Planet Weather for the Week of January 4, 2009

 

NewsBits: Outlook for 2009, Part 1. Conflict Resolution? Not only did we begin the year with a mixture of hope and exultation at the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama as the next US President, but also with more than a fair amount of trepidation at the staggering national debt, the unbelievable billions spent in corporate bailouts, the threat of higher unemployment, and continued troubles for Main St. In short, the entry into 2009, was heavy with complex concerns, with Saturn/Virgo making a Station Retrograde @ 21degrees on 12/31/08, and as it turned out with yet another fresh conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. As of this writing, Israeli ground forces have crossed the border into Gaza. We’ve discussed previously the recent 5 planet Capricorn cluster, which set the stage for active problems, and how each of those Capricorn planets, in turn, had to meet or conjunct (conjoin) with Pluto at 1 Capricorn. Whatever was lurking, or whatever wounds or resentments were held, they were ignited or re-ignited by contact with Pluto, who never forgets. The issue then comes into high focus with all the attendant emotional turmoil and often eruptive destruction. People all over the world are protesting and demonstrating, enough is enough regarding Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. The Capricorn energy recognizes problems and is fully capable of dealing with them but wants an end, a resolution.  The current conflict began on the 6-degree Capricorn New Moon of 12/27/08, the same day that Mars entered Capricorn and then conjoined Pluto the next day -- 12/28/08. The chart for Israel (5/14/48 4:32PM EET, Tel Aviv, Israel) shows Venus @ 4 Cancer – the whole Capricorn cluster was applying sequentially to oppose this Venus and Mars ignited the conflict, helped by the thrust of Pluto’s force. It’s time to look at the deeper roots of the problems and find solutions for the fear and anguish on both sides. The current fighting is not helping to resolve anything, rather builds even more resentment.

 

The US Venus is 3 Cancer, almost conjunct that of Israel and part of the reason for the close alliance. However, both countries are facing serious economic and social transformation with Pluto moving to oppose both Venus positions. The US gets the first hit, as Pluto makes a Station Retrograde at exactly 3 degrees Cap on 4/4/09, and due to its retrograde slowing, remains at this degree for the first time (in 248 years) between 3/2 – 5/10/09. Economic issues are likely to ratchet up, come to a head, and possibly along with other major crises. The nature of the problems will be pressingly clear at that time and ready to be resolved, reworked, and transformed. In a nutshell, this particular aspect is the first big thrust to transform the values of the United States, after a year of pre-tremors. By the way, Barack Obama’s Venus is at 1 Capricorn. Evidently, he is the man for this job. May the force be with him!

 

SkyWatch: Moon phase of the week: There were no new Moon phases last week and, as though to make up for the lack, there are two this week, another rare occurrence! 1/4 -- The Moon enters Her First Quarter at 6:58 AM EST, at 14 degrees of Aries. 1/10 -- The Moon enter perfect Fullness at 10:27 PM EST, appropriately in the sign of Her rulership at 21 degrees of Cancer. In Native American traditions and folklore, this is the Wolf Moon, because the cold and hungry animals howled especially vocally at it during this time. Skywatching events of the week: 1/6 -- The Moon passes the Pleiades or Seven Sisters star cluster. (A star cluster is a kind of mini-galaxy orbiting our Milky Way galaxy.) 1/8 -- The Moon, the bright star Aldebaran, and the Pleiades form a wide triangle. All Week -- Venus, Mercury and Jupiter, all in a line, set one after the other, with Jupiter lowest in the sky setting first, then Mercury (nearing its greatest eastern elongation or angular distance behind the Sun), and then, finally, Venus. Space news of the week: Astronomers are starting to ponder what might have happened before the origin of the Universe in the gigantic explosion of creation called "the Big Bang." Astronomers would probably deny it, but Skywatch contends that they are getting mighty close to trading in astrophysics for metaphysics! Go out! Look up!

 

 Knowing when VOC Moons occur is key to planning your successful week!

