Mars/Uranus – Mardi Gras in April

By Fran Rosen. Next Tuesday, April 14, Mars and Uranus will be at the same degree of Pisces. If you have planets in mutable signs (Pisces, Gemini, Virgo or Sag) around 24º, I suspect no one will have to tell you that there are fireworks in the air early to mid-week. Mars, the planet of sexuality, war, and aggression, and Uranus, the planet of rebellion and surprises, are joining energies in the sign of compassion, escapism, illusions, vulnerability and gullibility. Since both of these planets tend to act early, this energy may be felt anytime from now through Tuesday, with an increasing degree of intensity. Restlessness is the result of this combination of energies, and if you are conscious of the need to get out of a rut, you will find something out of the ordinary to do. If you fight the feeling, something out of the ordinary will come to you.

I have always associated Mars/Uranus with The Tower card of the Tarot deck. Also known as the “Lightening Struck Tower,” this card represents an event that shakes up your consciousness. Associated with hubris and being knocked off your false sense of superiority, the Tower card tells you that an attitude of arrogance may cause your downfall. Good examples of hubris leading to being struck by lightening and thrown down to the ground in disgrace are Richard Nixon and Bernie Madoff. Both of these men thought that they were so intelligent that their dirty tricks would never be found out. Richard Nixon was only a little luckier than Bernie Madoff – he didn’t spend the rest of his life in jail, but he was certainly disgraced.

Mars/Uranus may trigger a fun event such as going out with your friends unexpectedly and getting lucky. It may also trigger an event as frightening as your house exploding from a gas leak. During a period like this, it’s good to take stock of how stressed out and how trapped you’re feeling in your life. Do you feel like you want to escape from your life and run away to start all over again? Have you been walking around with ten years’ worth of accumulated gripes building up inside of you? Or are you someone that allows the urge for the new and unusual to take over your psyche occasionally so you can let off some steam and then go back to your daily life renewed and refreshed? Mars/Uranus is telling you that it’s a normal part of life to break the daily routine. When the opportunity arises for an unusual twist in your day, be spontaneous – but don’t think that you can take chances and be protected. This kind of energy will more likely than not cause you harm if you’re too reckless.

Saturn is in wide opposition to this wild and carefree energy, so for the most part, there should be some sense of caution during this timeframe. However, if you are already the rebellious type, don’t overreact and take dangerous chances just to be contrary. As I said above, this can be dangerous energy and caution is advised, especially around machinery, guns, explosives, and knives. Saturn also represents the structure in our life that we take for granted. Mars/Uranus may shatter that structure if it already has cracks in it.

As this conjunction is in a water sign, sudden emotional situations may arise forcing you to examine how you really feel. Some of us never know what we’re feeling until a loved one forces us to face our feelings in a crisis situation, or circumstances endanger someone we love. Anger and hurt may spark easily at this time.

Be spontaneous. Be aware. Allow new energy and new realizations to enter your life. This combination of energies can wake you up, take you out of your every day reality, and set you on a new path. Then again, it can just throw off your schedule. The choice is yours.

LET'S TALK PLUTO

When was the last time you were so mad at someone that you either wanted to physically inflict some pain on them or walk out of their life completely? Not all people encounter situations like this often, but some people live a good part of their life dissatisfied with the people that are close to them. For several weeks already and continuing into the middle of May, Venus is squaring Pluto in the sky. Conflicts in relationships and conflicts over values feel like two immovable forces playing tug of war. No matter who wins, both parties will end up flat on their back on the ground from the force of the encounter, unless entered into with some degree of consciousness. Since Pluto is an unconscious force, much of its influence will not be understood until time allows perspective, but we are able to comprehend that we are in the presence of a force over which we have no control.

