minutes Virgo.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Jim Sher on Twitter to keep up with the daily events.

When we last wrote, we ended with Mercury 5° Leo squaring Jupiter 5° Taurus on July 5th.  For a refresher on this mind-expanding aspect check out the article on the Sher Astrological Institute website where you can also find a treasure trove of astro-metaphysical bloggings by Jim Sher and other contributing writers.

While many of you may still be feeling the intense wobble effect brought on by the July 1st Solar eclipse, a Mars/Saturn trine in Gemini/Libra on July 6th will bring much needed strength and determination to move forth with what must seem like extraordinary effort as we experience the general intensity around us.  Saturn in Libra will tame the jumpy energy of Mars in Gemini and bring grace to Saturn’s usually cold, disciplined manner.

On July 7th, the Moon hopscotches through the day making aspects (conjunction, sextile, square, trine, inconjunct and opposition) to the Sun and each of the eight planets (yes, Pluto is still a planet) bringing potentially wildly different perspectives to our emotions.  Try paying attention to your mood to see if you can sense the subtle (or not so subtle!) shifts from morning to night.  Venus at 4° Cancer also begins her journey as the king, or should we say, queen-pin in the cardinal grand cross with three outer planets when she squares Uranus 4° Aries.  Surprises could be in store in the area of relationships or what you value in life.  You may suddenly find yourself attracted to someone or something totally out of left field or impulsively buying something uncharacteristic of you.  Or the opposite – walking, perhaps running away from something or someone.  Accentuating this day with deep resonant undertones is a Jupiter/ Pluto trine at 5° Taurus/Capricorn.  The affect of this aspect between the two of the slower moving planets can be felt days before and after.  This is true power.  If you needed that extra edge to move mountains, this is your time.

On July 8th, Venus at 5° Cancer continues the feminization of the titans as she opposes Pluto 5° Capricorn.  What relationships or value systems did you want transformed at the Venus/Pluto conjunction on February 9, 2011 at 6° Capricorn when this latest Venus/Pluto cycle began?  What are we ready to let go of?   With Venus in aspect to Pluto, that which is deep and dark may be brought to the surface for painful exploration.  Have heart, Venus also sextiles Jupiter adding a generous dose of kindness and a lust for life that knows our wounds are necessary for growth and that they’ll be healed when we are able to truly face them with a positive attitude.

On July 9th, shift happens as Uranus 4° Aries, stations and begins to retrace his steps back to 0° Aries, the degree Uranus last touched on March 22, 2011.  As Uranus retrace its steps, we humans on Earth also get a chance to review the recent past with respect to the particular genre of theatre that Uranus represents – shock and awe.   Has anything unusual happened since March 22nd?  Probably.  Will it come up again during this Uranus retrograde?  Probably.  Uranus will continue his apparent backward motion until December 9, 2011, so oddly enough with this impatient planet, don’t be in too much of a hurry as you review so you can thoughtfully make adjustments to your forward trajectory.

As Uranus stations it is within 2 degrees of an exact square to Pluto and remains in that zone throughout the summer.  As discussed in previous articles, this is the epochal signature that could very well define the next stage of our evolution here on earth.  Although the real heat of it won’t begin until the first exact square occurs next summer (with 7 passes altogether through 2015), we are already getting a taste of the major flash points that could ignite unrest throughout the world.  These planets carry a lot of weight in the pantheon of archetypes.  What do you think could happen when the God of the Underworld meets Mr. Revolution?  Whatever it is, it may shake you to the core.  Even if you are watching it from the comfort of your couch on the evening news, it will affect you somehow, someway.  You needn’t have lived through the sixties to know how the Pluto/Uranus conjunction that defined that era changed our society.  It wasn’t always pretty but significant breakthroughs did occur for which we should be very grateful.  Where there is chaos there is also great opportunity.

On July 13th, Venus at 11° Cancer completes her grand cross tango with the muscle planets when she squares Saturn at 11° Libra.  Time to get real with home and relationships.  While Venus/Saturn aspects, make it easy to feel a lack of love or severity in relationships, the challenge is to learn how to love when it isn’t easy.  That’s what makes a stable relationship.  Like a flower, love needs nourishment and room to grow.

