Planet Weather for the Week of October 18&25, 2009

NewsBits: Boy and Balloon Drama! A perfect, if somewhat benign in the end, scenario and description of Jupiter in Aquarius surging forward, Station Direct – was the story of the runaway balloon, shaped like a UFO or “flying saucer”. A slightly zany, counterculture family, the father a scientist who chases storms, and an accidentally launched balloon, with, it was thought, that a six-year-old boy, appropriately named Falcon was aboard soaring through the skies. The country and the news media were mesmerized for several hours as emergency teams tried to figure out how to bring the balloon down and save the child. No-one knew that the child was hiding and napping above the garage in his own home. Jupiter events are often much ado about nothing. It’s Jupiter’s nature to exaggerate, to sometimes blow things out of proportion, to embellish and otherwise be grandiose or simply blow hot air! This particular runaway balloon story sent law enforcement and various rescue units on a wild goose chase, which angered people and created, as it turned out, unnecessary expense. Now there’s an investigation as to whether the balloon was launched deliberately as a publicity stunt.

Symbolically the balloon story is perfectly expressed by Jupiter in an air sign (traveling and expanding influence through wide open spaces) and in Aquarius (something that is unusual or non-mainstream, an accident). What we might derive from the story is how the media brings us these stories immediately and involves us with blow by blow coverage and commentary. There are no small stories once the media picks it up – they all become enlarged, however small they were to begin with, and endless commentary by all sorts of experts and talking heads weigh in with their opinions. And that, dear friends, is our modern world that we live in.

HealthCare: We might also say that Jupiter in Aquarius brought us the first phase of universal (Aquarius) health care in this country, with a bill passed by Congress this week. Aquarius also represents humanitarianism and advanced systems, focused toward relieving US citizens of the burden of excessive health costs hanging over their heads along with the fear of being wiped out financially if and when they fall ill. Jupiter/Aquarius contributes to the healthcare movement, along with the background paradigm-shift series of aspects Saturn/Virgo opposite Uranus/Pisces, that we’ve been discussing for months (see below).

SkyWatch: Moon phases for the next two weeks: 10/18 -- The Moon enters Her New cycle at 1:33 AM EDT, at 24 degrees of Libra. 10/25 -- The Moon enters Her First Quarter phase at 8:24 PM EDT, at 2 degrees of Aquarius. Skywatching events for the next two weeks: 10/21 -- The Waxing Crescent Moon passes close to the bright astrological "Royal star" Antares. As viewed from parts of Europe, this will be an occultation in which the Moon passes directly in front of the star, causing it to appear to "wink out" and then wink back on a while later. 10/27 -- The First Quarter Moon makes a close pass by Jupiter. Their point of closest approach as viewed from the US East Coast occurs just after the two have set around midnight. For points much farther West, the Moon's passage to within a few degrees of Jupiter will occur just before both set together in the West. Space news: a NASA interstellar boundary probe called IBEX has just discovered what scientists are calling a "ribbon" of denser atoms surrounding our Solar System at about 9 billion miles out. It seems to be a formation caused by the structure of the Solar Systems magnetic field, although scientists are not sure exactly of the cause. Anyway, it has them all excited and wondering even while the rest of us are wondering what all the excitement is about! 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 10/18/09 – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday are the most active or important days energetically – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with other or projects, and stimulation for producing results.

 On 10/18/09, the Moon is VOC/Libra from 1:33AM to 10:23AM EDT – On 10/20/09, the Moon is VOC/Scorpio from 2:57PM to 4:49PM EDT – On 10/23/09, the Moon is VOC/Sagittarius from 2:39AM to 2:39AM EDT.

Week of 10/25/09 – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday are the most active or important days energetically – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with other or projects, and stimulation for producing results.

On 10/25/09, the Moon is VOC/Capricorn from 2:15PM to 3:08PM EDT – On 10/28/09, the Moon is VOC/Aquarius from 3:22AM to 3:45AM EDT – On 10/30/09, the Moon is VOC/Pisces from 12:56AM to 1:56PM EDT.

