Planet Weather for the Weeks of December 13 & December 20, 2009

NewsBits:  Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright! We’re used to having Tiger Woods in the news. For years we’ve watched as he’s won and surpassed existing records and stands as one of the world’s best golfers. Now, the news is all about his previously hidden secret sex life with a string of different women. PW is not making judgments about morals but we are interested in the astrology of Tiger’s double life. Tiger Woods was born Eldrick Tont Woods on 12/30/75 @ 10:50PM, Long Beach, CA. He married Swedish model, Elin on 10/5/04 and they have two young children.

Tiger is a Sun/Capricorn and Moon/Sagittarius personality. The Capricorn side of him is a bit traditional, interested in achievement, and wants control over his life. The Moon/Sagittarius part of him is adventurous, risk-taking, fortunate, and prone to excessiveness and impulsiveness. His Mars/Gemini is opposite his Moon, which adds ignition/energy/action to the impulsive side of him. Mars is also retrograde in Gemini, at birth, and we find it interesting that his life has blown up just prior to the current Mars retrograde due on 12/20/09. A retrograde Mars certainly has some repressed energy, which can play out in various ways. Tiger’s Mars is also trine Pluto/Libra, and that is one of the parts of his chart that gives him his power and focus. Venus in Scorpio is another contributor to power and focus, and both the Mars and Venus conditions probably express a strong sexual need and desire component. Tiger was also born with Saturn/Leo, which is an impulse to prove oneself and one’s worth and often a feeling of lack of love. We know that his father placed him on TV at age two, playing golf. Tiger was a child prodigy and one can only guess at the pressures that may have placed on a young developing child.

His chart shows various and conflicting tensions (as most charts do) including a self-destructive side and probably pressures that have not been resolved resulting from a fast rise to fame. Tiger’s Jupiter in Aries is opposite Pluto/Libra, and this dynamic contributes to an easier way with influence, as well as the drive to initiate, and is highly competitive and often a bit selfish. As of this writing, Woods has taken a leave of absence from golf in an effort, he says, to save his marriage.

SkyWatch:  Moon phase for the week of 12/13: 12/16 -- The Moon enters her New cycle at 7:02 AM EST, at 24 degrees of Sagittarius. Skywatching events of the week: 12/13-14 -- The Geminid meteor shower puts on its annual Christmas Benefit from midnight to dawn, the year's most reliable meteor shower, especially with no Moon to interfere. (The Geminids are so-called because they appear to "radiate" from the constellation Gemini.) 12/15 -- The Waning Moon makes a close pass by Venus but both are too close to the Sun at this point to be readily visible, although you might give it a shot just before sunrise. 12/18 -- The New Crescent Moon makes a close pass by Mercury and this should be visible under good skywatching conditions (no city lights to the West). Look low to the West just after sunset. The slender crescent of the Moon will be several degrees above Mercury making Mercury easier to spot than usual as it sets nearly as far behind the Sun as it gets. Their actual point of closest approach occurs during the previous night when both are below the horizon. Mercury should also be visible the previous night after sunset with possibly a very thin sliver of Moon just below.

Moon phase for the week of 12/20: 12/24 -- A Christmas Eve First Quarter Moon will light Mr. Claus's frigid course through December skies! (Not maybe bright enough quite yet to give an aspect of midday to objects below but getting there.) The Moon enters her First Quarter phase at 12:36 PM EST, at 3 degrees of Aries. Skywatching events of the week: 12/20-21 -- The waxing Crescent Moon makes a close pass by Jupiter, starting below Jupiter on the earlier date for several hours after sunset, continuing past Jupiter after both have set, and moving above Jupiter the following night.

Space news: A company called Virgin Galactic unveiled a vehicle that it is dubbing "SpaceShipTwo", a spacecraft designed to take well-heeled thrill-seekers just to the edge of space (about 65 miles up) and back, with something like 5 minutes of sustained weightlessness. SpaceShipOne, if you recall, was the first privately built craft to reach the edge of space several years ago and win a $10 million prize for doing so. Hundreds of reservations are already lined up well in advance of when commercial flights are actually scheduled to begin, sometime in 2011, if test flights go well. With this enterprise in operation, commercial exploitation of space is poised to really, er, take off....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.

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Week of 12/13/09 – Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday are the most active or important days energetically – more Moon or planetary aspects for engagement with other or projects, and stimulation for producing results. Wednesday is the New Moon! On 12/13/09, the Moon is VOC/Scorpio from 8:18PM to 7:25AM EST (next day!) – On 12/16/09, the Moon is VOC/Sagittarius from 7:02AM to 5:32PM EST – On 12/18/09, the Moon is VOC/Capricorn from 3:07PM to 5:39AM EST (next day!)

 

Week of 12/20/09 – Sunday, Monday, 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. Sunday, Mars turns Retrograde, Monday is the Solstice, Friday, Venus enters Capricorn, Saturday, Mercury turns Retrograde. On 12/21/09, the Moon is VOC/Aquarius from 7:54AM to 6:42PM EST – On 12/24/09, the Moon is VOC/Pisces from 3:09AM to 6:39AM EST – On 12/26/09, the Moon is VOC/Aries from 6:44AM to 3:26PM EST.

 

 Planet Patterns & Cosmic Headlines for the next few weeks:

 

Summary: The next two weeks are filled with many important planetary changes to challenge us as we wrap up 2009 and move into 2010. Impulsiveness can be problematic. Be prepared before you forge ahead. Going slower is better with these conditions.