The major lesson of Pluto is LET GO. Let go of your idea of how things should be. Let go of the idea that someone will change and act like you think they should because you are pushing them hard enough. Let go of being angry at the world because it’s not living up to your expectations. Let go of your obsession with someone who doesn’t care about you anymore. Turn your focus inward. If you want to change something, change yourself. If someone doesn’t make you happy, make yourself happy. If you’re bored and looking for excitement, avoid dangerous people and dangerous places. You will find what you’re looking for and it may kill you. Remember, YOU CREATE YOUR OWN REALITY. If you are honest with yourself, you can see the path that led you to the place you find yourself in now. Start focusing on what you want to change in your life, and watch changes begin to happen.

When you think of Pluto, think of the eons it takes for the pressure to build up inside of a volcano before it erupts and the massive damage it causes. The problem with a volcano is there’s no release valve for the pent up energy. That’s what happens when the stress of Pluto builds up inside a person. The ensuing eruption can wipe out relationships, jobs, or even life itself. Some of us find Pluto less of a challenge than others, but it is always a challenge. You will know that Pluto is telling you that it is time to change and time to release a situation when the pain becomes too intense – when the fact that you don’t want to stay in the situation any longer is in your consciousness and you can’t deny the reality of it. I’m not talking about walking off in a huff when things don’t go your way; I’m talking about experiencing so much pressure that the pain becomes unbearable. If you stay in that situation because you are afraid to leave it, it will leave you, or it will radically change so much you will not recognize it after the dust clears.

On the other hand, if you take the power that is offered to you from the universe and you use it for the highest good of which you can conceive, you will experience the positive transformative power of Pluto. The place of “knowing” in your body is your Solar Plexus Chakra, right above your naval. When someone tells you to follow your gut, that’s where the sensations are. You will know absolutely that you are doing the right thing by how this Chakra feels to you when wielding the power of Pluto. Pure, unadulterated power mongering comes out of your Root Chakra. If you move that Plutonian force up through your Chakras so that it activates your Crown Chakra, you will know if your motives are pure by how you feel at your Solar Plexus Chakra. We are always aware of whether motives are pure by our gut reaction, whether we admit that to others or not.

This striving for perfection is not a reason to beat ourselves up when we are unable to achieve it, but it is a goal to move toward, and Pluto is an instrument that burns out our impurities and impels us toward that goal. Sometimes that Plutonian energy will come to you through another person who forces you to face yourself, and sometimes that energy is something that you will find inherent within your own being, that will affect others in ways that are unexpected. The only thing that can be said for certain about Pluto is that you can’t ignore it, and you don’t walk away from it unchanged. You will know it when you meet it by the intensity of its power over you. It is one of the Gods and will not be ignored.

The Aries New Moon Square Pluto – No Pressure!

Lately, the planetary energies haven’t been giving us just little doses of energy -- they’ve been giving us a veritable feast of one energy at a time. First, we had most of the planetary energy coming through Aquarius, then a lot of that energy moved into Pisces, and now, with the New Moon on March 26, we’re getting a charge of Aries energy. Mercury, Sun, Moon and Venus will all be clustered close together in early degrees of Aries, encouraging all of us to get out of our Piscean dreams and take some action to make those dreams manifest. The problem is, Pluto is out there squaring all of those early Aries planets, forcing us to push hard against forces that want us to change our course. If you aren’t flexible and willing to compromise, and at the same time focused and determined, this springtime Aries energy of rebirth and new beginnings will just wither into stubbornness when the Sun moves into Taurus.

For Aries, this new moon is about focusing on yourself, which you should be pretty good at already. Pay attention to what your physical body is telling you, and find ways to relieve the pressure you may feel from authority figures or from being in the public eye. Spend time with your friends and take some deep breaths before you react when someone tries to push your buttons.

Taurus, enjoy the solitude this month. You’ve been busy and now’s the time to withdraw and be alone with yourself whenever you can manage it. This isn’t a great month for traveling, but you could have some “ah ha” moments if you take the time to think about the more profound side of life. You may feel some of your friends aren’t being completely truthful with you, but don’t be too hard on them.

This is a busy social month for Gemini, with a lot of energy being expended for group endeavors. Sexual intrigue could cause problems with friends, and be careful about anyone putting pressure on you to finance something you don’t believe in. In about a week, work pressures may cause some stress at home, but you need to persevere and finish the job you started.