 

 Planet Patterns & Cosmic Headlines for the next few weeks:

 

Summary: This first week – very creative thinking as Mercury makes some powerful and positive connections with first Jupiter and then Neptune. In the following week we’ll experience a major planetary sign change – Saturn moving into Libra. The main message is to find the right balance in all things.

 

The Sun enters fixed, water, Scorpio on 10/23/09 until 11/21/09. As the Sun enters Scorpio, we are asked to search within and ponder the politics of our own internal experience that makes up the life we live each day. Scorpio’s nature is analytical, probing, and willing to solve solve problems. This same energy can also become mired in obsessive, compulsive, and addictive impulses due the pleasure it receives from repeating patterns. In its delving into itself, Scorpio can reinvent itself to meet the demands of the times. It has tremendous resources at its disposal.

 

Mercury enters Scorpio on 10/28/09 until 11/15/09. Processing is the word with several planets in Scorpio. Go to the source or the root of the issue and you will be on the way to making necessary change – maybe! Scorpio’s biggest lesson is to let go of whatever is becoming poisonous to its system. You are likely to have some deep and even intense conversations during this time, since Scorpio is really not interested in fluff or staying on the surface of life.

 

Sun/Scorpio square (90deg.) Mars in fixed, fire Leo @ 6deg. on 10/29/09. Speaking of intense conversations and possibly confrontations – the Sun meets Mars, and the two have a stand-off. Both are strong and opinionated signs and not easily willing to back down. This is good for debate but takes a bit of work to reach consensus, since opinions are typically tinged with lots of emotion or heavily invested in ego or pride. On the other hand, this aspect is excellent for ferreting out some creative energies and urges to express oneself.

 

Saturn enters cardinal, air Libra on 10/29/09. The full cycle lasts until 10/6/12. Saturn retrogrades back into the last three degrees of the previous sign, Virgo, from 4/8/10-7/22/10. We’ve discussed Saturn’s entry into Libra in previous newsletters, and now it is upon us. What can we expect? Possibly not much until the energy starts to merge with the collective. But let’s discuss the greater implications of a new 2.5-year Saturn-sign cycle. Saturn is exalted in Libra. It means there’s more of a commitment to 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 those Libra Sun, Moon, or Ascendants will be put to the test.

 

Currently Active Paradigm-Shift Patterns:

 

Saturn in mutable, earth Virgo opposite (180 deg. angle) Uranus in mutable, water Pisces, Part 3 of 5 was exact on 9/15/09 @ 24degrees. This lengthy (background cultural shift) cycle began on 11/4/08. Technically, it ends in July 2010. This powerful five-part confrontation between the past (Saturn) and the future (Uranus) is disintegrative, after tension and struggle between the old pattern and the new consciousness that wants to arise. As you’ve noted in the news and surely also in your own lives, it’s not an easy transition. It is a powerfully challenging series of cosmic combinations. The sign pair, Virgo/Pisces, I call the functional axis – meaning that if this place in the chart (yours or a country’s) has a problem, the whole system has a problem. Virgo/Pisces is the health of the body and soul – one’s work and the meaning (or not) attached to your work or career. Or, put another way, this pairing symbolizes the mundane and the spiritual (soul) aspects of life. These two parts must find a balance or else there is stress and tension. The most obvious example in the news is the overhaul of US healthcare. It’s also about the accumulation of little things, the endless irritations that pile up and eventually break the smooth functioning of a system. Part Two of this combination took place on 2/5/09 @ 20 deg. The first four oppositions between these two planets take place in the signs Virgo/Pisces, and the last one in the sign pair Aries/Libra. Part 4 is due on 4/27/10.

 

*Jupiter in fixed air Aquarius conjoined (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 hovering very close to each other by degree, and still working in the background of social consciousness. 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 @ 24degrees. 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 kind was in 1919-1920, marking the end of World War I. 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. It also speaks to false hopes and pet illusions that we must understand with greater internal or soul wisdom. Expect some amazing synchronicity to appear in your life. Be aware of all meetings with others, events and involvements, and what these may evoke in you, and if these meetings and events support the purpose and/or direction and overall dream or purpose you hold for your life. This combination is inspiring, creative and spiritual and also serves to dispel illusions.