Planet Weather for the Week of April 29, 2007

SkyWatch – Moon phase of the week: 5/2 -- The Moon reaches perfect fullness at 6:09 AM EDT, at 11 degrees of Scorpio. This is just after moonset on the East coast but the Moon will still be above the western horizon for most of the U.S. In folklore and to Native Americans, this moon is known as the Flower Moon and also as the Corn Planting Moon (both for obvious reasons). Skywatching event of the week: 4/30 -- The Moon passes less than a degree and a half south of the bright astrological star Spica in the constellation Virgo, with their point of closest approach coming about 7 PM EDT. This is just after moonrise on the East Coast but, unfortunately, occurs just before sunset in this region and before moonrise for much of North America. However, the two brilliances will still be very close together after the sun sets and they rise higher in the East an hour or so later. Space news of the week: There is possibly a major astronomical discovery in the making. Last week, scientists announced that they had detected an Earthlike planet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 581, a bit over 20 light-years distant from Earth. Called simply Gliese c, this new planet is the smallest "exoplanet," or world orbiting another star, ever detected. What is causing even more excitement, however, is the fact that this new planet lies in the so-called "habitable zone" of its star, meaning that liquid water could exist on its surface (though this has yet to be confirmed). Thus Gliese c is the first truly earthlike planet ever to be detected and could possibly have conditions to harbor life, a further possible discovery that would have profound implications for every area of human endeavor! 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, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday are the most active energetically and potentially most productive days (depending on what you’re doing!) The Moon is VOC/Libra on 5/1/07 – 4:07AM to 6:41AM EDT – and on 5/3/07 VOC/Scorpio – 2:43AM to 6:48PM EDT (a long one & during working hours!)

SkyPatterns:

Mars in mutable, water Pisces conjunct (0deg.) Uranus/Pisces @ 17deg. on 4/29/07, 12:38AM EDT. Once every two years, Mars meets Uranus and the lightening bolts fly. The intent of the aspect is awakening, or separation to gain perspective and a wider view, the big picture or the truth of one’s life, a situation or a relationship. The other side of the aspect is explosiveness for the same reason – to gain attention to make a wide statement that won’t be missed. In Pisces, an action may come from a hidden and an unexpected source, or both. You may be in for a surprise from a male in your life, close to you. You may want to throw off the shackles of convention and discover for yourself a direction that appeals to your personal sense of truth. This is also the “aha!” of discovery, of striking out on an unknown path with only your intuition to guide you and the willingness to be the fool. This kind of action takes you away from the herd mentality and forces personal creative action, yet is often a lonely path to tread. Wherever this conjunction falls in your personal chart, you are initiating something based on a new level of awareness in that arena of life.

Mars/Pisces squares (90deg.) Jupiter in mutable, fire Sagittarius @ 18deg. on 4/30/07, 6:21PM EDT. Mars continues its journey and confronts Jupiter – what was begun with Uranus continues to expand and grow, whether for good or ill. Be careful of going to such extremes that you burn your bridges and then cannot return, also known as the “pariah syndrome.” Discord has its place and truth must be revealed and respected, but make sure the consequences are evaluated. Be a rebel with a cause!

Venus in mutable, air Gemini trine (120deg.) Neptune in fixed, air Aquarius @ 21deg. on 4/30/07, 9:35PM EDT. Things may seem unreal or dreamlike. You may desire to escape reality and find enchantment and value in gentleness, mercy, and compassion. Your relationship may need a dose of simple understanding, some gentle down-time with good communication. This aspect favors inspiration and so is good for artists of all kinds and for viwing or particiaptng in art or music venues.

Sun in fixed, earth Taurus conjunct Mercury/Taurus @ 13deg. on 5/3/07, 12:06AM EDT. Thoughts turn to pleasure and relaxation, the more easygoing activities and soothing qualities that make life rich with good feelings and lots of comfort. A luxurious bath, a relaxing massage, great food and drink, and rest from our overworked lives is what this aspect reminds us of.

Mercury/Taurus sextile (60deg.) Uranus @ 17deg. on 5/5/07, 11:52AM EDT. The neurons fire actively, and yet you know that you can take your time to be deliberate and plan for a solid presentation (PowerPoint or otherwise!) and high quality. Be open to new ideas and enlivening whatever you focus your mind on, provided the value is solid and without undue pressure.

Mercury/Taurus square (90deg.) Saturn @ 18deg. on 5/5/07, 6:55PM EDT. When Saturn gets into the picture, quality control is highlighted. Can your idea pass Saturn’s test? Have you prepared, and does the idea or project have durability? Will it actually work in real time and in the marketplace? Issues of commitment also arise with this energy and you may be disappointed if someone lets you down or renigs on a promise.

News Bits:

Boris Yeltsin Dies! Another former leader is dead and we astrologers can’t help but recognize that Saturn is till in Leo, which often pertains to leaders and their changes in status or, in this case, the end of life. All Leos and leaders have status tests during the time Saturn passes through Leo. By this, it is meant that there are developmental challenges and both the pressure and consequences of time and gravity. Boris Yeltsin was born on 2/1 1937, in what is now Yekaterinburg, Russia with conflicting times on record. He was born with Mars in Leo but retrograde, and the most significant indication of his death is that progressed Mars, although now direct, had returned to his natal birth degree.  Being an Aquarian, the last two years of Saturn in Leo meant that both his Sun, his vital life force, and his Mars energy, were pressured by transiting Saturn. This is significant because Saturn’s last transit over the same place would have been approximately 28.5 years ago. Yeltsin, with the booming voice and strong fixed sign Leo/Aquarius presentation, had the distinction of being the first popularly elected Leader in Russian history. On 6/12/91, he became President of Russia. On 4/23/07, he died.

Alberto Gonzales and the Fired Prosecutors Saga! Alberto Gonzales is on the hot seat and getting grilled but good by the Senate investigating his part in the firing of US attorneys for possible political reasons. Looking at his chart, (8/4/55, San Antonio, TX, time unknown), it comes as no surprise that this man is also feeling the pressure and fall from grace that Saturn in Leo often brings. Gonzales has, count ‘em 6 (out of 10) planets in Leo – Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Sun, Mars and Pluto. Significantly he is another Mars/Leo in the news along with others we’ve mentioned in previous issues of Planet Weather (Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Donald Trump). Things don’t look good for Gonzales, especially since Pluto is his last Leo planet in the lineup. And when Saturn meets Pluto it typically means that something is ending or just over. It just may be time for Gonzales to send out his next job applications.