Cancer, you will be feeling pressure from both career and partner this month. Relieve some of that stressful energy by entertaining at home for Easter or Passover, or just for the heck of it. That will give you and your partner some quality time to spend together, which is important to making you feel secure and comfortable in your life. Traveling may bring delays or just be too much work. If you’re going away in the next week or two, organize yourself and don’t leave things to chance.

This is an excellent time for Leo to take a spur of the moment trip, although don’t overwhelm yourself with controlling every detail of what you do or where you go. Be careful about investments and buying and selling on the stock market this month. You may be too impulsive and there may be issues that you won’t be aware of until it’s too late.

Virgo will find this month very intense, with power struggles seemingly coming out of nowhere. You may find yourself in sexual situations that are unplanned. Be cautious about too much partying because you could find yourself in a situation where you are being coerced sexually. Partnerships continue to be unpredictable, and you may feel that your partner is being untruthful. I believe it’s less about them being untruthful than them being confused about what they want.

The focus is primarily on your relationships this month, Libra. If you’ve felt lonely lately, you can rest assured you and your partner will be busy this month. Attempt to be unemotional about the pressure from your extended family as there may be expectations put on you that cause resentment. Take care of what you need to do, but don’t buy into the guilt. Work will be busy, but you may feel as if you’re just going around in circles and not getting anything done.

Scorpio will be focused on new projects at work or on health issues related to infections. Attempt to keep your obsessions about what’s going on in those areas down to a minimum because you may mentally dwell on matters until you lose the ability to have any perspective. Go out and have some fun and get your mind off things. A night at a casino or with friends having a few drinks will do a lot to take some of the pressure off.

This is a great month for allowing creativity in your life, Sagittarius. It’s also a good month to go out and have a good time, go to the theater or find a new love. Your value system is going through a major transformation, and you may find that the things that you used to value don’t feel authentic anymore. However, you won’t find out what you will value in the future unless you go out there and try some new things. It may be that what you truly value doesn’t change, but only your perspective.

Capricorn needs to spend some time with family this month, or work on projects around the home. If the money isn’t there for a major project, all those small ones will at least make you feel as if you’re accomplishing something. You may resist the changes your family wants to make and assert yourself as the boss, but all that will do is cause yourself too much stress. You have just started a long period of learning about how to handle power, so pay attention to what happens when you wield it selfishly. It’s better to start learning the lessons of Pluto with the little things.

Aquarius has a busy month ahead of him. Much coming and going, a lot of driving, a lot of communication, and a lot of time spent with siblings and neighbors. Unresolved issues with siblings could cause pressure, and you should be aware of how you are projecting your disapproval if a sibling is doing something that you feel is stupid. Siblings could bring up unresolved issues which you’ve buried in your subconscious, which could cause a volcano to erupt out of what appears to be nowhere. Be cautious about spending money this month as you could spend a lot more than you anticipated without realizing it.

Pisces is feeling acquisitive this month. Spend some money on yourself -- just try to put the brakes on it because you could make too many impulsive purchases. There could be tension involving groups you belong to, with pressure being put on you to conform. You could also be coerced into helping out a group or organization because they know how to take advantage of your giving nature. You have the energy this month to stand up for yourself, but try to be forthright about it. The tendency will be to disappear and avoid confronting the situation.

The next new moon is April 24 in Taurus, with a nice trine to Pluto. While anger and loss of patience will color this month, next month will be much more placid. Enjoy the Aries energy. It’s the new energy of spring, and we are all feeling the relief at the end of winter.

Natasha Richardson

Natasha Richardson, born May 11, 1963 in London, died today from a ski accident in Canada after a head injury she suffered on a beginner’s slope. Natasha was a Taurus with a Sagittarius Moon and Libra rising. Her Sun in Taurus was part of what is called a Fixed Grand Cross, which is a configuration where four planets are all 90º apart, and they included her Sun in Taurus, Mars in Leo, Neptune in Scorpio and Saturn in Aquarius. The Grand Cross gave her a very strong will, but it also made it difficult for her to change unless it was her own idea.

