Planet Weather for the Week of January 7, 2007

SkyWatch – Moon phase of the week: 1/11 -- The Moon enters her Last Quarter (aka Third Quarter) phase at 7:45 AM EST, at 20 degrees of Libra. Look for this "backwards D" Moon well up in the southern sky at sunrise. Last Quarter Moons rise around midnight local time and set around noon, being about 90 degrees ahead of the sun in the sky. Skywatching event of the week: 1/07 -- Around midnight (EDT), the Moon passes about a degree North of the bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo, easy to locate with bright yellow Saturn just 5-6 degrees away. As seen from parts of Europe, the Moon actually "occults" (passes in front of) Regulus. Space news of the week: Scientists report definitive evidence of liquid methane lakes on Saturn's moon Titan. Theorists have long speculated that such lakes might exist on this unique body. Last week, radar imagery from the NASA Cassini Saturn probe provided convincing evidence for large bodies of liquid methane currently existing on Titan. This discovery means that Titan is not only the only satellite in the Solar System to sport a substantial atmosphere (actually somewhat thicker than Earth's) but also the only one to harbor substantial bodies of liquid on its surface. Farther-out theorists have even speculated that life in a form radically different from Earth's could conceivably evolve under such conditions. Brrrrrrrrrrr! Go out! Look up!

This week Monday, Thursday and Saturday are the most active and potentially most productive energy days. The longest Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon time, during the day, is Tuesday 1/9/07 – in Virgo, from 7:50AM EST to 1:15PM EST. VOC is best for less outcome-oriented activity, since VOC often means detours, distractions, or delays. If you want specific outcomes, or if timeliness is critical, choose another time. VOC is best for processing, imagining, creating, and open-ended activities, like parties, for instance!

Sun in cardinal, earth Capricorn conjunct (0deg.) Mercury/Capricorn @ 16deg. on Sunday, January 7, 2007 @ 1:05AM EST. Focus, focus, and more focus with this combination of Saturn-ruled Capricorn. Focus your thinking, sharpen your wits, and remember to laugh at your own foibles. Taking yourself too seriously could endanger your health (then again, the reverse it true as well. If we could just find the balance)! Capricorn is always about the bare bones – the essence, the framework. The next few days are perfect for planning and ordering your priorities – or getting your ducks in a row. You may be called upon to make an important decision that will affect your direction for a number of years to come, or, at least issues will seem weightier and more important than usual – the energy comes with pressure.

Mars in mutable, fire Sagittarius trine (120deg.) Saturn in fixed, fire Leo @ 24deg. on Monday, January 8, 2007 @ 1:05PM EST. A little bit more of Saturn here to remind us of the seriousness of issues. Enthusiastic and reckless Mars in Sagittarius gets a bit sober, as Saturn seeks to remind it of possible consequences of its actions. This isn’t meant to dampen your enthusiasm but rather to temper it so that you won’t have any big regrets. Excessive impulsive actions yield long-lasting consequences.

Venus in fixed, air Aquarius sextile (60deg.) Jupiter in mutable, fire Sagittarius @ 10deg. on Friday, January 12, 2007 @ 7:44AM.  Go out and party with your friends, or invite them over for fun and games and sparkling conversation. This aspect celebrates the joys of your associations and those people connections that make life vital. And, these energies encourage “happy feet.” Or the desire to spread your wings and travel to other spaces and places. The journey doesn’t have to be long, but get out there and see the world beyond your immediate neighborhood. This can be done through books or film too!

Mars in mutable, fire Sagittarius conjunct (0deg.) Pluto/Sagittarius @ 27deg. on Saturday, January 13, 2007 @ 5AM EST. Once every two years Mars and Pluto meet, and a huge dose (not to say “surge”) of power is created and released. This meeting of the lords of Scorpio (old and new ruler of the sign), a double whammy, brings heat, passion, and boundless expanding energy (like an explosion). It’s vital where you direct this energy as there is sure to be an indelible effect. The capacity for depth and transformation is immense – and in places where events have moved it so, it can be explosive, deadly and dangerous. Personally – examine the sleeping material of your psyche – what is it that wants to be released and what potential utilized?

NewsBits:  Preview - 2007 Highlights! Part 1. The year began in a hurry with Mars in fiery Sagittarius promoting a sense of enthusiasm, energy, and encouragement to think big and possibly to overdo it (all at the same time) in that unique Sagittarian way! Jupiter in Sagittarius increased the already well-heeled impulsiveness of Mars and continues to encourage expansiveness on all levels (positive or negative) while it remains in this sign for most of the year until 12/19/07. Mars travels through the socially responsible signs of Capricorn (beginning 1/16/07), Aquarius, and Pisces, and then enters its own sign Aries mid-May and into June. The first Mercury retrograde (Rx) of the year, in Pisces, begins 2/13, until 3/7/07. The second Mercury Rx, in Cancer, begins 6/16 until 7/9/07. All eclipses in 2007 are in either Virgo or Pisces. The first eclipse set: 3/3/07 – Lunar Eclipse 13 Virgo, followed by a Solar Eclipse 28 Pisces, on 3/18/06. Eclipses in Virgo/Pisces tend to focus on the environment, work, and health issues/factors, as well as military concerns. One of the previews of this eclipse axis was the raising of the minimum wage last week, with another raise due next January, 2008. March and April could well be problematic months, as there are triggers that refer back to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict of last July/August.

Troop Surge!  By all signs and signals, President Bush will announce a so-called “troop surge,” as part of his “new” Iraq policy. As we look at the chart of the USA and note that it has Mars in Gemini, we can better understand that when Mars is passing through Sagittarius, 180deg. opposite, as it is currently, there would be stimulus to take action, to be more militant or aggressive, assertive, expansive. Call it what you will, more troops will now be in harm’s way. President Bush is also influenced to “hang tough,” as Mars/Sagittarius is square his own Mars/Virgo and opposes his Uranus/Gemini. This combination is usually intent on following its own impulses rather than the advice of others (unless that advice matches its own)! This announcement coming at the approach of the Mats/Pluto conjunction (described above), probably heralds more hostility and carnage and may not bring the desired result but rather greater animosity, resentment, and negative charge through an obsessive use of force and will.