On July 14th, the Moon 22° Capricorn opposes Sun 22° Cancer.  Full moons are a great opportunity to rise above the polarities we face in order to see both sides of the equation.  Moon in Capricorn is a survivor and can be coolly efficient, detached.  Sun in Cancer wants to care for, nurture and belong.  On the downside it could be perceived as clinging.  Maturity comes with the ability to synthesize your own point of view with those of others to create a wider vision that has tolerance as its foundation and unity as its core.  Follow Jim on Twitter to keep up to date on daily Lunar happenings.

On July 22nd, Sun enters Leo and we find ourselves in a period of relative planetary quiet.  But then Leo demands our attention with its unbridled joy and creativity.  Other than the Moon in her regular dance, there are no major planetary aspects until July 28th.  Stay tuned for the Leo AstroCast.

Happy Transits,

Kimberly & Jim

AstroCast: June 21 – July 4, 2011

* All times are PDT, unless stated otherwise. Planetary positions are expressed as the degree followed by the sign. If there is a number following the si gn, it refers to the minute position in the degree of that sign. As with an hour, there are 60 minutes in a degree. For example, 10° Virgo 43’, means 10 degrees and 43 minutes Virgo.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Sher Astrology on Twitter to keep up with the daily events.**

On June 21st at 10:16 am PDT the Sun bids adieu to Gemini and enters protective Cancer, marking the Summer Solstice in the Northern hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the Southern, and a Happy Royal Birthday to Prince William!  During this time we may be more emotionally receptive.  Cancer is the ultimate nurturer, giving distinctively feminine nourishment to meet the needs of Other.  A cardinal sign, Cancer also has the peculiar dual energies of initiation and cautiousness, ready to start anything as long as the tribe stays safe and secure.  This day also marks the end of Mercury’s dance with the outer planets as it squares Saturn (a 90° angle at 10° Cancer/Libra) ending the quick succession of first squaring Uranus in Aries and opposing Pluto in Capricorn.  By itself, Mercury square Saturn requires more patience and precision for communications to be effective.  But in the bigger picture, the fastest planet touching within a few days these titans of our solar system, called a “translation,” energizes the longer lasting planetary pattern the outer planets have been forming, called a “T-square” – a challenging alignment of two squares and an opposition (a 180° angle) that if approached with fearlessness, flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking can lead to life-changing experiences, on an individual and global scale.  It seems likely that no one will be immune to the effects of these aspects as after Mercury sets off a Cardinal Grand Cross (basically a T-square times two) with the three slower moving planets, so too will the Sun and Venus follow suit within a few weeks.  Also marking this Solstice is Mars 0° Gemini squaring Neptune 0° Pisces.  Mars in Gemini adds a dose of assertiveness to our communications and is great for initiating ideas.   With the square (a 90° angle) to Neptune, however, those ideas may have trouble getting off the ground unless backed by a spiritual purpose.  Mars’ desire for action can be blocked or difficult to assert due to Neptunian confusion and self-doubt, or the idealistic pacifism.  At its most positive form of expression, Mars/Neptune is the spiritual warrior that can imprint this Cancerian Solstice with the imagination to create a future that will benefit the global tribe.

