Main Planet Weather e-zine Specials Zodiac Signs Archives Art Gallery MINDWORKS Teaching Dorothy Oja Links
Planet
Weather for Weeks 8/14, 8/21 and 8/28/11.
NewsBits: Somalia – the Drought and the Children! Nineteen
years have gone by since the last drought of this magnitude hit Somalia.
Astrologically 19 years is a nodal cycle return – so we will examine that first.
Currently the Nodes of the Moon are traveling through Sagittarius/Gemini
(North/South respectively). These Nodes, because they are in mutable signs,
share with all mutables, issues regarding
distribution, whether information, products, etc. Of course with blocks to the
free flow of mutable energy, trouble results. Sagittarius is ruled by the
planet Jupiter and essentially Jupiter expands. When this energy is blocked, it
increases the scope and measure of the problem – so we have vast starvation and
almost insurmountable and compounded issues resulting from the blockage of aid
by rogue militant groups. Cholera has broken out as well as preventable
diseases like measles due to the banning of vaccinations by militant political
forces. In 1992, the Nodes of the Moon were also in Sagittarius/Gemini and it
was in August 1992, through December 1992, that aid poured into Somalia to help
with the starvation and related crises.
The
chart used for Somalia is the date of its independence from Britain, June 26,
1960, 12AM, Hargeysa, Somalia. Its chart shows two
areas of great impact. Transiting Uranus/Aries is sitting on its ASC of 3
Aries, expressing the intensity and the erratic nature of the militant action
taking place and affecting thousands. This slow moving transit also expresses
that an impending drought was foreseen and more could have been done to prevent
it. The trigger was Mars entering Cancer and stimulating a grouping of five
planets on the Cancer/Capricorn axis including in numerical order, Sun 4
Cancer, Venus 5 Cancer, Saturn 15 Capricorn, Moon 23 Cancer and Mercury 28
Cancer. This axis concerns basic human needs of food, home, family, security
and exhibits great difficulties with structural elements of its society (Saturn/Capricorn
opposing the four Cancer planets). In 1992, the triggers were Uranus conjunct
Neptune/Capricorn conjunct Somalia’s Saturn and opposing its four Cancer
planets. Transiting Mars was also in Cancer in the latter half of the crisis in
1992. When aid began in earnest in 1992, transiting Mars was in the previous
sign, Gemini, opposing Somalia’s Jupiter/Sagittarius – reminding us of
Jupiter’s way of behaving when negatively inclined, and that is to exacerbate
and spread the disaster to huge proportions and yet there are options, such as
aid.
Please
give what you can – a generation of children are
dying. CNN has a list of organizations
that are reputable www.CNN.com/impact
Market Gyrations!
The trigger was Mars in Cancer – the planet in the sign of its Fall – translation: is not as strong in expressing its
intrinsic energy. However, in this sign, Mars tends to generate anger and acts
emotionally when basic security is threatened. Three separate situations
compounded the wild up/down swing of the US markets, as well as other world
markets. The irritation and exasperation of Congress’s 11th hour
passage of the debt ceiling increase, which played into the destabilizing
decision by Standard
and Poor’s US credit rating downgrade for the first time in its history. Stagnant employment figures created great
insecurity but also confusion in the markets. There was a grand cross forming
with first Mars/Cancer square Uranus on 8/9, then Mars/Cancer opposite
Pluto/Capricorn on 8/11. All this just after Mercury/Virgo turned Retrograde
(Rx) on 8/2, fueling the tension of a decision by Congress. Mercury Rx made an
opposition to Neptune Rx/Aquarius on 8/8, and that was also the week leading up
to the Full Moon/Aquarius and that always creates emotional volatility,
especially with Mars in the Moon’s own sign! The last leg of the Grand Cross
completes when Mars/Cancer squares Saturn/Libra on 8/25/11, the day before
Mercury turns Direct. Mars/Saturn aspects typically embody contraction, delay,
stalling, balking, blockages, and difficulty in reaching decision but at the
same time a sense of needing to make a decision. That will be a cautious week,
with some exasperation.
London’s Burnings!
Mars in Cancer is certainly stirring up the emotions of people everywhere in
various ways and by various means. England, it seems, is no exception. The most
accepted chart for the United Kingdom is 12/7 1922, Westminster, England 15:28
GMT. First off, the UK is in its Saturn return. It shares that condition with
the US! In fact, in January 2011, Saturn/Libra made a Station Retrograde
exactly on the UK Saturn @ 17 Libra, which is a forewarning of an issue of
government and security. The apparent trigger was again Mars/Cancer because the
UK has Pluto Rx@ 10 Cancer and its Moon (the people) @ 23 Cancer. The people
are angry, and the deeper issue is a Saturn one, as mentioned, which is
systemic and deals with structures and government regulations and the need for
reform of institutions and policies. Issues will most likely worsen, as
transiting Pluto/Capricorn moves closer to an opposition to England’s
Pluto/Cancer. The handwriting is in the sky – massive systemic transformation
of outdated systems is the imperative of the times.
