Planet Weather for the Week of July 19&26, 2009

NewsBits: Preview: Saturn enters Libra on 10/29/09. We are about to move into another phase of the 16-year Pluto in Capricorn cycle. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, so it is important in understanding its dynamic expression by noting where Saturn is located at any time in the cycle. Saturn was in Virgo when Pluto entered Capricorn (first on 1/26/08 and finally on 11/25/08) and we experienced general and specific breakdowns in various long-established systems. Both Saturn and Pluto in earth signs increased the instability factor of tangible systems. As Saturn moves into the air sign of Libra, we will be dealing more actively with ideas, people, relationships and issues of value, and because of Libra’s desire for fairness and balance, we will experience greater incidence and evidence of unfairness and inequality. Saturn always shows where the system is weak and what needs to be repaired.

As Saturn enters Libra, it will bring about the first strong challenge to Pluto’s Capricorn message by squaring it, (90deg. angle), and we can anticipate a serious crises situation that will need immediate attention. What can we expect? For one thing, the value of the dollar could depreciate even more as the US keeps increasing its debt-load. US relationships with allies will need negotiation and revision. President Obama will likely have a serious new international conflict on his Presidential plate besides the continuing domestic crisis and potential higher unemployment numbers. Saturn in Libra is about the well-being of people and what is fair and just. More than likely, Saturn’s passage through Libra will also include the struggle to forge a better health-care system for US citizens and the enormous price tag attached to that. Once Saturn enters Libra, it begins the Saturn return cycle for the United States, since the US was born with this Saturn position. The last time Saturn passed through Libra was 1981 - 1984. New economic systems were initiated with Reaganomics during that time. Clearly, we are in a more conservative trend and the call for fiscal responsibility and change in that arena is high. Saturn in Libra sits at the top of the US chart in its 10^th House and so represents the President, and the initiation of many new policies, some certainly due to crises situations.

On a personal level, as always, determine where the transit of Saturn is located in your chart. Next, realize that you will be required to negotiate and rebalance some relationships, the value these relationships have for you. In addition, how you are using and securing the valuables you hold most dear. Consideration for the viewpoint and rights of others will be vital in negotiating this cycle. We will continue to discuss and interpret this new cycle as we get closer to it. Stay tuned.

SkyWatch: Moon phases for the next two weeks: 7/21 -- The Moon enters Her New cycle at 10:35 PM EDT, at 29 degrees of Cancer, a so-called "critical degree" in astrology, made even more critical by the fact that this New Moon also occasions a total Solar Eclipse. The path of totality begins in India, crosses China, and then heads out into the Pacific Ocean. As an added note, this will be the longest total solar eclipse of the 21^st century. (Unfortunately, it will not be visible from the US.) 7/28 -- The Moon enters Her First Quarter phase at 6:00 PM EDT on the nose, at 5 degrees of Scorpio, the sign of Her fall (being opposite Taurus, the sign of Her exaltation). Skywatching events for the next two weeks: 7/24-25 -- The Moon makes a close pass by Saturn. Their point of closest approach occurs after both have set for observers in the US but they will be close after sunset on both days, with the Moon first below Saturn and then above on the next evening. 7/29 -- The South Delta Aquarid meteor shower peaks. This meteor shower is not a major one but may exhibit up to twenty streaks per hour at peak, appearing to originate in the constellation Aquarius. Space news for the coming two weeks: Once again, the Space Shuttle eclipses (so to speak) other space news with its successful launch this past week after weather delays, tying the record for most-delayed launch (it was originally scheduled for this past June). Strips of foam peeled away from Endeavour's fuel tank during the launch. It was not immediately clear whether the Shuttle's fragile heat shield suffered any significant damage but the initial belief was that it was probably not serious. The primary goals of the lengthy, 16-day mission include attaching an experiment platform to the Japanese laboratory module on the International Space Station (ISS), replacing aging solar array batteries on the ISS, and delivering various spare parts and components. Fare forward, space voyagers! 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Weeks of 7/19 & 7/26/09 – 7/19: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday 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. Thursday is the most distracted day of the week! On 7/19/09, the Moon is VOC/Gemini from 6:12PM to 11:51PM EDT  – On 7/21/09, the Moon is VOC/Cancer  from 10:35PM to 11:28PM EDT – On 7/23/09, the Moon is VOC/Leo from 4:28PM to 11:23PM EDT—On 7/25/09, the Moon is VOC/Virgo from 7:14PM to 1:25AM EDT (next day!) – On 7/27/09, the Moon is VOC/Libra from 10:54PM to 6:56AM EDT (next day!) – On 7/30/09 the Moon is VOC/Scorpio from 8:54AM to 4:10PM EDT .