Yesterday, I saw a special about volcanoes on The History Channel, and what happened to Natasha can be likened to a volcano erupting. Transiting Mars, one of the planets making up this fixed energy in her chart, transited to an opposition to Uranus, and that combination of energies is an explosive, unpredictable energy. At the same time, transiting Pluto in Capricorn, the planet that rules Scorpio and death, made a hard aspect to her progressed Mars in Libra. In addition to these aspects, there were also other stressful aspects involved in her death, one of which was the ongoing Saturn/Uranus opposition which has been forming a t-square to her Moon for months. Uranus had recently moved to an exact square to her Moon, adding to the accumulation of tension going on in her life.

From looking at her chart, it was clear that she was at a point in her life where she needed to make some kind of a major change and her resistance to that need to change caused a great deal of energy to build up inside of her. In her case, because she didn’t find a release and an outlet for that energy, when it erupted, it caused an accident that subsequently killed her. I think the image of a volcanic eruption is a fitting description for the violent energies that entered Natasha’s life yesterday.

As an aside, Venus in Aries, which is now retrograde, ruled Natasha’s first house of her physical body and her eighth house of death, and it was transiting in exact opposition to her first house cusp (her ascendant) at the time of the accident. Aries rules the head.

She was a gifted actress, well loved by her husband Liam Neeson, family, friends and fans, and she will be greatly missed.

Moon Magick Part II

Aleister Crowley defined Magick as “the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will,” or, as modified by The Llewellyn Encyclopedia and Glossary, “Magick is the science and art of causing change (in consciousness) to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science.” Before your Will can be effective, it must have something to focus on, some desire or need. All desire and conscious need begins with thought, and from thought, the idea must move to visualization. Without visualization to motivate the Will, there is no manifestation, and this visualization takes place on the Astral Plane (Yesod on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life) which is ruled by the Moon.

Each month, the New Moon is in a different sign of the zodiac, but the Moon’s monthly cycle in relation to the Sun repeats the same eight phases. Based on the work of Dane Rudhyar, Robert “Buz” Myers and Demetra George, I want to talk about those phases and how to use the energy of each phase to your own personal advantage.

We all have needs and desires that change as time goes by. If you look back over your life, you will find that many of the things you wanted the most you managed to materialize. Understanding and working with the Moon’s cycle every month can add power to your ability to manifest what you want by tapping into complementary energies.

Get to know these phases, which are easy enough to follow if you have a calendar that indicates the New and Full Moons:

1. New Moon Phase (New Moon to 3½ days following New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 0 to 45 degrees; related to 0 Aries to 15 Taurus) (Direction: East) (Elements: Fire and Earth) This phase is very emotional and subjective. Now is the time to take new action and set a goal in line with your innermost needs and desires. Visualize a seed germinating underground. Keywords: beginning, birth, emergence, projection, clarity.

2. Crescent Phase (3½ to 7 days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 45 to 90 degrees; related to 15 Taurus to 30 Gemini) (Direction: Southeast) (Elements: Earth and Air) Here you must use determined self-assertiveness to overcome obstacles to your goal, and keep your faith in following the path you have set. Visualize the shoot of a plant breaking through the soil. Keywords: expansion, growth, struggle, illumination, and opportunity leading to action.

3. First Quarter Phase (7 to 10½ days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 90 to 135 degrees; related to 0 Cancer to 15 Leo) (Direction: South) (Elements: Water and Fire) After overcoming obstacles at the Crescent phase, your strong will and organizing ability can be used to express your individual needs and desires. Here there is instinctive rebellion against social restraints and the ability to make your own decisions. The key to this phase is staying in a positive frame of mind. Visualize a plant in a growth spurt, developing roots, stems and leaves. Keywords: action, expression, and growth leading to self-trust.