Planet Weather has been published for 14
years! If you value its content and the
information you've received, please consider donating. It’s easy to donate - click the DONATE button on my website www.planetweather.net or send a check to 309 School
St. Watertown, MA 02472. Thank you very much, it will help me continue to
publish and keep you astrologically well-informed about planetary patterns as
they relate to current events! Many thanks for all who have already donated -
it lets me know the work is appreciated. ~Cosmically Yours, Dorothy
SkyWatch for the weeks of 8/14, 8/21 and 8/28/11
Moon phase for the week of 8/14: There is no change of Moon phase this week!
This is one of those rare weeks (two or three a year) when the Moon undergoes
no change of phase, in this case remaining a waning Full Moon all week. Skywatching events of the week: 8/20 -- The Moon makes a
close pass by Jupiter. Their point of closest approach occurs at 5:14 AM, just
before sunrise as seen from the US East Coast, when both will be ideally
positioned for viewing high in the southern sky. Mars and Jupiter are visible
in the morning sky all week, and Saturn after sunset.
Moon phase for the week of 8/21: 8/21 -- The Moon enters Her Last (aka
Third) Quarter phase at 5:54 PM EDT at 28 degrees of Taurus, the sign of Her exaltation. Skywatching events
of the week: 8/25 -- The waning Crescent Moon makes a close pass by Mars. Their
point of closest approach occurs after sunrise as viewed from the US East
Coast, but the two will rise close together a couple of hours before sunrise,
with the Moon leading Mars up into the eastern sky. Mars and Jupiter continue
to be visible in the pre-dawn hours, and Saturn as an evening star.
Moon phase for the week of 8/28: 8/28 -- The Moon enters Her New cycle at
11:04 PM EDT, at 5 degrees of Virgo. Look for Her slender crescent low in the
West after sunset in a few days. Skywatching events
for the week: 8/31 -- The Waxing Crescent Moon makes a close pass by Saturn,
their point of closest approach occurring in the early afternoon. The Moon will
be separating from (and above) Saturn as the two go down together not long after
sunset. Both should be far enough behind the Sun to be readily visible in the
western sky after sunset. Mars and Jupiter continue to be visible in the
pre-dawn hours, Saturn as an evening star, and now Mercury should be far enough
ahead of the Sun to be visible low in the east before dawn.
Space News and Weather: NASA last week successfully launched the
Juno space probe towards Jupiter, which it will reach in mid-2016. Scientists
hope the Juno probe will help answer questions about the evolution of the early
solar system and the basic nature of so-called "gas giant" planets
like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, as well as scores of others
discovered around distant suns. Juno will actually go into a polar orbit around
Jupiter, a mere 3,000 miles above the planet's cloud tops. Given that Jupiter's
massive clouds are the most colorful and turbulent in the solar system, we
should be in for some spectacular viewing. 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 8/14/11 – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 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
8/14/11, the Moon is VOC/Aquarius from 8:26AM to 8:54AM EDT (very short!) – On
8/15/11, the Moon is VOC/Pisces from 4:21AM to 8:01PM (the next night – a
really long one!) on 8/19/11, the Moon is VOC/Aries
from 7:50AM to 8:36AM.
Week of 8/21/11 – Sunday, Tuesday (Sun enters Virgo), Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday (Mercury turns Stationary Direct!) 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 8/21/11, the Moon is
VOC/Taurus from 8PM to 8:53PM EDT – On 8/24/11, the Moon is VOC/Gemini from 5:34AM
to 6:31AM EDT – On 8/25/11, the Moon is VOC/Cancer from 9:04AM, to 12:09PM EDT
(next day!)
Week of 8/28/11 – Sunday (New Moon), Tuesday (Jupiter
turns Retrograde), Wednesday, and Friday 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 8/28/11, the Moon is VOC/Leo from 1:12PM to 2:13PM
EDT – On 8/29/11, the Moon is VOC/Virgo from 6:15PM to 2:25PM (next day!) – On
9/1/11, the Moon is VOC/Libra from 1:35PM to 2:48PM – On 9/3/11, the Moon is
VOC/Scorpio from 3:42PM to 5:03PM EDT.
Summary: Compared
to the week of 8/7/11, the week of 8/14 is relatively calm. We’ve passed the
intensity of the Grand Cross (see above/below) and the week leading up to the
Full Moon in Aquarius (surprises galore!). WED 8/17/11 may get your knickers in
a twist – so keep your cool (hydrate!) The week of 8/21 may bring some
bittersweet tastes into your life – season change is upon us (again) in more
ways than one and the need to regroup for the 4th quarter of the
year.
