Planet Weather for the Week of March 8-28, 2009

 

SkyWatch: Moon phases for the next three weeks: 3/10 -- The Moon reaches perfect Fullness at 10:38 PM EDT, at 20 degrees of Virgo. This Full Moon is known in various folklore and Native American traditions as the Worm Moon, the Crow Moon, and the Sap Moon. The "Worm Moon" name comes from the fact that, around this time, the previously frozen ground softens enough that earthworms begin to stir and leave "casts" of themselves. Sap begins to rise and crows start to converse -- Spring is spreading Her wings! 3/18 -- The Moon enters her Last (aka Third) Quarter phase at 1:47 PM EDT, at 28 degrees of Sagittarius. 3/26 -- The Moon enters Her New cycle at 12:06 PM EDT, at 6 degrees of Aries.

 

Skywatching events for the rest of March: 3/10 -- The nearly Full Moon makes a close pass by Saturn, with their point of closest approach coming just about sunset and just about the time both are rising together in the East as seen from the U.S. East Coast. 3/22 -- The waning Moon makes a close pass by Jupiter, with their point of closest approach coming after both have set in the Western Hemisphere. Best viewing will be early the following morning, just after moonrise a couple of hours before sunrise. 3/24 -- The waning Moon (now a thin crescent) makes a close pass by Mars, with their point of closest approach coming about an hour after sunrise on the U.S. East Coast. They are best viewed together just after moonrise (about an hour before sunrise). Sky news for the rest of the month: The Kepler Space Telescope was just launched this past week, with a mission to discover earthlike planets orbiting other stars. SkyWatch reported the impending (but somewhat delayed) launch of this satellite last week and this is a follow up. This launch actually marks a major milestone in the U.S. space program, since Kepler is the first space telescope specifically dedicated to searching for terrestrial planets. Over three hundred planets have been detected orbiting stars other than our Sun but these have all been Jupiter-like "gas giants" probably not capable of harboring life. Most of these planets have been discovered by earth-based observatories which, because of Earth's atmosphere, lack the resolution to detect worlds as small as Earth. However, being a space telescope, Kepler overcomes this limitation. Finding even one earthlike planet would be a truly major discovery. 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 3/8/09 – Sunday (moody, challenging), Monday (connecting-productive), Tuesday Full-Moon (sobering-melancholy), Wednesday (social, intense), Thursday, (social-cooperative), Friday (idealistic, romantic) and Saturday (thoughtful, communicative). Sunday and Tuesday 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 3/9/09, the Moon is VOC/Leo from 3:56AM to 11:34AM EDT – On 3/11/09, the Moon is VOC/Virgo from 1:48AM to 2:46PM EDT – On 3/13/09, the Moon is VOC/Libra from 6:39PM to 8:22PM EDT.

 

Week of 3/15/09 – Sunday (analytical, focused), Monday (active, irritated), Tuesday (risk assessment needed), Wednesday (struggles), Thursday (hard-working), Friday (organized connecting), Saturday (clarity). Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 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 3/15/09, the Moon is VOC/Scorpio from 8:43PM to 5:21AM EDT (next day)! – On 3/18/09, the Moon is VOC/Sagittarius from 1:47PM to 5:19PM EDT – On 3/20/09, the Moon is VOC/Capricorn from 4:06PM to 6:06AM EDT (next day).

 

Week of 3/22/09 – Sunday (social, fun), Monday (challenging, stressful), Tuesday (energetic, impatient), Wednesday (need to adapt), Thursday New Moon (alert action), Friday (mixed to positive solution), Saturday (relaxed, humorous). Monday, Thursday and Friday 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 3/23/09, the Moon is VOC/Aquarius from 8:10AM to 5:08PM EDT – On 3/25/09, the Moon is VOC/Pisces from 12:53PM to 1:03AM EDT (next day)! – On 3/27/09, the Moon is VOC/Aries from 10:17PM to 6:09AM EDT (net day)!