Before the Cancer Sun moves into its own translation period with the Saturn/Uranus/Pluto configuration, it will trine Neptune on June 22nd.  While there is bound to be renewed stirrings for change and possibly an increasing sense of impatience for that change to come about with the outer planets being highly activated, adding Neptune to the mix will underscore the need to keep love and compassion in the picture.  On June 26th the Sun at 4° Cancer moves on to square Uranus at 4° Aries, which could make radicals of us all, or at least could help us bring originality to the mix, at the risk of bucking the traditionalists or risk averse.  Then on June 27th the Sun at 6° Cancer opposes Pluto at 6° Capricorn.  This is an opportunity to get in touch with our power core.  Purity is essential as we are tested in our ability to harness our deep strength within for the greater good rather than wasting that tremendous energy on superficial power struggles.  Oppositions are like Full Moons and represent the midpoint of a cycle – a time to harvest what was begun at the previous conjunction.  Think back to December 26, 2010 when the Sun was conjunct Pluto at 5° Capricorn to get a sense of where you might be bringing something to fruition.  Now with the Sun, Uranus and Pluto forming the T-square, the tension and need for action will be based more from the core of your being rather than in the way you think as was the emphasis with Mercury.  There will also be the search for an outlet, the point for which astrologically is 0°-10° Libra.  That point is now occupied by Saturn and completes another Cardinal Grand Cross.  When Saturn is involved, real, long-lasting transformation takes time.  Be wary of any proposed quick fixes.  A Mars/Uranus sextile (a 60° angle between 4° Gemini/Aries) may help with innovative breakthroughs to the tough problems we face.

In the wee hours of the morning of July 1st we have the next solar eclipse, the third eclipse since June 1st.  A Solar eclipse is a New Moon with Sun conjunct Moon, this time at 9° Cancer.  While waiting for Jim Sher’s article on this eclipse in the next newsletter, go back and review his article on the June 1st eclipse for a sense of what a solar eclipse is about.  What seeds are planted here?  While the energies of this period we’ve been discussing are still in effect, this Cancer Solar eclipse could be the catalyst for us to give the rallying cry “Carpe diem!”  This is truly the “hottest” day of the summer that may, whether you are ready for it or not, melt away outmoded defense mechanisms.  Again, openness and flexibility will help prepare the way for the remodeling of our collective psyche.  By late evening Mercury shifts its fast thinking energy into fixed fiery Leo.  This may interject some much needed creativity and humor, or perhaps bravado, into whatever internal or external shifts are happening.

On July 2nd the Sun at 10° Cancer squares Saturn at 10° Libra – obstacles, details, discipline, details, duty and more details!  It helps to remain objective and not take things so seriously when Saturn is in your face.  Otherwise over-active defenses could result in isolation and despair.  Slow, steady and light-hearted wins the marathon of life.  On July 3rd Venus,  slowly gaining on the Sun, adds to the desire and appreciation for traditional home life when it enters Cancer.  Familiarity with other in a secure environment allows for greater intimacy and tender loving care to flourish.  But what is it that we truly need to be safe and secure?  How we define security within the context of our current world “order” may need to be recalibrated.  Turn off the external noise and tune into your heart to hear the inner voice telling you where your true center of balance is.  This is what it really means to love your Self.

On July 4th Venus trines Neptune at 0° Cancer/Pisces and Mercury trine Uranus at 4° Leo/Aries adding much needed relief to this day of celebration.  Venus in an easy relationship with Neptune promises the highest ideals of love with all its romance, no matter the type of relationship – lovers or best buds, children, siblings, parents or new acquaintances.  Sensitivity and imagination can be the key ingredients that will enhance our ability to relate to all our fellow Earth travelers.  The energy of Mercury/Uranus offers the ability to objectively intuit our way through any unforeseen unfolding of events.

On July 5th, Mercury at 5° Leo squares Jupiter at 5° Taurus.  What a fantastic time to let your mind travel to distant lands.  Explore the galactic landscape of thought and then find practical ways to express them to the rest of us here on earth, Professor.  Enrich yourself with the wisdom of the ages to avoid unsubstantiated hyperbole.  In other words, gaseous Jupiter could very well blow anything Mercury has to say completely out of proportion!

Happy Transits,

Kimberly & Jim

AstroCast: June 5 – 21, 2011

* All times are PDT, unless stated otherwise.  Planetary positions are expressed as the degree followed by the sign.  If there is a number following the sign, it refers to the minute position in the degree of that sign.  As with an hour, there are 60 minutes in a degree.  For example, 10° Virgo 43’, means 10 degrees and 43 minutes Virgo.