4. Gibbous Phase (10½ to 15 days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 135 to 180 degrees; related to 15 Leo to 30 Virgo) (Direction: Southwest) (Elements: Fire and Earth) This point represents the movement from activity to receptivity and the need to trust that what you desire is moving toward manifestation. You may experience a yearning for more light to be shed on the path to your goal. Visualize the budding of a plant with all the promise of those buds. Keywords: analyze, prepare, trust, and love leading to new experience.

5. Full Moon Phase (15 to 18½ days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 180 to 225 degrees; related to 0 Libra to 15 Scorpio) (Direction: West) (Elements: Air and Water) At the Full phase, you will have the greatest mental objectivity. The illumination you were seeking at the Gibbous Phase is possible now, and you will have clear vision about all that has taken place since the beginning of the cycle and understand what adjustments need to be made. Visualize flowers opening and turning toward the light. Keywords: fulfillment, illumination, realization, and experience leading to introspection.

6. Disseminating Phase (18½ to 22 days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 225 to 270 degrees; related to 15 Scorpio to 30 Sagittarius) (Direction: Northwest) (Elements: Water and Fire) The needed adjustments you glimpsed at the Full Moon can be made now to keep the accomplishment of your goal on track. Communication is key here -- you will have the opportunity to share with others what you have learned through your awareness of the cycle, and you may fight for what you desire and for what you deem is right. Visualize the plant giving forth its fruit to feed others. Keywords: demonstration, distribution, sharing, and introspection leading to strength.

7. Third Quarter Phase (22 to 25½ days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 270 to 315 degrees; related to 0 Capricorn to 15 Aquarius) (Direction: North) (Elements: Earth and Air) Here you will become aware of what is not working and realign your goals, sometimes forcing issues and creating a crisis. Now is the time to reorient yourself toward new creative potentials. Whatever is no longer functional will be torn down. Visualize the plant after the harvest, the remaining fruit decomposing and drawing its energy inward for the next cycle. Keywords: realignment, revision, cleansing, and renewal leading to purity.

8. Balsamic Phase (25½ to 30 days after a New Moon) (Soli-Lunar Arc 315 to 360 degrees; related to 15 Aquarius to 30 Pisces) (Direction: Northeast) (Elements: Air and Water) At this Phase, if we haven’t achieved our goal, we let go of what hasn’t worked and transform our vision into a new seed that can be planted again at the New Moon. Resolution of past issues is possible now. Visualize the seeds from the decomposed fruit falling to the ground, waiting for re-germination in the next cycle. Keywords: release, transformation, transition, and purity leading to new clarity.

Each month, you have an opportunity to take advantage of each of these phases, and for extraordinary oomph to your workings, you can wait until the moon phase you wish to use is also in a sign compatible with your desire – Taurus for money, Sag for travel, Leo for creativity, etc., etc. Have fun with it, and not only will you start manifesting your heart’s desires, but you’ll also learn a little Astrology!

Moon Magick (Part 1)

XXXII. To Selene
(ll. 1-13) “And next, sweet voiced Muses, daughters of Zeus, well-skilled in song, tell of the long-winged Moon. From her immortal head a radiance is shown from heaven and embraces earth; and great is the beauty that ariseth from her shining light. The air, unlit before, glows with the light of her golden crown, and her rays beam clear, whensoever bright Selene having bathed her lovely body in the waters of Ocean, and donned her far-gleaming, shining team, drives on her long-maned horses at full speed, at eventime in the mid-month: then her great orbit is full and then her beams shine brightest as she increases. So she is a sure token and a sign to mortal men.” Homeric Hymn to Selene, translated by Evelyn-White

Mother Moon. From the beginning of human life, we have lived by her rhythms. Each month, she ebbs and flows like the waters of the ocean and, like our emotions, her influence surges and subsides. Astrologers watch the cycles of the moon and predict events based on when she triggers sensitive points in the horoscope. Revered for her influence on magick, shamans and magicians have for eons watched her cycles and used her phases and placements in the signs to work their enchantments. As she travels through the 12 signs of the zodiac each month and completes her cycle around the earth in about 30 days, life changes flavors.