 

Sun in mutable, fire Sagittarius square (90deg.) Uranus in mutable, water Pisces @ 22deg. on 12/14/09. The Sun concerns our central fire, our core index, and in the mundane world it is reflected in the attitude of world leaders. In a square dynamic, consciousness (the Sun) is jolted (Uranus) by an insight, a revelation, an awareness not recognized in that way previously. We are asked to make adjustments in the face of something new. We may feel restless to advance in our own goals or to widen our influence and join new circles or groups. Our personal fire and the energies of our leaders continue to be stimulated by a sextile (60deg. aspect) from Jupiter in fixed, air Aquarius @ 22deg, also on 12/14/09, and the next day 12/15/09, by another sextile from Neptune/Aquarius @ 23deg. These are stimulating conditions and can serve up some wonderful ideas, so write them down, and work on them during the time of pulling-back that marks the end of December and into the New Year. Refine your plan and be patient.

 

Venus/Sagittarius trine (120deg.) Mars in fixed, fire Leo @ 19deg. on 12/17/09. Fire, fire everywhere. Can you see the fiery expressions in the news? Everyone has an opinion and there are a number of HOT topics being debated. We are reviewing behavior between the sexes ala the Tiger Woods story. We continue to debate the merits of the stimulus plan, the deficit, the economy, and unemployment; the two wars we are involved with, and of course, healthcare. Personally, this is an aspect of ardor, enthusiasm, courage, creativity, restless wanderlust, and demonstrative self-expression.

 

Venus/Sagittarius square Uranus/Pisces @22deg. on 12/19/09.  A few days later, Venus has a close encounter with Uranus. You’ll notice that between 12/14 and 12/26, the sky is exceptionally active. These sky events combine with much of the world’s holiday celebrations and probably will create an extra amount of anxiety for some people (although hopefully not for you!) Venus/Uranus aspects are ones of surprise, unexpected happenings, encounters with unusual, creative people, and a desire to break through some boundary or another in terms of values, attitudes, or associations.

 

**Mars/Leo Stationary Retrograde (Rx) @ 19deg. on 12/20/09 until 3/10/09. A Mars retrograde is a more potent planetary event than most, since it only takes place about every two years! Mars is a naturally progressive and forward-reaching energy and so, as one might expect, it does not enjoy going backwards. But don’t let that deter you from making plans for the future. You need to simply remember that things will go slowly during the retrograde and there is likely to be frustration if you push to move something ahead. This time is best used to plan, to refine, to redefine, reinterpret, or to polish your program or plan. Mars transiting Leo is a strong masculine position and a Rx could create frustrations for ego, pride, and will that can cause some serious upsets in the world. It’s best to attempt to soothe the fires and work with goodwill and heartfelt sincerity. Brand new ventures begun under a Mars Rx are typically premature, ill-conceived, and will, at the very least, encounter lengthy delays before they actually become what they set out to be or do.

 

*The Winter Solstice – The Sun enters Capricorn – The return of the Light on 12/21/09 @ 12:47PM EST. The Solstice is the earliest of celebrations (at this time of year), and the one Christmas was based on – the return of light or the renewal of consciousness. In Christianity, it is in part what the birth of Christ represented. Our rituals, with candles at these holidays – all this is a celebration of renewal and lighting the way through the darkness of human misunderstanding.

 

*Jupiter in fixed air Aquarius conjoins (0deg.) Neptune/Aquarius for the third and last time @ 26 deg. on 12/21/09 @ 24degrees. 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. 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.

 

The Sun/Capricorn conjunct (0deg.) Pluto/Capricorn @ 3deg. on 12/24/09. For the next 15 years, we’ll have the Sun conjuncting Pluto in Capricorn bringing us the message that we have to create order in the most fundamental ways of our daily life in home and marketplace.

 

Venus enters Capricorn on 12/25/09 until 1/18/10. Venus joins Pluto, Mercury, and the Sun also in Capricorn for a combination that will bring us into 2010. The message once again, in case you missed it, is conservation, circumspection, and stewardship of resources – all resources under your control. Relationship issues are sure to get more serious and questions of commitment will arise.

 

The Sun/Capricorn squares Saturn in cardinal, air Libra @ 4deg. on 12/25/09. The Sun, having met Pluto, now has to deal with the sobering reality of Saturn. Finding the bottom line will be important. Wade through the superfluous and find what is necessary and essential. Secure the essentials, and then you can focus on embellishments.

 

**Mercury/Capricorn turns Stationary Retrograde (Rx) @21deg. on 12/26/09 until 1/15/09.  Because Mercury turns Rx late in December, we will begin 2010 with both Mercury AND Mars retrograde. We have to go back before we can go forward, is the message. This Mercury means serious business and keeping things in order. Make a review of your life and use this time (January) to set your life in order.

 

Currently Active Paradigm-Shift Patterns:

 

Saturn in cardinal, air Libra square (90deg.) Pluto in cardinal, earth Capricorn @ 1deg. on 11/15/09. The first of three squares between these two planets. Saturn in a cardinal air sign is always more active and wants to experience movement or progress. In Libra, Saturn is focused on relationships in general, their equality, and how and what we value, how to engage. Clashes in relationships result when people place a different value on something they are experiencing together. As Saturn/Libra squares (prods or stimulates) Pluto/Capricorn (the collective energy) the demand is to get things done – to evaluate the importance of something in the overall balance of a productive lifestyle. Saturn and Pluto together are demanding, especially in cardinal signs, and often push the envelope big time. This is a time of critical mass, when something has reached a crisis point. Is that what’s happening in your life? Part 2 takes place on 2/1/10.

 

Saturn entered 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. What can we expect? Possibly not much until the energy starts to merge with the collective. But let’s speak to the greater implications of a new 2.5-year Saturn-sign cycle. Saturn is exalted in Libra. This so-called “essential dignity” 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, in particular, those with Libra Sun, Moon, or Ascendant will be put to the test. Saturn in a cardinal sign is much more proactive, and you may find that you seek order from recent chaos and productivity from prior stress and mess.

 

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.