Planet Weather for the Week of July 29, 2007

                                                                                                                                  

SkyWatch – Moon phase of the week: 7-29 -- The Moon reaches perfect fullness at 8:48 PM EDT, at 6 degrees of Aquarius. This Full Moon occurs just after moonrise (and sunset) on the U.S. East Coast and so should be an especially beautiful sight for those of us in this location. In both Native American tradition and folklore, this Full Moon is the macho Buck Moon when the new antlers of male deer thrust from their foreheads with velvety coatings. It's aka the equally assertive Thunder Moon, thunderstorms being very frequent around now. This week, there are no close passes of the Moon to any planets or stars or any passes of the planets near each other or stars. However, all week Venus and Saturn -- with their combination of astrologically "benefic" and "malefic" planets -- are still within a half-dozen or so degrees of each other and still visible together low in the west after sunset. Space news of the week: Here's a somewhat negative NASA twofer. As reported last week by a special panel studying astronaut health, on at least two occasions astronauts were allowed to launch after flight surgeons and other astronauts warned that they were so drunk they posed a flight-safety risk. NASA also discovered the apparent sabotage of an International Space Station (ISS) component due to be launched with the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The good news is that Endeavour's first mission in nearly five years is now scheduled for early August. 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 - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the most active energetically and potentially most productive days (depending on what you’re doing!) On 7/31/07, the Moon is VOC/Aquarius from 7:55AM to 1:40PM EDT – on 8/2/07, VOC/Pisces from 11:37AM to 4:43PM EDT – on 8/4/07, VOC/Aries from 1:31PM EDT to 7:16PM.

 

PlanetPatterns:

The following planetary energy patterns flavor the day and are felt or experienced often hours before and after their exact culmination. They remain effective, certainly until the next major planetary pattern comes along to shift the energy.

 

Mars in fixed, earth Taurus square (90deg.) Saturn in fixed, fire Leo @ 25deg. on 7/31/07 @ 8:01PM EDT. STOP. Do not pass Go until the problem is solved and your goal is clear. This aspect typically means a delay or an obstacle on the road or on the trajectory you’re traveling. Solve the issue and you’ll be on your way again, typically with a stronger resolve. Issues of this combo are those of organization, integrity, and tests for viability. The lesson may be a harsh or disappointing, one bringing you face to face with a reality you could have been avoiding. This energy represents delays due to structural problems and indicates that timing is, or becomes, an issue. This aspect completes a T-square in the sky (an opposition of two or more planets, squared on either end by another planet or planets), following last week’s Mars square Neptune, which is often an aspect of illusion, deception, or unforeseen happening and indicates a dissolving (Neptune) energy (Mars). The recent over-300-point drop in the stock market is a perfect example of this configuration – along with Venus’ station retrograde the following day. (Venus = values and valuables, including money.)

 

Sun in fixed, fire Leo trine (120deg.) Jupiter Rx in mutable, fire Sagittarius @ 9deg. on 8/2/07 @ 11:12AM. This positive aspect usually spells enthusiasm and a range of possibility. Reaching goals seems fortunate, doors open and favor is bestowed. There’s a natural flow of joy and everything seems easier and more available. At the same time, it’s also easier to overdo, overspend, or overextend. It must be remembered that ease can be used in the service of attaining a negative or hurtful outcome, as well as one with integrity or a positive intention. The person using the “tool” determines to what end it will be applied.

 

Mercury in cardinal, water Cancer sextile (60deg.) Mars in fixed, earth Taurus @ 27deg. on 8/3/07 @ 5:53AM EDT. You have a strong opinion and you’re willing to share it! New ideas are percolating and feedback from others seems positive. An idea is worked out in pragmatic terms. Talking through an issue releases tensions.

 

Mercury enters fixed, fire Leo on 8/4/07 @ 1:15PM EDT until 8/19/07. Mercury shifts out of worrisome, watery Cancer into bold and opinionated Leo. This fiery Mercury is also humorous and entertaining, and you’ll find people expounding from their soapboxes. Expect some justification and insistence on the veracity of one’s opinion. Ideas are stubbornly held. Bold and showy, this Mercury likes center stage and can be prone to childish displays of ego.

 

NewsBits: India Elects a Woman President! For the first time, India elects a woman to lead her. Pratibha Patil is 72 years old and proves that India’s sentiments regarding women may be shifting and that the unconscious of the nation values a wise woman. (Although, Indira Ghandi was India's Prime Minister back in the 70's, we think). Women are devalued in Indian society because of a long-held custom that parents of a female must bestow a very large dowry to the intended husband’s family. This victory however is a step forward in ending discrimination against women. The President’s role is largely ceremonial in nature. However, Patil will be commander in chief of India’s army, the 4^th largest in the world. Patil was born on 12/19/1934, in Jalgaon, India. She is a Sagittarius Sun trine Uranus in Aries with a Moon in quick-witted Gemini. She won the presidency by 2/3 of the vote and with Pluto conjunct her Sun and Saturn trine both Sun and Uranus, creating a grand trine in her chart. The world looks on to determine what good Pratibha Patil can generate in this historic female elected role.

UTube Presidential Debates! It’s a completely new era in Presidential candidate debates. On July 23, 2007 history was made as normal, everyday people come forth and ask questions of the candidates via the popular online site UTube. [You had a roughly 1 in 20 chance of having your question aired.] Presidential hopefuls are unlikely to debate the “old” way again – since the people have tasted this style! Granted, there will still be censorship of the thousands of UTube videos submitted, but the fact that candidates can see people live via video asking them quite pointed and some very personal questions is a form that is a leap up from the Town Hall forum, and we believe completely cancels out the old style of debate where journalists formulated all the questions. Many astrological indicators right now revolve around the axis of Cancer/Capricorn – which I like to call the parental axis. It is the axis of responsibility, accountability, basic quality of life, the marketplace, status, respect, integrity. Those are some issues that will be up for review when Pluto enters Capricorn for the first time on 1/26/08. The last Mercury retrograde (Rx) in Cancer gave us some clues – health care is an issue, immigration is big – Cancer is the family, the clan, food, housing, basic necessities, and Capricorn, the opposite sign, is the bureaucracy, or the regulations and structures that society has in place to provide protection and services. Supporting this theme and giving us clues as to what is to come is Mars entering Cancer and retrograding in that sign on 11/16/07. On 12/19/07, Jupiter enters Capricorn for one year and, as already stated, Pluto enters Capricorn in January. Expect forms and institutions long held to be valid, crumble as we make way for forms and structures that are more valid and hopefully begun on a foundation of greater integrity. (It’s already beginning). It’s time to take stock and review your habits and the reality you’ve created and make necessary changes if you are unhappy with some of the existing pattern of your life.