**If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Sher Astrology on Twitter to keep up with the daily events.**

On June 9th, Venus joins the Sun and Mercury in conversational Gemini.   Imagine the exchange they will have – Venus wants to talk about all the great bargains they found and what was accomplished while in Taurus, and Mercury is j ust excited to be out of the confining fixed energy of Taurus and into the mutable space of Gemini where it is able to let the mind wander and speak more freely.  With Mercury now in its home sign, writing and communications of all sorts take center stage.  Just remember, conversations are supposed to involve both speaking and listening.  While journaling is permissible without engaging the brain, speaking is best when the brain is present and tracking both sides of the dialogue first, unless you are just talking to yourself.

Meanwhile, Mercury is all but racing through Gemini, trying to catch up to the Sun.  What message might Mercury have that is so important to pass on to the Sun before the coming full Moon?  With the superior conjunction three days away, ho w many times might you change your mind before the conjunction on June 12th, when things start to really amp up.  The superior conjunction, when Mercury catches up to and passes the Sun on the far side away from Earth, may bring revelations or reversals of position.  What “seeds” that were planted at the inferior conjunction April 9th have grown and are ready for harvest?  With the superior conjunction, we are at the midpoint of the Mercury cycle and whatever it may be we have to say, we don’t want to get it wrong or speak out of turn.  Words spoken in haste can leave a very bad taste in the mouth.  Racing thoughts?  Jot them down.  Even cryptic notes can help us to remember later when we might be better able to make sense of them.  With Mercury moving twice as fast as the Sun, our minds may also be racing with thoughts to be written down o r spoken.  Be careful what you write or say as you may have to “eat your words” later.  If you write down your secrets, guard them well.  Remember the old adage, “Two people can keep a secret, as long as one of them is dead.”

If that’s not enough, Saturn stations direct on June 12th at 10° Libra.  Remember, a planet’s energy is strongest when it changes direction.  Can you feel it?  If you have any points near 10 degrees of a cardinal sign, Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, I bet you will.

The intensity continues as June 15th we have a full Moon total Lunar eclipse with the Sun in Gemini and the Moon in Sagittarius.  Unfortunately it won’t be visible on the west coast, as it occurs just after 1 pm PDT.  Even without seeing it, this can be powerful if you have any points near 23 degrees of the mutable signs, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces.  While full Moons generally represent a time to “harvest” what was planted or started at the new Moon, eclipses amp everything up and can lead to major shifts in awareness within months of either side of the actual event.    With Mercury still within orb of a conjunction to the Sun, this eclipse could bring (or may have already brought) shocking revelations.  To keep an even keel and avoid information overload, it is best to focus on what is at hand and remember to maintain compassion for your fellow travelers rather than holding a judgmental position.

I told you Mercury was flying as the next day, June 16th, Mercury says good-bye to its Gemini home and moves into Cancer for some TLC.  As it also trines Neptune, our conversations may be more forgiving as we shift to issues dealing with family, nurturing or protecting what we have.

On June 18th, Mercury in Cancer squares Uranus in Aries; then on June 19th, opposes Pluto in Capricorn.  This is the first of series of squares to Uranus and oppositions to Pluto as the Sun, Venus and Mars aren’t far behind Mercury setting off a preview of the upcoming epochal Pluto/Uranus square in effect from 2012-2015.  Mercury sets the tone of the conversations as we consider sudden changes vs. more deliberate changes.  Do we react (Uranus) or will we be more deliberate (Pluto)?    Transformational revolution is one of the key phrases of this aspect.  We’re already feeling the rallying cry of those who feel radical change is necessary to eliminate corruption on all levels of existence.  It’s personal and global.  What would it take to get you to the street in protest?  What is not authentic in your life that needs to be overhauled.  To get an idea of the magnitude of change that this aspect can bring, think back to the Uranus/Pluto conjunction of the 60s.  The upcoming waxing square represents a “crisis of action” – to manifest the promises made at the conjunction, one of which was to save Mother Earth from our wanton disregard for her fragile ecosystems.  Where are we with that?

For the last act, before the Sun moves into Cancer marking the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, we have Mars joining the Sun and Venus in Gemini on June 20th.  Our words and thoughts may become more animated and even more active now.  Then on June 21st, the Sun bids adieu to Gemini and enters protective Cancer while at the same time Mercury 10° Cancer squares Saturn 10° Libra requiring more patience and precision for communications to be effective.  Also, Mars 0° Gemini squares Neptune 0° Pisces, a good time to let your imagination play as long as you don’t get carried away with it!

