Planet Weather for the Week of January 18, 2009

 

NewsBits: More on the Inauguration Chart of the 44^th President of the United States! Last week we discussed the most perplexing part of the Inauguration chart – the Moon void-of-course at 29 Scorpio, if the swearing-in takes place before 12:30PM EST. This week we’ll discuss the cluster of planets and points in Aquarius, placed at the top of the chart. The top of any birthchart represent noon – the brightest part of the day, when the Sun is overhead, and so around that time, the Sun is always located there. Here’s the line-up: Mercury retrograde 0, Sun 0, Jupiter 3, North Node 9 and Neptune 23 – all in the fixed, air sign Aquarius. The Sun in this chart represents the leader, the President, and it is embraced on one side by Mercury and the other by Jupiter – both planets that represent the mind, intelligence, communication, a high degree of awareness and alertness. The pattern so far, leads me to foresee a Presidency that is in consistent and frequent communication with the people. (On the first full day of his Presidency, Obama plans to open the White House to the public, something that never happened during the previous administration when visitors had to make reservations months in advance and could only do so as part of an official group of some kind.) This cluster is also indicative of creative thinking and a wide-ranging philosophical discussion of innovative ideas (note his eclectic team). Neptune, although also in Aquarius, is farther along in the cluster and is more intricately attached to an inconjunct (150deg. angle) with Saturn 21 retrograde, in mutable, earth Virgo. This pattern shows the strain on the system and the breakdown of jobs and unemployment. Add to that, Uranus 19 in mutable, water Pisces, opposite (180 deg. angle) Saturn completing that 3 planet pattern, and we have the sudden, shattering, disruptive dissolution of structures we previously counted on for support in our capitalist society. And, of course, this is the broken system that our newest President with the creative talent of the Aquarian team and group effort, must begin to repair.

 

SkyWatch: Moon phase of the week: There is no change in major Moon phase this week! The Moon entered Her Last (aka Third) Quarter phase on 1/17, and will not enter Her next New cycle until 1/26, when She will eclipse the Sun on Chinese New Year's day (ushering in the Year of the Ox). This is pretty amazing because this is the second month in a row when we have gone an entire week without a change of Moon phase, usually a rare occurrence. Skywatching event of the week: 1/21 -- The Moon makes an especially close pass by the Pleiades or Seven Sisters star cluster. Their point of closest approach comes after sunrise for watchers on the US East Coast and all points westward. But in parts of South America and the South Atlantic, observers can actually see the Moon pass directly in front of the star cluster, an event called an occultation. (A star cluster is a kind of mini-galaxy orbiting our main, Milky Way galaxy.) Space news of the week: Methane on Mars sparks a new search for life there. Scientists have known for some time that Mars is actively producing fresh methane. The only two possible sources of this methane are volcanoes and life. And since Mars does not seem to be volcanically active, NASA (and other) scientists have, in effect, been scratching their heads and saying, "Hmmmmmmmm...." In response to this head-scratching, the next Mars rover, scheduled to be launched in another year or so, may be retargeted and reprogrammed to search for life on Mars. 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 1/18/09 – Sunday, Monday, Thursday 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 1/17/09, the Moon is VOC/Libra from 9:46PM to 1:20AM EST on 1/18/09. – On 1/19/09, the Moon is VOC/ Scorpio from 10:37PM to 12:30PM EST (next day). – On 1/22/09, the Moon is VOC/Sagittarius from 11:24AM to 1:18AM EST (next day).

 

PlanetPatterns & CosmicHeadlines:

 

1. Currently Active:  -- Mercury Retrograde (Rx) in fixed, air sign, Aquarius –

Mercury turned Rx on 1/11/09. Mercury turns Stationary Direct on 2/1/09. What a way to start the year – Mercury is brimming with ideas in this sign and breaks all the rules to arrive at the most original, inventive, and innovative ideas and plans. Do not let the state of the economy slow down your creative impulses. Creativity is sharpened when times are tough. There’s great satisfaction in finding solutions and applying ideas that meet the needs of the current and near future times. Use your analytical and intuitive skills to know where things are leading and what is required. Banish fear-based thinking.

 

2. The Sun enters Aquarius on 1/19/09 until 2/18/09. Sun/Aquarius conjuncts Jupiter/Aquarius on 1/24/09. Innovation, and a breath of sharp, cold air to clear your mind of the cobwebs of habitual routine, that’s the message of Aquarius. Refuse boredom and stretch outward into the world of connections with others, ideas, and new ways of making life fun and exciting. How can you revitalize your daily routine? Shake things up and find unique ways to move through your life. Get out of your rut.

 

3. Mercury retrogrades back into cardinal, earth Capricorn on 1/21 until 2/14/09. As part of the current Mercury Rx cycle, we must review what has happened economically and in our resultant thinking over the past two months. What have we learned so far and what must we do to meet the current condition? Organize yourself by securing your foundation and your stability, in the best way you can, after evaluating the existing patterns in your life.

 

4. Mercury/Aquarius/Capricorn and Venus/Pisces make many contacts with other planets this week. People are talking, speculating, gearing up, making connections, forming partnerships, and in general, schmoozing up a storm. Ideas are flowing and creativity is unleashed. Make the most of this heightened time to think big picture and plan for your future. Necessity is the mother of invention – so dig deep into your well of inspiration and gather the resources to make new inroads. These times require a precise assessment of your capabilities so that you can reach the highest level of mastery with your skill-set. Identify your CORE talent and purpose and then build from that core.

 

5. Active Paradigm-Shift Pattern:  Saturn in mutable, earth Virgo opposite (180 deg. angle) Uranus in mutable, water Pisces. The first (of five) of these oppositions took place on US Election Day, 11/4/08. The next exact Saturn/Uranus opposition is due on 2/5/09 @ 20 deg.  This is a deconstruction and simultaneous reconstruction pattern. It means some hard work and tough decisions but so what? Challenge brings out the best in us. Take stock, troubleshoot your own life and its major components, face the music and keep dancing. Necessity is the mother of invention!