 

The Void-of-course (VOC) Moon is a kind of limbo. As it reaches the end of a sign, the Moon makes no major aspect to another planet before it enters the next sign. VOC is best for less outcome-oriented activity, since VOC often means detours, distractions, drifting, or delays. If you want specific outcomes, or if timeliness is critical, don’t use a VOC Moon time. VOC is best for processing, imagining, creating, and open-ended activities, like parties, research, or cleaning your desk/closet for instance! It is said that when a new action is initiated during VOC, “nothing will come of it,” or energies go in unplanned directions, which may not necessarily be negative.

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Week of 2/4/09 – Monday, Tuesday, Friday (afternoon) and Saturday are the most active energetically and potentially very productive days – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with others or projects, and/or producing results. On 1/4/09, the Moon is VOC Aries from 9:44PM to 10:46AM EST(next day). – On 1/7/09, the Moon is VOC/Taurus from 1:05AM to 1:12PM EST. – On 1/9/09, the Moon is VOC/Gemini  from 1:40AM to 1:14PM EST.— On1/10/09, the Moon is VOC/Cancer from 11:27PM to 12:41PM EST (next day)!

 

PlanetPatterns:

The following planetary energy patterns flavor the day and are felt or experienced often hours before and after their exact culmination. They remain effective, certainly until the next major planetary pattern comes along to shift the energy gears.

 

Jupiter enters fixed, air Aquarius on 1/5/09 @ 10:42AM EST until 1/17/10. Jupiter, the natural ruler of Sagittarius and the traditional ruler of Pisces, enters abstract and logical Aquarius. Reasoning and unprecedented measures will be part of the game plan for 2009. There will be a number of unexpected events that are likely to involve a large part of the international community. Perhaps a greater united effort to bring some stability to the Middle East is one possible manifestation. Jupiter in Aquarius is long-term thinking and works with a wide perspective to view the whole picture. Various think tanks are possible with this combination. Obama has already gathered many brilliant minds together, and we’ll see what they come up with. In fact, the Obama campaign has recently given a preview of his economic stimulus plan. Jupiter in Aquarius has a dry sense of humor, and we may find comic relief in observing the idiosyncrasies and foibles of our human nature. Have we mentioned creativity and invention? Aquarius is the opposite sign to Leo, and we can expect the artistic expression to boom as well. In particular, Aquarians, Geminis, and Libras will surge forward, and the fire signs, Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius, will also benefit by having their creative projects expanded. Other signs – Jupiter in Aquarius is somewhere in your chart, and that is where opportunities will emerge for you.

 

Sun in cardinal, earth Capricorn sextile (60deg.) Uranus in mutable, water Pisces @ 19deg. on 1/9/09 @ 10:29AM EST. This aspect offers insight and brings truth to a situation that may be challenging or long-standing. There is room for improvement by paying attention to smaller details and nuances, in order to resolve conflict or find a solution. This combination makes things come together more easily.

 

** Mercury turns Retrograde (Rx) in Aquarius @ 7deg. on 1/11/09. 

Mercury entered fixed, air Aquarius on 1/1/09 @ 4:52AM EST until 1/21/09 when it retrogrades back into Capricorn. Mercury re-enters Aquarius on 2/14/09 and leaves the sign on 3/8/09. Some of you may already be feeling the slowing-down process associated with Mercury preparing to retrograde. It will make for delayed starts to projects and plans, or abrupt halts and various glitches and in Aquarius, computers and electronic networking, etc. It’s best not to chafe at the slowing-down but use the cosmos’ natural braking pattern to review what you are doing and improve upon it before Mercury turns direct again. This Merc Rx spans two signs (Aquarius/Capricorn), both of which have Saturn as ruler. (Uranus is the modern but Saturn is the traditional ruler of Aquarius and, of course, rules Capricorn.) Mercury is also said in modern astrology to be “exalted” in Aquarius because Uranus, ruler of Aquarius, is the “higher octave” of Mercury and operates exceptionally well there according to its basic characteristics of lightening speed alertness and cognition.  Saturn-ruled signs have the attendant characteristics of steady, methodical, practical and logical, seeking stability but also seeking truth, and the best and most organized way to resolve dilemmas.