In this two-part article, I will take a look at our Moon and her influence on us, both by the sign she’s transiting and by looking at her eight phases. Today, I’ll be discussing her monthly circuit through the signs of the zodiac. If you don’t have an astrological calendar or other way to know which sign the Moon is in each day, I suggest going to the Cafe Astrology site at http://www.cafeastrology.com/monthlycalendar.html. Click on the link below the calendar for the Moon’s sign and planetary aspects for each day of that month.

When the Moon enters Aries, life speeds up. It increases our energy, and it is a good time to begin new projects and seek new avenues of expression. Take some time for yourself and attempt to be aware of your effect on those around you. This is also a fine time to exercise because you can feel energetic under Aries. Infections may flare up under this influence.

The Taurus Moon is a time of practicality. Aries begins new projects, but Taurus brings stability to them. Anything you don’t find practical will be discarded, and the rhythm of life slows down. Values are important during this 2-½ day period, and the need to be productive is the overriding drive. Taurus is also stubborn, so people will tend to stand their ground during this moon.

Gemini brings a lot of conversation and communication. If you’ve been putting off running a lot of errands, this is the time of month to get it over with. It’s also the time of month to respond to that list of e-mails staring at you that you keep putting off. Check in with the neighbors or contact your extended family. People are in the mood to communicate. Find a good book to read.

Home and those we consider family become the focus under the Cancer Moon. This is a productive time to do some housework or make a special dish that’s usually too much work. You may feel like sticking close to home and spending time with those you’re close with rather than seeking the company of strangers. Cancer retreats to the familiar for comfort.

Under the Leo Moon, find something creative to do. Leo needs to be appreciated, and one way to be appreciated is to put energy into a project that others can enjoy. This is also an excellent time to have some fun, and you may feel like doing a little gambling now. Tell someone how much you care and make a little love during this time.

Virgo is the hangover after the Leo party. All that work you put off the last couple of days is staring you in the face and you need to get it done. This is an excellent period for deciding what needs to be done around the house and clearing that pile of papers off your desk. Efficiency, analysis and discrimination are keywords for this lunar period. Health issues should be paid attention to now.

Relationships need some attention during the Libra transit, and not just your marriage or love partner. Libra is about compromise and creating harmony and balance. Find the middle ground, create a win-win situation and make any ongoing disagreement go away. This is also a nice time to get to know new people because you’ll be feeling sociable and will find others interesting.

Deep emotions are stirred during the Scorpio moon. Secrets come out and sexual urges may be strong. You won’t want any superficial relating now – you want to feel something and will seek out intense people or situations. Shared resources can also become a focus of attention now, so be careful of disagreements regarding money.

Restlessness is the key word under the Sagittarius moon, physical as well as mental. Seek out new ideas or someone to discuss your ideas with. Religion and philosophy may occupy your thoughts today. This is also a good time to start a trip, or plan one. Find something different to do. The downside to this energy is that you may get lost in what you’re doing and forget where you’re supposed to be or what you’re supposed to be doing.

Capricorn is about taking care of business. This is an excellent timeframe in which to start creating structure in your life and to work on the discipline you think you’re lacking. Virgo analyzes, but Capricorn actually gets down to the business of physically organizing things and people. Delegate responsibility by deciding what you must personally handle and what someone else can take care of, which is especially important for those of us who think if we don’t do it, it won’t get done.

Get out and interact with groups and organizations during the Aquarius moon. You will feel sociable in a detached way, and will find the company of others enjoyable. The need for a change is the keyword for this moon, which can easily slip into rebelliousness. Tackling computer issues will come easily now, and science fiction and fantasy can pass the time and ease the restlessness of your mind. You may find yourself exposed to those kinds of things now, even if they normally don’t interest you.

On Wednesday, February 25, the flavor of this month began with the New Moon in Pisces. When the Moon is in Pisces, life gets softer around the edges. This can also be a time when people tend to use their own personal means of escape to shut out the ills of the world, whether that is through an artistic pursuit, meditation, helping others or shutting out the world through the use of alcohol or drugs. This is a good time to visualize your dreams.