Until next time, Happy Transits!

Kimberly & Jim

AstroCast: May 21-June 4, 2011

All times are PDT, unless stated otherwise.  Planetary positions are expressed as the degree followed by the sign.  If there is a number following the sign, it refers to the minute position in the degree of that sign.  As with an hour, there are 60 minutes in a degree.  For example, 10° Virgo 43’, means 10 degrees and 43 minutes Virgo.

Are you feeling more communicative now that the Sun has moved out of the stable Taurean space of the “strong silent type”?  The energies of the Sun in Gemini add more excitement to the atmosphere making it a bit harder to focus on one thing at a time.  Gemini must have invented multi-tasking, and perhaps talk shows.  Adding to this, the Venus/ Mars/Mercury conjunction in Taurus all making a trine to Pluto in Capricorn is still in effect.  With this powerful combination, there is a window of opportunity to transform intense thoughts and deeds born of desire.  Taurus’ natural inclination to lean towards the sensual – to hold onto that which is tangible – may find a deeper connection to the desire for stillness and peace, to be in harmony with the natural rhythms of nature.  We may be creating new works of art, beautifying our homes, opening ourselves up to deep conversations with loved ones and finding ways to heal rifts.  Or we could be turning this power train inwards to transcend into a new awareness that detangles us from old wounds and thus liberates us to move on.

On Tuesday, May 24^th we have the last quarter square Moon to Sun reminding us it is time to review what was born at the last New Moon.  With Neptune conjunct the Moon and square the Sun, it will be important to be realistic about what actions have been taken and evaluate what their purpose is for.  It is time for adjustment and to look for what can be brought into the next cycle, or left behind.  The Venus/Mars conjunction in Taurus is still in effect as well bringing relationships to the forefront, or the desire for them.  Additionally the Sun is sextile Uranus allowing a sense of detachment to the outcome as well as an appreciation for the uniqueness each of us brings to the table.

On Wednesday, June 1^st, we have the first of three eclipses that will occur within a month.  This one is a New Moon Solar eclipse at 11° Gemini.  According to Dane Rudhyar, “Gemini is the Gate which leads to the temple of human fulfillment.”  Since eclipses themselves offer portals to awareness, this is a good time to see where you stand in relation to that Gate.  Are you at the threshold?  What do you think about when you are at the Gate?  We can use this time to break loose any inertia we are experiencing.  We can make the decision to simply let something happen.  With this New Moon trine Saturn in Libra what could be set in motion will be related to time and structure.  The construct that is our own sense of Self may be expanded to ensure Other is always considered when we act.  Furthering that notion, Neptune turns retrograde less than two days after the eclipse at 0° Pisces, giving energy to the dissolution of structures that don’t serve the whole of humanity.  Neptune stations in a square to Mercury sparking the imagination and depth perception.  Resist the temptation to take a stand for the Dreamers or the Realists.  Fact and fiction can co-exist at a higher level where archetypes integrate all existence with the Divine.  Neptune will be returning to Aquarius for the rest of 2011, giving us an extension of time to keep building on the strength of the collective before returning to Pisces where social movements will need the profound force of a united Global Village to create lasting change.

Also in this cycle is another major energy shift – on Saturday, June 4^th, Jupiter ends the migration of the Sun, Mars, Mercury and Venus out of Aries into Taurus.  While the Sun and Mercury have already moved on to Gemini, Venus and Mars remain in Taurus for a short spell while Jupiter will remain in this fixed earth sign for about a year.  Whereas Jupiter in Aries kick-started the need to act and to formulate grand plans for something new, in Taurus, Jupiter will find endurance and the ability to ground our ideas with practicality.  While it is possible for Jupiter in Taurus to get bogged down in materialistic values, at its most evolved level Jupiter understands the deep need for balance and harmony in all Nature.

Until next time, Happy Transits!

Kimberly & Jim