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Planet Weather for
Weeks 7/3 and 7/10/11.
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NewsBits: Whitey Bulger Captured!
Oh that Neptune sitting at 0 Pisces is leaking secrets left and right and bringing
hidden things to light, and even people who have long been
hiding and on the lam. “Whitey” Bulger was captured
on 6/22/11, after more than 15 years evading justice. Bulger
has a history of being a dual agent, FBI informant, and mob boss in Boston, MA.
He was dubbed “Whitey” because of his pale blond hair. He is accused of
murdering 19 people, or more, during his criminal reign, as well as of
racketeering, drug-running, extortion, and loan-sharking.
James
“Whitey” Bulger was born on 9/3/1929 in Dorchester,
MA (no time available). Once again Neptune
exercises its might. Its current position at 0 Pisces is opposite Bulger’s birth Neptune @ 1Virgo, stimulating the energies of
deception and personal blind spots. What’s also amazing is that he’s also at
the start of his Uranus return cycle, which happens to all of us at around age
83-84. This means that he was born with Uranus in Aries, and this same planet/sign
combination is traversing our current sky because Uranus returns to its birth
position after about 84 years. Bulger’s strongest
birth pattern is Mars/Libra opposite his Uranus/Aries, which often indicates
one who is rebellious in some way, who chooses a path
that is different, or unconventional. This position can also indicate an
ability to compartmentalize and turn off aspects of self in a seemingly cold
and calculated way. It’s a highly creative and unique aspect but, as with all planetary
aspects, it can be used destructively or positively. Bulger
may also have Saturn/Sagittarius square his Moon/Virgo, closer if he was born
in the afternoon/evening. This aspect contributes to the theme already
identified of compartmentalizing and controlling or even cutting off his
emotional responsiveness. They say that crime doesn’t pay but for Bulger, it lasted for a good long time.
SkyWatch for the weeks of 7/3-7/10/11
Moon phase for the week of 7/3: 7/8 -- The Moon enters Her First Quarter phase at 2:29 AM EDT, at 15
degrees of Libra. Skywatching events of the week: 7/7
-- The waxing Crescent Moon makes a close pass by Saturn a couple of hours
before sunset on the East Coast. You can view the two together high in the sky
after sunset and watch the Moon slowly "pull away" from Saturn (although
it will seem that Saturn is actually moving ahead of the Moon in the direction
of the western horizon).
Moon phase for the week of 7/10: 7/15 -- The Moon reaches perfect Fullness at 2:40 AM EDT, at 22 degrees
of Capricorn. In Native American and folk traditions, this is the Sturgeon Moon
when this large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water like
Lake Champlain is most readily caught. Skywatching
events of the week: 7/30 -- Mercury is now an "evening star" and
should be visible low in the West after sunset for a couple of weeks as it
moves towards its Greatest Western Elongation, the point where it trails the
Sun going down by the greatest angular distance. Mercury is followed in the
evening by Saturn. Mars and Jupiter are now "morning stars", rising a
few hours before the Sun.
Space News and Weather: There's a new
face on Mars! Google Mars is producing all kinds of "discoveries" by
amateur enthusiasts. The latest is a face that resembles Mahatma Gandhi in
profile. Most features like this are indeed the result of natural processes and
are called "simulacra" or natural formations that resemble sculptures
of something or someone. Probably most faces and other similar patterns spotted
on Mars are of this type. But "most" does not mean all....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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week of 7/3/11 – Monday (US
Independence Day! –
Venus enters Cancer), Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are the most
active days energetically – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with
others, projects, and stimulation for producing results, or demands/challenges
on your energy. On 7/3/11, the
Moon is VOC/Leo from 12:26PM to 9:15PM EDT (next day!) – On 7/5/11, the Moon is
VOC/Virgo from 8:19PM to 11:54PM EDT (next day!) – On 7/8/11, Moon is VOC/Libra
from 2:29AM to 2:31AM EDT (next day!)
Week of 7/10/11 – Tuesday, and Wednesday are the most
active days energetically – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with
other or projects, and stimulation for producing results, or demands/challenges
on your energy. On 7/10/11, the
Moon is VOC/Scorpio from 9:05AM to 5:47AM EDT (next day!) – On 7/12/11, the
Moon is VOC/Sagittarius from 8:21AM to 10:14AM EDT (next day!) – On 7/15/11,
the Moon is VOC/Capricorn from 2:40AM to 4:30PM EDT.
Summary: The
first week of July is high pitched as many planetary changes take place and
over the holiday weekend. The second week is calmer but we may be doing damage
control from the previous week. Stay alert and don’t take reckless chances.