Next time, I will write about the eight phases of the Moon (rather than just the four you are probably used to) and discuss how you can consciously use each to your best advantage. Combining the meanings of the Moon in the signs and the Moon in her phases can be employed to manifest what you desire in your life, magickally!

Venus Retrograde in Aries: An Opportunity to Glimpse Your Shadow

(Titian. Venus Anadyomene. c.1520. Oil on canvas. National Gallery of Scotland (on loan from the Duke of Sutherland), Edinburgh, UK)

On March 7, 2009, at 15º of Aries, Venus will begin the retrograde portion of its trip around the Sun and will appear to be moving backward when viewed from Earth. This event occurs about once every 18 months and lasts for approximately 40 days. While retrograde, Venus makes what is called an “inferior conjunction” to the Sun. An inferior conjunction occurs when Venus and the Sun align at the same degree while Venus is closest to the Earth, and on March 27, the inferior conjunction occurs at 7º of Aries. According to Alexander Ruperti in Cycles of Becoming (1978, CRCS Publications, Davis, CA), from the time Venus first transits the degree of the inferior conjunction (February 12, 2009) until it goes direct and conjoins that degree again (April 10, 2009), everyone will all be working on lessons and awareness having to do with how we relate to others and what we value in life. From February 12 until March 7, you will be made aware of ways of relating that have been unconscious, how those unconscious attitudes have interfered with what you desire, and you will have an opportunity for reevaluation in those areas. People from your past may reappear, and current relationships will go through a period of adjustment. Personal values will also be examined and reevaluated. At the inferior conjunction on March 27 at 7º of Aries, a new cycle begins, and you will have an opportunity to strengthen your personal relationships and consciously pursue personal values that don’t involuntarily work against what you are trying to achieve. At the time of the next Sun and Venus superior conjunction, when these two planets meet while Venus is furthest from Earth, the opportunity will exist to assess whether you have been successful in your efforts. The next superior conjunction will occur on January 11, 2010 at 21º of Capricorn.

Venus, when in Aries, is in what astrologers call its “Detriment.” Venus is all about attraction, love, sexuality, beauty, love received from mother, and personal values. When it’s operating in your life, you may meet someone and feel an immediate affinity with him or her. You won’t have to be cool or be someone other than who you are -- you will both just genuinely like each other. Robert Hand (Horoscope Symbols, 1981, Para Research, Inc., Rockport, MA) compares Venus’ power of attraction to gravity or atoms bonding together to create molecules. In Aries, though, Venus is working through a sign that is very self-focused, spontaneous and with a short attention span, so an attraction to another while Venus is in Aries may be full of passion and then burn itself out quickly. People also feel restless when a planet is in Aries, always seeking something new to get into, making this placement not very conducive to the formation of lasting relationships. The urge to be able to do whatever you wish without answering to anyone else is an innate part of Aries energy. Venus is all about keeping the peace and give and take, causing Venus to be uncomfortable in this sign of the pioneer.

If you do meet someone new during this period, give the relationship some time before passing judgment on it. Sometimes people just show up because there’s a lesson you need to learn or an adventure you need to have, and then they disappear as quickly as they appeared. Until April 10, my advice is to just appreciate new relationships for what they are and don’t insist on any commitments, or make any yourself.

Prior to March 7, you have an opportunity to become conscious of what’s in your life that is a value thrust upon you rather than one coming from your heart. After the 7th, you will have a good opportunity to assert yourself and be clear about values that are not true to your own vision. We often value things because everyone else does or the people we care about do, but those values may trouble us on a deep level. The first part of this retrograde period, between February 12 and March 7, is the time when you need to come to grips with values that no longer work for you. As the Sun and Venus move on from the inferior conjunction on March 7, you should make your feelings known about these outdated values, even if you just bring your new values into your personal consciousness.