Quote of Note: “Don’t
take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” –
Elbert Hubbard
Planet Patterns and Cosmic Headlines:
** Mercury Retrograde (Rx) cycle - Mercury is still
Retrograde (can you tell?) and remains retrograde until 8/26/11, when it turns
Direct again @ 18 Leo. Mercury entered mutable, earth Virgo on
7/28/11. On 8/2/11 Mercury turned retrograde @ 1Virgo, and then slipped
back into the previous sign Leo, on 8/8/11. Mercury barely made it into
Virgo (1deg.) and then retreated back into the fiery, spirited, bold, fullness
of life, which is Leo. All the Mercury retrogrades this year (we’re at 2 of 3)
take place in fire signs, making the mind and thought bold, dramatic,
opinionated, and wanting to take action on those sizzling ideas. Fire Mercury
increases spiritedness and in Leo stubbornness and pride too. The fact that Mercury
reaches 1 deg. Virgo before it retrogrades and spends the majority of its Rx cycle
in Leo is a nod to Neptune, which spent just four months in Pisces @ 0 deg.
When Merc retrogrades it opposes that position and
explains, in part, the confusion of ideals and the twisted ways of dealing with
solving problems that embattled Congress and created universal anxiety in the
financial markets. This Rx is a harbinger to help us take a good look at how we
engage with others to repair broken functionality and the nature of compromise
itself. How do idealism and pride mix when basic functions are at stake? Does taking
a stand trump all other considerations? When must one yield and compromise and
when must one stand firm? These are lessons for all of us as we seek to manage
this complex Mercury retrograde. Finding the optimal functioning of the heart
is the esoteric message of this retrograde.
Venus enters mutable, earth Virgo on 8/21/11. Virgo,
being an Earth sign is always a sobering influence, and Venus moving into Virgo
brings with it practicality and a desire to organize on various life levels. We
need to plan now for the harvest of the summer crops (metaphorically too) and
the ideas that were buzzing and percolating while we were lounging at the beach
or lake and schmoozing with family and friends. Just hours before Venus moves
into Virgo it makes an opposition to Neptune, having just recently slipped back
into 29 Aquarius. This is bittersweet, and we may chance to trip along the path
of memories and turn wistful at dreams and ideals that have passed through our
lives, and how all those events and people have contributed to where we find
ourselves today. This run of Venus/Virgo can be a tonic of mending
relationships and expanding our network of new ones, as the most active aspects
to Venus during this time are flowing connections, mostly positive with Pluto/Capricorn
and Jupiter/Taurus. So, there’s relative harmony and cooperation as people are
mostly focused on repairing and trouble-shooting all those life’s loose ends.
And remember, Venus in Virgo likes to work and be productive – this is a good
signal for finding jobs and needing assistance for various projects and…possibly,
purging and paring down.
The Sun enters mutable, earthVirgo
on 8/23/11 until 9/23/11. Virgo means transition
and the process of gathering, sorting, filing and preparing for the next
season. Mercury, the ruler of Virgo, is still retrograde, which may mean that
we have more than our share of work to do and that some of it may have to be
repeated, or may not pass the quality control test. Take your time even though
you may be at deadline. It’s better to be late than to rush and have to start all
over again. Mercury turns Direct just a few days after the Sun enters Virgo, on
8/26/11. The Sun/Virgo makes a flowing, mostly positive connection to
Pluto/Capricorn on 8/28/11 and another flowing, mostly positive connection with
Jupiter/Taurus on 9/2/11. The Sun reinforces Venus already in Virgo and the
need for an appropriate work ethic, as the season changes.
Mars entered cardinal, water Cancer on 8/3/11 until
9/18/11. Mars stays in Cancer for six weeks and in that
time will form sequentially a grand cross by squaring or opposing the other
three planets in cardinal signs – first Uranus/Aries on 8/9, then
Pluto/Capricorn on 8/11, and we know the havoc that created in the world stock
markets! The last aspect in the grand trine sequence is Mars square
Saturn/Libra on 8/25/11. Saturn typically halts the action of Mars and can mean
delays and digging in – this aspect takes place just as Mercury is about to
turn Direct the following day, 8/26/11. It can indicate a difficult decision or
an inopportune set of circumstances, a stalling, a balking, or an inability to
compromise (so what else is new?)
Jupiter in fixed, earth Taurus turns Stationary
Retrograde @ 10deg. on 8/3011 until 12/25/11. Retrogrades
always imply a review. With Jupiter the review time takes us back to 6/4/11,
when Jupiter first entered Taurus. Jupiter supports expansion, risk, and a
feeling of possibility, learning, traveling and a desire for the finer things.
During the retrograde be sure to take the time to review the ideas and plans
you set in motion, or wanted to launch and refine, redirect, re-intention your
process. Jupiter in Taurus does not like to rush, so be sure to take your time
and also take your pleasure.
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 on 8/30/11(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 made its station retrograde and left 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 turned Retrograde on @ 0deg. on 6/3/11 – Neptune
returned 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.
We’ve only had four months of Neptune in
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.