Planet Weather for the Week of April 8, 2007

                                                                                                                                  

SkyWatch – Moon phase of the week: 4/10 -- The Moon enters her Last (a.k.a. Third) Quarter phase at 2:04 PM EDT, at 20 degrees of Capricorn, the sign where she is in detriment (meaning not terribly happy, astrologically speaking). This phase change happens about an hour or so after moonset. The Moon will occupy this phase for about a week before entering her New cycle.  Skywatching event of the week: 4/8 -- The Moon will pass just to the south of bright Jupiter, rising high in the southeastern sky as seen from most of the U.S -- well-placed for viewing. At the time of their closest approach (about 3:50 AM EDT) both celestial bodies will be in the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Holder. Space news of the week: A Russian Soyuz rocket is being prepped on the launch pad for liftoff later in the week to ferry a three-man replacement crew to the International Space Station. 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/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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This week, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the most active energetically and potentially most productive days (depending on what you’re doing!) The Moon is VOC/Sagittarius on 4/8/07 – 9:35PM to 11:36PM EDT – on 4/11/07 VOC/Capricorn – 5:57AM to 7:23AM EDT – on 4/13/07 9:50AM to 11:39AM EDT.

 

Sun in cardinal, fire Aries trine Saturn in fixed, fire Leo @ 18deg. on 4/8/07 @ 7:56AM EDT.

With this aspect begins the formation of a grand FIRE trine in the sky this week, involving the Sun, Saturn and Jupiter (3 planets equidistant, each approximately 120 deg. apart) – disseminating light, consciousness, energy and commitment to goals and prosperity through the right use of economics. At least that is the higher purpose to which these energies can aspire. First, the Sun connects energetically (fire) with Saturn forming a contract and focusing on form and a reality that is energetic as well as solid and accountable. If not accountable or stable (Saturn), then the project will fail.

 

Sun in cardinal, fire Aries trine (120deg.) Jupiter in mutable, fire Sagittarius @ 19deg. on 4/9/07 @ 8:07PM EDT. Having spoken to Saturn, the Sun forms a trine relationship with Jupiter. If the foundation was properly laid (Saturn), then Jupiter can use its magic to expand and promote the project for success. Tap into this magical energy, even though it remains exact for only a few days. You are breathing in the electromagnetic transmission of this cosmic energy – why not do so with intention?  The Aries Sun says begin, take the first step, and watch the energy develop – the next stage will be visible in early July as the Sun reaches a square to its current position and adjustments will need to be made.

 

Mercury in mutable, water Pisces square (90deg.) Pluto/Sagittarius @ 28deg. on 4/10/07 @ 3:23AM EDT. Finally, Mercury leaves watery and elusive (even slippery) Pisces, but not before meeting Pluto in a dynamic aspect. We can say this is an integration of all that was learned in the mystical realm of our Piscean (soulful, elusive) selves. The conclusions you reached in this past Mercury retrograde cycle will now be absorbed into your greater collective psychological self. At the same time, you may purge elements that are no longer relevant. It’s always best to recycle and renew – certainly our deep thought processes can benefit from some house cleaning. Be careful, your words may sting with this aspect. Separate personal hurt from what you need to express or communicate. If you are feeling all choked up, find an appropriate person to vent to, without blaming the listener.

 

Mercury enters cardinal, fire Aries on 4/10/07 @ 7:07PM EDT until 4/27/07. Your thoughts will catch fire and before you now it, you’re off and running to reach a conclusion. No question, this is a fast-thinking time. Still, take a moment to consider the consequences, always a bit of an afterthought with Aries. The impulse is to move, speedily, to reach the desired goal. Observe impetuosity around you, as well as creative innovation.

 

Sun in cardinal, fire Aries sextile (60deg.) Neptune in fixed, air Aquarius @ 21deg. on 4/11/07 @ 3:35PM EDT. Fiery Aries Sun meets Neptune, and inspiration can join with action. This aspect interjects a dose of idealism. Your projects can take a spiritual, ecological point of view into account and will be better for it. In a sextile the opportunity presents itself but does not press the point. You may miss this opportunity, if you move too quickly and disregard the subtle message. This aspect is only for those tuned in to higher levels of awareness. You can go it alone or you can join and share your energies/ideas with a group for mutual benefit.

 

Venus enters mutable, air Gemini on 4/11/07 @ 10:15PM EDT until 5/8/07. Venus now spends some time in flirtatious, loquacious Gemini – and a good time will be had by all! This socially aware sign loves to quip and joke and therefore wants an audience to play with and test its verbal sagacity. You may find yourself listening to a steady stream of consciousness chatter from the most unlikely sources, as this position loosens the tongue and opens the floodgates of the mind. You are sure to have some VERY interesting conversations and your own mind may want to discharge information as well. After all, just how much information can one mind hold?

NewsBits: A Plutonian Discovery! Contrary to what we typically see covered in the news, a Pluto station (3/31/07) does not always bring explosive violence and disaster. Sometimes, it means new discoveries. A University of Memphis team of archeologists announced the discovery in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt (known as a site for burials); of an intact Egyptian tomb complete with all artifacts (it was never raided). Certainly, a rare find – nothing like this has been unearthed since the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. The tomb was at the bottom of a shaft beneath some workmen’s huts surrounding another tomb. The newly-discovered tomb contained five mummies and 20 earthen storage jars with pharoic seals. The mummies have not been identified, as yet. Egypt’s chief archeologist believes the mummies are royal, and may have been hastily moved to prevent tomb-raiding. It’s even possible that one of the mummies is Queen Nefertiti. The tomb dates back to the 18^th Dynasty, which is actually the first dynasty of the so-called New Kingdom, 1539-1292 BC. It was a completely surprising discovery, as the archeological team was not looking for it. The whole thing sounds like the kind of puzzle of mystery and history we can extrapolate from Uranus in Pisces, Neptune in Aquarius, and Pluto in Sagittarius. All of these outer planet sign positions express discovery and renaissance – a review of where we have been, what we know, how we know it, and why it is or isn’t relevant. We can be sure that the process of Pluto, and particularly currently at its station degree (28) will bring buried material to the surface. With Jupiter disposing of Pluto also in Sagittarius, we are encouraged to seek broader understanding – in this case of ancient Egypt. We are reminded of the rich heritage of our ancestors in that region. Perhaps it can give us pause at the strife that is plaguing these lands of our origins. The war in the Middle East is exactly about ancient origins and lands, and the meaning these ancient beliefs have for us in modern times.