Quote of Note: “The fewer
the facts, the stronger the opinion” – Arnold H. Glasow
Planet Patterns and Cosmic Headlines:
Venus enters cardinal, water Cancer on 7/4/11, until
7/28/11. Exactly on the Fourth of July holiday, Venus
enters the sign of emotional closeness, home, family, food, comfort and family
habits and traditions. How very appropriate! So, take a cue from this position
of Venus and gather your family and close friends around you to share food and
drink. This Venus tends to be sensitive to the feelings of others but often has
trouble setting limits. Its basic nature is to respond and please. We all know
that can lead to overburdening yourself, taking care of others, and failing to
take care of your own needs. Other features of this Venus are kindness, compassion,
softness, and nurturing capabilities. It’s time we remember the traditions that
brought us comfort, that were unique and special to our own family, and that
bring comfort and feelings of nostalgia. This is a sentimental Venus and all
activities that bring closeness or feather and protect the so-called “nest” are
highlighted.
Jupiter in fixed, earth Taurus
trine (120deg.) Pluto in cardinal, earth Capricorn @ 5deg. on 7/7/11. Jupiter in Venus-ruled,
earthy Taurus is boosting the influence of Pluto in Capricorn. The end result
may increase your desire to spend for beautiful things. Just make sure you are
not over-spending and that funds are available for your desired purchase. This
aspect may grant some ease in finances with a windfall of profits, but it is
possible to overdo or count your chickens before they’re hatched. Better to be
certain of cash in hand and an assessment of your financial capacities before
making large purchases. Other possibilities include finding ways to market or
sell your products or ideas. This aspect is exact three separate times. The
second pass takes place on 10/28/11, and with the final contact on 3/13/12, is
likely to open up some financial doors.
Uranus in cardinal, fire Aries makes a station
retrograde (Rx) @ 4deg. on 7/9/11. This is the biggest news
of the coming week and is likely to bring some unprecedented surprises and
reversal in the news, as well as in your personal life. Anytime an outer planet
makes a stopping point (a station), the energy registers loudly. Uranus offers
us the unexpected, surprises and lightning bolts of awareness. Expect some
special “aha!” moments and treasure the revelations. A Uranus station is a
great time to focus on your creativity and ways in which you can up-date your business, and projects and simply add fresh air and space
around all the situations of your life. Uranus is also tolerance, acceptance of
differences, and humanitarianism. Uranus stands for the truth of freedom for
all. Gather your varied friends and revel in the soup of human nature and the
wonderful variety and range of expression all around you.
Currently Active Paradigm-Shift Patterns -- Back Stories: Repeats and elaboration of the
major configurations affecting all of us currently.
Jupiter entered fixed, earth Taurus on 6/4/11 until
6/12/12. Jupiter
stays in Taurus without moving back into the previous sign, even when it turns
retrograde (it remains in Taurus), which only happens about every three years.
Most of the time when Jupiter turns retrograde in any sign, it moves back into
the sign before and then its retrograde cycle moves between the two signs. We
might speculate that this can grant us greater relaxation and stability from
the fast and furious and sudden changes that we’ve all witnessed since the
beginning of this year, at least, while Jupiter was in fiery Aries. Stable and
practical with a certain amount of sweetness, abundance, or favor is the
message of this giving Jupiter in a Venus-ruled sign.
Neptune in mutable, water Pisces turned Retrograde @
0degrees on 6/3/11. Almost two months after Neptune first entered Pisces, it makes its station retrograde and leaves Pisces on
8/4/11 to complete its cycle in the previous sign, Aquarius. Neptune returns to
Pisces on 2/4/12 for the extent of its stay – until 3/31/25. So, we’ve had a
taste of Neptune’s dissolving energies and the power of the water! Anyone with
planets near 0deg. of any sign has been especially imprinted with Neptunian
themes such as paranormal experiences, illumination about some life themes or
experiences, and secrets leaking out, or even some
funky illness. Neptune energies can also manifest as melancholy as we review
dreams that may not have materialized, make necessary adjustments, all the
while maintaining our faith in life, spirit and the meaning of it all.
Neptune entered mutable, water Pisces for the first time in 164
years on 4/4/11. Neptune turns Retrograde on @ 0deg. on 6/3/11 – Neptune
returns to Aquarius on 8/4/11. Neptune re-enters Pisces for the duration of its
14 year cycle on 2/4/12. This planet’s sign change is the
biggest news in April and has consequences for the next 14 years. Now we have
the third outer planet making a sign change since January 2008, setting in
motion a series of conditions and events that have global long-term effects.
There is much to say about this momentous passage and we only get a taste this
year, since Neptune will retrograde back to Aquarius from 8/4/11, through
2/4/12. Neptune is entering the modern rulership of
its own sign Pisces and expresses itself quite naturally here according to its
intrinsic nature. We can expect the need for greater sensitivity and
environmental protections, as the harm we have done to the planet becomes more
obvious. [And Gaia thinks seriously about giving us an eviction
notice.] We may witness the formation of new religious groups and a
reformation of existing religion as we know it. Secrets may be exposed and more
leaks of information that some people may not wish to be revealed. On the
positive side, new artistic accomplishments will flower in all fields,
especially music, but all across the artistic spectrum. In essence it is a
cultural call for greater refinement and attunement to what we often take for
granted or fail to notice.
Neptune was discovered in 1846, and entered Pisces on 4/26/1847
through 1861. Oddly enough, Uranus was also in Aries (although farther along in
the sign) when Neptune entered Pisces for the first time (since its discovery).
