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Planet Weather for the Week of March 18, 2007
SkyWatch – Moon phase of the week: 3/18 -- The Moon enters her New cycle at 10:43 PM EDT at 28 degrees of Pisces. Look for her slender crescent a couple of evenings later in the West after sunset, with her "dark" portion very dimly illuminated by earthlight. Skywatching events of the week: 3/18 -- The New Moon also brings with her a partial solar eclipse. This event, occurring well after sunset, won't be visible from any part of the U.S. but will be from much of Asia. 3/20 -- The Sun passes across the Celestial Equator at 8:08 PM EDT, marking its entry into Aries and signaling the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Fall in the Southern. The term "Equinox" used for this event means "equal night." However, because of the bending by refraction of the sun's light through the Earth's atmosphere, day and night are actually of equal duration a few days earlier. 3/21 -- Mercury reaches its greatest western elongation, meaning that it rises the farthest ahead (to the west) of the sun that it ever does, making it visible in the East as a "morning star" just before dawn. Space news of the week: Instruments aboard NASA's Saturn probe Cassini have confirmed earlier evidence for huge methane and/or ethane seas on Saturn's largest moon Titan. One such feature in the high northern latitudes is larger than any of the Great Lakes and is about the same size as several seas on Earth. Just think of all that cheap gasoline -- so near and yet so far! Go out! Look up!
Knowing when VOC Moons occur is a key to planning your astrological 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, or delays. If you want specific outcomes or if timeliness is critical, choose another time if possible. VOC is best for processing, imagining, creating, and open-ended activities, like parties, research, or cleaning your desk 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.
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This week, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are the most active energetically and potentially most productive days (depending on what you’re doing!) The Moon is VOC/Pisces on 3/18/07 – 11:59PM to 1:42AM EDT, the next day 3/19/07, on 3/20/07 VOC/ Aries from 11:33PM to 1:15AM EDT, the next day 3/21/07, and on 3/22/07 VOC/Taurus from 11:12AM to 2:06AM EDT, the next day, 3/23/07 – that’s a very long VOC!
Mercury enters mutable, water Pisces on Sunday, March 18, 2007 @ 5:35AM EDT until 4/10/07. With all the retrograde (Rx) retrieving, return, and readjustment, Mercury is moving towards its final swing back into Pisces (where it initially turned Rx). This is potent, so don’t miss the message. The loop you went through and the truth you may have retrieved when Mercury returned to the previous sign of Aquarius – well, your instinct and intuition can make it all clear now! Pisces is magic, mystical, and ultimately – it is the conversation with your soul and the secrets that reside in your most secret, inner self.
Mercury Rx Shadow Phase: Mercury entered the wider arc of its retrograde cycle on 1/30/07, when it reached 25 Aquarius, which is the degree at which it turned direct on 3/7/07. Mercury passes the shadow point, reaching the degree at which it turned retrograde, 10 Pisces, on 3/28/07. These arcs before and after the technical Rx usually foretell and resolve, in that order, the issue that was revisited, or matters revised during the actual Rx.
Solar Eclipse @ 28 Pisces on Sunday, March 18, 2007 @ 10:43PM EDT. This Solar Eclipse is a partial one technically (the New Moon does not cover the Sun’s disk completely); however, it’s exceptionally potent because the Moon, having just shadowed the Sun, squares (90deg.) Pluto an hour later! Dig deep, recover and uncover the mystery and meaning that makes your life juicy --or not! Both eclipses (lunar and solar) this month deal with sorting, sifting, and filing, and that also means deleting and dissolving material that is no longer relevant. The signs Virgo/Pisces of the two March eclipses are more stress prone – balance your activity and stretch your faith that all is as it should be (until it is different) – trusting relaxes and allows the life force to flow.
Sun/Pisces square (90deg.) Pluto in mutable, fire Sagittarius @ 28deg. on Monday, March 19, 2007 @ 6:13PM EDT. It’s the second day in a row for a strong Pluto square, which always means things come to a head and pop to the surface – it’s volcanic and can be positive or not. It’s very much in your attitude and willingness, and what you have set in motion in the past that is now surfacing and demanding your attention. The shadow knows…there is no place to hide. Respect the underworld where nothing is ever discarded, simply transformed.
Vernal or Spring Equinox. The Sun enters cardinal, fire Aries. The official start of Spring takes place on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 @ 8:08PM EDT. We’ve been awaiting it and now it’s here (again – that amazing cyclic renewal). The Sun is warmer in fiery Aries, closer to the Earth in our Northern Hemisphere and just waiting to awaken the dormant seedling. All hail return and renewal, blossom and shift – spring forth in joy, elation, and hope. Express!
Mars in fixed, air Aquarius opposite (180deg.) Saturn in fixed, fire Leo @ 18deg. on Thursday, March 22, 2007 @ 3:33PM EDT. Mars comes to a STOP sign and typically does not take kindly to this halt in the action, if you know what I mean? Still, you’re best if you can take it in stride and ask what adjustment is required. Instead of rushing ahead, check that the foundation is solid and will support your movement forward. If not, then readjust. This aspect often brings a tough reality check.
Mars/Aquarius sextile (60deg.) Jupiter/Sagittarius @ 19deg. on Friday, March 23, 2007 @ 12:01PM EDT. If you’ve met the test of Saturn and paid your toll, so to speak, then you’ve got a green light to expand your options and take advantage of the opportunities that are sure to seek you out. Exuberance returns and adventure beckons. Take the time to explore new pathways; take a detour and try something new to stimulate your consciousness. The truth may hurt but it’s better to know than to founder and fumble in the darkness. That’s this aspect’s message – disclosure.
NewsBits: Valerie Plame Wilson Testifies before Congressional Committee. She said she felt kicked in the gut when she heard her cover as a CIA operative was blown. A glamorous Aries, Valerie Plame Wilson caused quite a stir and gathered lots of onlookers when she testified before the congressional committee last Friday. She was born with Mars in Leo, which is a very direct position for a woman, embodying the normally more masculine traits of directness, boldness, courage, and strength of will and being fully invested in life. Saturn in Leo is focusing on these Mars/Leo positions and restructuring the direction and goals (Mars) for those born with this birth position. See below. Plame-Wilson has been in the news for some time and particularly once she and her husband filed suit, but this week she spoke up for the first time and told the story of her ordeal. She does make a beautiful spy!
Donald Trump Blasts Bush Administration! – Trump stated on CNN that the war in Iraq is a complete catastrophe and that George W. Bush is the worst President in the history of the US. He also made other comments pertaining to the huge mistake the US made by getting involved in Iraq. It’s interesting to note that many personalities with Mars in Leo (see above) are highlighted at this moment in time. This is due to the fact that Saturn is currently in Leo. Its last trip through Leo was in 1976-77. Curiously enough, three other high-profile personalities and, in fact, ones running for their parties’ nomination for presidential candidate were also born with that fiery and bold Mars in Leo. These three are: Hillary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain! These Mars/Leo individuals pack a lot of power and are ever-ready to perform for you, so enjoy the show!