Planet Weather for the Weeks of 1/24 & 1/31/10

 

NewsBits:  The Earth Shakes: Haiti – A human disaster of devastating, even mythic proportions took place on 1/12/10. The unimaginable suffering of the Haitian people is overwhelming to contemplate. It makes one grateful for what we have and that our basic needs are more than met. The astrological patterns tell the story. Haiti became independent from the French on January 1, 1804 @ 12 PM, Gonaives, HT (data from Book of World Horoscopes, Nicholas Campion).

 

Many astrological events converged to stimulate a disaster of such proportions and an earthquake of 7.0 in a country that lacked the infrastructure and building codes to withstand an earthquake of this magnitude.  First, the Sun of Haiti is 10 Capricorn, and the Lunar eclipse of 12/31/09, took place on that precise degree. The Solar eclipse of 1/15/10, due a few days after the earthquake was close to Haiti’s Venus @ 29 Capricorn. In fact, Haiti has a stellium (grouping of planets) spanning Capricorn and Pluto’s current position @ 3 Capricorn is exactly on Haiti’s Mars/Capricorn.

 

As if this is not enough, we are between the first two Saturn/Libra/Pluto/Cap squares (11/15/09 and 1/31/10), and each one is active on the tight square of Mars/Capricorn to Saturn/Libra in Haiti’s chart. Haiti is also receiving its Saturn return, a once every 28-29year event. The day after the earthquake, Saturn made a retrograde station @ 4Libra within one degree of Haiti’s Saturn. Mercury was retrograde in Capricorn and was also focused on Haiti’s grouping of Capricorn planets with its retrograde and direct station degrees.

 

If we progress the chart to the day of the earthquake, we find an exact conjunction of progressed Moon and Pluto in Pisces, which mimics and activates a Moon/Virgo opposite Pluto/Pisces in the birth chart of Haiti. Jupiter in the sky was in the last few degrees of Aquarius poised to change signs on 1/17/10, foreshadowing the Moon/Pluto energies (massive public agony and death), as it was heading for Haiti’s Pluto/Pisces opposite Moon/Virgo. These are some of the most significant conditions that collectively manifested as the Haitian earthquake.

 

For the world, it offered the opportunity to be generous, compassionate, and understanding of the plight and intense suffering and pain of those who are so much less fortunate that any of us reading this newsletter. It offered the opportunity to realize that we are all connected and, on a spiritual level, must help each other in any way that we can. That is the legacy of Jupiter’s entry into Pisces, the last sign of the Zodiac, exact on 1/17/10 through 6/7/10, when it enters the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries, and re-enters Pisces again 9/9/10 through 1/23/11.

SkyWatch:  Moon phase for the week of 1/24: 1/30 -- The Moon reaches perfect fullness at 1:18 AM EST, at 10 degrees of Leo. This Full Moon is known in folk tradition as the Brass Monkey Moon, because the season can freeze the ears off said proverbial monkey (at least now it Hears No Evil!) Only kidding! This Full Moon is the first of 2010, and the second Full Moon after the Winter Solstice, known most vividly in Native American traditions as the Wolf Moon (seriously), presumably from this species' increased tendency to howl at it during this time of year -- perhaps understandably. Skywatching events of the week: 1/27 -- Mars makes His closest approach to Earth until 2014, coming within 62 million miles of us all, not nearly as close as it is possible for Mars to come (this is roughly 35 million miles distant give or take, which occurred in the summer of 2003). Since this is a "full" Mars (planets undergo phases just like the Moon), it is exactly opposite the Sun in the sky, and so rises just after sunset, culminating near the zenith around midnight like a bright speck of rust on midwinter's iron sky.

Moon phase for the week of 1/31: 2/5 -- The Moon enters Her Last (aka Third) Quarter at 6:48 PM EST, at 17 degrees of Scorpio. Astrologically, the Moon is said to be in Her fall in Scorpio because this sign is opposite Taurus, the sign of Her exaltation. Skywatching events of the week: 2/2 -- The Waning Moon makes a close pass by Saturn. Their point of closest approach occurs after both have set for US observers. But the two will rise still close together around mid-evening, with Saturn slightly above, leading the Moon into the night sky.

Space news and weather: Nameless comet meets fiery death! A so-called sun-grazing comet grazed the Sun just a bit too closely. The comet was discovered and photographed plunging to its fate like a self-destructive celebrity by the STEREO orbital solar observatory. (SkyWatch supposes it could be called "Comet Stereo" if the name didn't suggest a brand of loudspeaker.) A solar flare is also flaring up, producing strong bursts of radiation, although these are not expected to cause power outages as can sometimes happen with very powerful flares, discharging extremely intense streams of charged particles that wreak havoc with earthly communications and power grids. 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 1/24/10 – 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. On 1/24/10, the Moon is VOC/Taurus from 10:03PM to 6:11AM EST (next day!) – On 1/27/10, the Moon is VOC/Gemini from 1:33AM to 9:01AM EST – On 1/28/10, the Moon is VOC/Cancer from 11:48PM to 9:10AM EST Next day!)