 

Planet Patterns & Cosmic Headlines:

 

**Venus/Aries turns Rx on 3/6/09. Venus entered cardinal, fire Aries on 2/2/09. Venus turns Direct @ 29 Pisces on 4/17/09. Venus in Aries and Aries ruled by Mars means that this is a fast Venus and sometimes an impatient one. However, every retrograde means that speed will cause problems. A retrograde is the cosmic way of pausing and evaluating what’s going on. In this case, where are you going with your sense of values, your relationships, your money? What are your goals, and are you congruent with them? Venus in Aries is usually more about instant gratification but in retrograde cycle, it will seem as though what you are pursing is moving away. Also, expect some of what you hoped to reach, to shift and change, or fall away entirely. Instead of mourning what is gone, do as typical Venus in Aries dictates and look forward to what is working and where you can achieve results, even though more slowly during retrograde time. A retrograde affords you the opportunity to make your plans and relationships better and even more effective, since issues tend to surface more readily at this time.

                                                                                           

Mercury enters mutable, water Pisces on 3/8/09 until 3/25/09. This is a subjective Mercury that thinks in images and sensations. It is typically idealistic and can dream what may become reality long before it actually happens. There’s psychic sensitivity in this position and more sensitivity in general, to how one is communicating, what is communicated, and communication responses. It’s a nuanced Mercury position, and details become more important as well as the emotional content of environments and communication in general.

 

Sun/Pisces opposite Saturn/Virgo on 3/8/09 and conjunct Uranus/Pisces on 3/12/09. The Sun triggers the background aspect of Saturn opposite Uranus that we’ve been following closely since US Election Day 11/4/08, when the first of five oppositions between this pair became exact. We can expect some wild gyrations as we once again are reminded that we must adjust to breakdowns and readjustments to new ways of doing business, personal or professional.

 

Mars enters Pisces on 3/14/09 until 4/22/09. Mars in Pisces is a gentle, kind and compassionate aspect. It dislikes confrontation and will maneuver at length to avoid unpleasantness. Something takes the bearer of this energy to an internal life, often acutely aware of the chaos and contradictions of life. The sense of being overwhelmed and having to struggle that these disparities represent can manifest as escapism of some sort or immersion in the world of art and the magic of shifting environments such as acting or music and melody. Mars in Pisces operates indirectly, obliquely, and if necessary, silently and secretly. It can be shy and expects you to guess rather than spelling everything out explicitly. There is a desire to pursue magic and the softer side of life.

 

The Spring Equinox, Sun enters Aries on 3/20/09 @ 7:44AM EDT. Those who live in climates with distinct seasons will welcome this Equinox and the rebirth and renewal of the season that comes with it. Zero degrees Aries is the beginning of the Zodiacal year bringing new energy and activity. Fiery Aries will find ways to move forward by reviewing current goals and adjusting if things are not moving in the direction that is desired. Since Venus is in Aries, more adjustment than usual may be needed.

 

Mercury/Pisces conjunct Uranus/Pisces on 3/22/09. You may be surprised at the inspiration you receive in conversation or through other information media. An intuitive awareness beckons you to greater compassion for the human condition and the plight of your fellow travelers on the road of life. You can expect some abrupt or erratic communication and maybe even some previously secret revelations. With combinations in Pisces things are often not what they seem or are hidden except from those with more subtle awareness.

 

Mercury enters cardinal, fire Aries on 3/25/09 until 4/9/09. This is an impatient but direct way of communicating. It can have an edge of self-centeredness but is the first to come up with new ideas and solutions to move things forward, or to try something new. This spontaneous energy can encourage others to be more bold and adventurous.

 

Mercury/Aries square Pluto/Capricorn on 3/27/09. Mercury in early Aries meets Pluto which can throw off timing even more than is already possible with Venus in its retrograde cycle. This square indicates an obstacle or challenge that must be overcome, primarily in the way we think about something that is important in our daily life of habit and routine.

 

Mercury/Aries conjunct Venus/AriesRx on 3/28/09. Whatever is not working smoothly will now require some active and direct communication. Plans may need altering and schedules rearranged due to shifting needs and values adjustment or disagreement.

 

Sun/Aries square Pluto/Capricorn on 3/23/09. This combination has similar qualities to those described above between Mercury and Pluto. With the Sun and Pluto, there is an awareness that our lives have changed dramatically and are continuing to change. We are struggling with a number of challenges and must find our way, forge new pathways and most importantly adapt to new circumstances. Our resourcefulness is being tested. We must remember there are solutions to our dilemmas.

 

*Currently Active Paradigm-Shift Pattern:  Part 2 of 5 – Saturn in mutable, earth Virgo opposite (180 deg. angle) Uranus in mutable, water Pisces on 2/5/09 @ 20 deg.  – Preview: Part 3 of 5 is exact on 9/15/09 @ 24degrees.