This is only the second time, after Neptune came into our consciousness
awareness, that Neptune is transiting Pisces! Both Neptune and Pisces are
tricky. They operate on a completely different level. Pisces is known for its
hyper-sensitivity, compassion, diffusiveness, spirituality, dream-like
imagination, second-sight, idealism, patronage of the arts, and the ability to
dissolve barriers of all kinds for greater unity. Negative manifestation
includes: dissipation, neglect, addictions, deception, drugs, theft, scandals,
and secrets. Neptune leaves Pisces on 3/31, 2025. A few highlights of Neptune’s
last transit through Pisces include: new social movements, such as Marxism,
emancipation of slaves, the start of the US Civil War, the California Gold
Rush, the Romantic movement in music, and
transcendentalism. You can be sure we’ll be discussing Neptune’s amazing
journey through Pisces in future issues of PW.
It’s not even a month since Neptune
entered Pisces, which we have not experienced for 166 years! As we begin to
integrate with this complex novel energy infusion, you may notice a greater
sensitivity or subtlety. Neptune dissolves barriers and that is one of the
reasons a positive Neptunian response often allows greater compassion for human
error and human frailty. Neptune deals with the unseen and the unnoticed and
often accounts for spiritual breakthroughs and even paranormal experiences. I
believe that this transit of Neptune through Pisces will loosen the boundaries
between the material realm and the spiritual or energetic realms. Many of us
will experience more than can be easily explained through the measurable
functions of science. This can be a time of high magic but also the stripping
away of illusions and deceptions and unless one has a strong inner core, the
disillusionment we find may destabilize us. Practice faith in the joy of being
alive and the true mysticism of that fact alone, no matter what your religious
beliefs may be. Neptune is magical and a component of magic is addiction, as we
seek to recreate the transcendence of blissful states that allow us to escape
the harsher realities of everyday life.
Uranus re-entered Aries on 3/11/11, and remains
there until May 2018. This is the biggest news of March and beyond, and heralds
a new upward spiral in social and cultural evolution. Last summer, Uranus
teased us by parking itself and remaining only at 0deg. Aries (the powerful
degree of the Spring Equinox) from 5/27-8/13/10. Now it really means business –
it has engaged into its full cycle. Any planet in the first sign of the Zodiac
wants to start a fire, begin something new, innovate, and create or reinvent
something in its own image. This combination can certainly be aggressive, bold,
courageous, willful, and because of the influence of Uranus, unexpected and
explosive. Most of the previous text was written well before the popular
uprisings (conflagrations) in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and other parts of the
Middle East. We are seeing the effects of individuals asserting
themselves in their striving for personal freedoms that they believe are their
birthright. Repressive regimes will no longer be tolerated. Aries represents
the new and renewal – as it emerges from the dreams of the previous sign,
Pisces. It burns with the fire of justice and courage to be free at any cost.
Saturn in cardinal, air Libra turned Stationary Retrograde (Rx) @
17deg. on 1/26/11. Saturn remains Rx until 6/13/11. We’ve
had our share of challenges, burdens and tasks, now haven’t we? When a planet
makes a station, it is demanding that we recognize its energy and pay
particular attention to the message it is transmitting in our lives. In
general, Saturn in Libra addresses the questions of balance, fairness,
relationships, negotiations, and compromise. With Saturn there is always some
kind of evaluation, some testing of standards met or not, and have we achieved
what we set out to do in the various areas of our life? If we feel we are out
of balance, then we will want to rebalance, or renegotiate the contracts we’ve
made. Saturn will be backtracking now, to refine those imbalances and to test
the rebalancing that you’ve begun. What is it exactly that makes for harmony
and contentment in your life? All Libras, Aries, Cancers and Capricorns are
feeling this testing more – and this current retrograde segment affects those
born between early to mid-April, July, October, and January. Ask your
astrologer where and how this Station degree affects your chart.
Saturn entered cardinal, air Libra on 10/29/09. The full cycle
lasts until 10/6/12. Saturn retrograded back into the last
three degrees of the previous sign, Virgo, from 4/8/10-7/22/10. What
can we expect? Let’s speak to the greater implications of this 2.5-year
Saturn-sign cycle. Saturn is exalted in Libra. This so-called “essential
dignity” means there’s more of a commitment to promote cooperation and harmony
among equals. Or, we can say, that is the primary striving in this combination.
The collective will be more focused on what is fair and equitable and what is
not. Generally, the message is to find the imbalances and rebalance as needed.
Where are you giving your commitment and attention? Are the returns you receive
what you really want? If not, then adjust those commitments and relationships
for greater equality and fairness. Saturn in Libra also asks – what matters and
what is valuable? When there is real value, it is easier to make a commitment
for a longer time and with greater attention and intention. All major
relationships and, in particular, those with Libra/Aries Sun, Moon, or
Ascendant, will be put to a greater test. Saturn in a cardinal sign is more
proactive than in other signs, and you may find that you seek order from recent
chaos and productivity from prior stress and mess.