 

Week of 1/31/10 – Sunday, Tuesday 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 1/31/10, the Moon is VOC/Leo from 1:27AM to 8:23AM EST – On 2/1/10, the Moon is VOC/Virgo from 11:17PM to 8:42AM EST (next day!) – On 2/4/10, the Moon is VOC/Libra from 4:28AM to 11:55AM EST – On 2/6/10, the Moon is VOC/Scorpio from 11:12AM to 7:03PM EST.

 

 Planet Patterns & Cosmic Headlines for the next few weeks:

 

Summary: This week certainly doesn’t have the dynamic tension of the last two weeks, but we are exhausted nevertheless from the burdens of the soul we have carried, as we experience various degrees of helplessness for the suffering of others.

 

Venus in fixed, air Aquarius opposite (180deg.) Mars Rx in fixed, fire Leo @ 10deg. on 1/27/10. Mars has been in Leo either direct or retrograde since 10/17/09, and now Venus seduces her mythological lover and stimulates him to act…with passion, of course. This dynamic opposition is the loving dance of Shiva with his consort. So, get ready for some dynamic tension in your relationships. This must be expressed and as they say, it’s better to make love than war. But…this energy can operate either way. You get to choose your individual expression of this dynamic tension, but the world stage may play it out in a more aggressive/combative way.

 

The Sun/Aquarius opposite Mars Leo Rx @ 9deg. on 1/29/10. Here comes another opposition with Mars Rx, this time from the Sun and both happening just days before a Full Moon, also in Leo! Someone is going to get pissed off, that’s for sure – because they’re not getting what they want. This opposition wants to get moving…and feels motivated…but Mars is still Rx, so there is frustration in carrying out the program. Find some positive ways to channel these powerful creative energies. Immerse yourself in a project and find new ways to express yourself. Are you being authentic? Are you being yourself? Is your life fun? That is the message of this lengthy Mars/Leo cycle.

 

Saturn in cardinal, air Libra Rx square (90deg.) Pluto in cardinal, earth Capricorn @ 4deg. on 1/31/10. This is the second of three squares between these two planets that describe systems that are entrenched or long-standing habits. We could say this also represents a log-jam, a serious pause in the system until the jam gets loosened. This combination also represents resistance to new patterns and tends to be conservative, including political opposition to gun control. The challenge with this aspect is to find the way to shift into greater integrity, even if that means letting something go that has been part of your life for a long time.

 

**Mercury/Capricorn turned Stationary Direct @ 5deg. on 1/15/10. Mercury in Capricorn can lean toward seriousness, even negativity – and important issues may seem difficult to resolve; but with patience, prioritizing, and planning, solutions will be found. Capricorn may have difficulty in bending and choosing a solution that is different from what was originally conceived. It simply means that more careful communication is needed. Mercury passes its “shadow point” of 21deg. (degree at which it went retrograde on 12/26/09) on 2/3/10. After that, we are in new-thinking territory, and the main issue that arose for you during the retrograde is being integrated and hopefully has some resolution.

 

Currently Active Paradigm-Shift Patterns:

 

**Mars/Leo Stationary Retrograde (Rx) @ 19deg. on 12/20/09, and retrograde 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 simply to remember that things will go slowly during the retrograde and there is likely to be frustration if you push to move something brand new 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, and ill-conceived, and will, at the very least, encounter lengthy delays or experience detours (which could bring you to some interesting adventures and concepts not entertained previously) before they actually become what they set out to be or do. The bottom line is that where you think you are going, well -- you may end up elsewhere.

 

Jupiter entered mutable, water Pisces on 1/17/10 (until 6/6/10 and then again on 9/9/10). Jupiter moves swiftly into and through Pisces, without stopping for a breath and heads right into fiery Aries to 3 degrees before it stops and makes its first retrograde station on 7/23/10 – whew!

Jupiter changes signs annually. Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces (before Neptune was discovered). The expansion characteristic of Jupiter applies to the network of life itself and the fact that somehow we are all interconnected – the concept of the living, breathing sea of humanity. We are all in the same boat and all in our own way are searching for meaning. What does it all mean? – This will be a question that occurs more frequently with Jupiter traveling through Pisces. Although possessing a strong spiritual and idealistic component and the urge to seek or undertake a vision-quest, this same energy can lead to confusion and deception – whether self-deception or through others. Jupiter in Pisces plays on human nature’s desire to believe in something good, something bigger, and better than oneself – whatever that may be. In that sense, it is also connected to glamour, the arts, and all that serves to inspire, beguile, or seduce us away from the harsh realities of the mundane. In that vein – drugs, alcohol, and other dissipating adventures also beckon. Do seek inspiration during this time of the sort that does not destroy body or soul but instead uplifts and offers compassionate understanding to the plights of being human we all must endure. Find a way to give back or to volunteer to make something better for someone or something through your own benevolence.

 

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 than in other signs, 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.

 

 

 

 

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