 

 

Planet Patterns & Cosmic Headlines for the next few weeks:

 

Summary:  Venus/Gemini is a busy planet over the coming weeks. It makes strong contacts with Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune and lastly Uranus before it moves into Cancer, so our values and relationships have some challenges with contraction, expansion and idealism. Mercury/Leo makes strong connections with Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto the week of 7/27/09. We may take risks with our communication and feel more compassion and understanding and deepen our understanding of the way ideas and communication is conveyed.

 

Solar Eclipse New  Moon @ 29 Cancer on 7/21/09! The big news of this week is the interplay of light and shadow created by an eclipse. This total Solar Eclipse means that the Sun’s light will be completely blocked by the Moon along the “path of totality” formed by the moving shadow of the Moon cast on the Earth. It’s quite eerie if you’ve ever witnessed this during daylight hours. We are asked during this phenomenon to look at the shadow sides of consciousness (Sun). Since the Sun also represents leaders, they are challenged. Just recently in Iran, in the aftermath of the protest against a stolen election, the ruling religious body challenged the supreme religious head by announcing that the election was indeed fraudulent. This is an unheard of challenge to the supreme authority, and word of the supreme religious leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, who insisted that Ahmadinejad had won the election. This eclipse series (the same as the Lunar eclipse of 7/7/09) expresses sudden and unexpected events. One recent example is the bombings of Western hotels in Indonesia. If you have planets at or near this degree, a shadow or emphasis is stimulated on the energy and conditions of that planet. The effects of eclipses last for at least a year and can be ignited even longer. The first square from the Sun, three months later also often expresses the issue of the eclipse.

 

The Sun enters fixed, fire Leo on 7/22/09 until 8/22/09. At the height of each season are the fixed signs, which express the full character of that cycle. Leo is the heat and warmth of summer. Fixed signs are more concentrated in their energies and often are seen as stubborn or persistent because of this. Leo rules the heart and the back, so give yourself some time to relax and feel the joy of life. Be sure to find time to play and let those burdens of life slide away for a little while.

 

Venus enters cardinal, water Cancer on 7/31/09 until 8/26/09. Venus is nostalgic in Cancer and often overly emotional. There’s a tendency to reminisce and a desire to repeat fond memories. Perfect for family relationships, this Venus values closeness, consideration and caring. As Venus enters Cancer it immediately meets Pluto by opposition and potentially creating pressure within family or close relationships.

 

*Currently Active Paradigm-Shift Patterns: 

 

*Jupiter in fixed air, Aquarius conjunct (0deg.) Neptune/Aquarius for the second time @ 26 deg. on 7/10/09. Jupiter and Neptune are still in the throes of their second conjunction – still both very close by degree. The first of three conjunctions (meeting in the same sign and at the same degree) between these two planets took place on 5/27/09, and the third and last takes place on 12/21/09. As noted in previous issues of PW, it is rare (and important) to have these two planets that meet by conjunction about every 12 years make this aspect three separate times in their single cycle. The last triple occurrence of this sort was in 1919-1920! The next time will be in 2047 –2048! This conjunction is meant to bring hope and to inspire us to a wider understanding of what the meaning is of the lives we have lived and wish to continue to live. Expect some amazing synchronicity to appear in your life. Be aware of all meetings with others, events and involvements and what these may say to you, as well as the purpose of your life.

 

* Part 2 of 5 – Saturn in mutable, earth Virgo opposite (180 deg. angle) Uranus in mutable, water Pisces took place on 2/5/09 @ 20 deg.  – Preview: Part 3 of 5 is exact on 9/15/09 @ 24degrees. The first four oppositions between these two planets take place in the signs Virgo/Pisces, and the last one is in Aries/Libra in July of 2010. The first opposition took place on 11/4/08! It’s important to understand where this is taking place in your chart, the adjustments that are required of you, and how you will reconstruct habits in a specific area of your life. This is a pattern of adaptation and analysis of what works and what does not.  This challenging and often stressful aspect breaks things into their component parts in order to rebuild them on a more solid foundation. Individually your system may fracture, so that you can put it back together in a more workable fashion. Ask your astrologer to further clarify this important pattern and how it is operating in your life.