On April 3, before the conclusion of the Venus/Sun cycle on April 10, Venus and Pluto will be square to one another (90º apart) from the signs Aries to Capricorn. This is the second time this separating square has occurred between these planets, the first being on February 6. There is great stress between the need for personal self-expression and freedom in relationships (Venus in Aries) and the ongoing transformation of what has been taken for granted as the foundation of personal and collective material security and status (Pluto in Capricorn). Relationships founded on a deep bond of love, such that each can give the other space to be who they are, and which are not based solely on material security, will transform and grow stronger through this period. Relationships created around values that don’t include a basic bond of love may fail because the roots supporting them are not strong enough. This square will occur one more time on May 2, after Venus goes direct, and if your relationship is in the grips of crisis after April 3, you will still have an opportunity to communicate your needs and your values to your partner so that adjustments can be made before May 2. Pluto is the destroyer, and if you ignore the stress and the pain hoping that the crisis will pass, you may find yourself alone – Venus in Aries.

This retrograde cycle actually began when Venus crossed 7º of Aries, the degree of the inferior conjunction, on February 12. Between now and April 18, when, for the final time, Venus passes 15º of Aries, the degree of its station, pay attention to your relationships and pay attention to your values. You now have the opportunity to reach into your own depths and cast some light upon your shadow self.

Jupiter is Thinking Outside the Box This Year

Think big. Think optimistic. Think the sky’s the limit. That’s Jupiter, and all that expansive energy is being focused through the sign of Aquarius, the Water Bearer, for all of 2009. Thinking outside the box is a good way to describe the way Aquarius thinks, and with Jupiter in this sign, new solutions to our country’s problems will be pondered and many will be acted upon. The people, rather than corporations, are important now, as Jupiter has finished transiting Capricorn. The large corporate bailouts of the banks took place with Jupiter in Capricorn; now it’s time for the regular people to benefit from Jupiter in Aquarius’ non-discriminatory generosity.

Groups of people with similar interests are governed by Aquarius, and I believe this will be a year when forward thinking people band together for the specific purpose of making changes to the established order. This year, Uranus, the planet that rules Aquarius, is facing off with Saturn, the planet of the status quo (and will continue to do so on and off until 2011), and with the added emphasis of Jupiter passing through Aquarius, this is the year for new ideas to germinate and grow into new movements focused on humanitarian goals.

Jupiter is also the planet of organized religion. Look for established churches to try to become more in synch with modern attitudes, and for churches that are creative and appeal to the mind rather than the emotions to grow larger. Pagan groups, whose members tend to walk their own path with little regard for what they “should” believe, may also see an increate in interest this year, with people actually taking the step to join rather than just lurking in the shadows.

Higher education will be affected too, and I believe colleges and universities, which are very much in competition for students now that it is harder for parents to afford a college education, will create new progressive programs intended to interest the younger generation and draw more students to their campuses. It is now possible to get a degree in Astrology from a university, and interest in that subject should also be very strong this year.

Travel in general has slowed down because of the economy, but with Jupiter in Aquarius, those people who are traveling will want to do something off the beaten path. Educational adventures may see a lot of interest this year, particularly if the destination is somewhere new and fascinating.

Interest in UFOs will probably increase this year, particularly later in the year when Jupiter conjoins Neptune in December. This occurs right before Christmas, making me think that escapism will be a big part of the holiday season this year. Look for an increase in consumption of alcohol and perhaps false optimism leading to spending too much money on electronic gifts. The positive side to a Jupiter/Neptune conjunction is the ability to expand spiritually and for those seeking a peak experience through contact with a higher power, the weeks leading up to Christmas will be conducive to achieving that goal.

I am concerned that revolutionary radical fundamental groups could become dangerous in December with Mars stationing in Leo opposing the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction. My hope is that the conjunction causes them to be overoptimistic and that they miss their mark because of the confusion Neptune creates.

While Jupiter is in Aquarius this year, forward thinking is the key to expansion in the area of life where Jupiter is transiting your horoscope. The downside is being overly optimistic and taking on too much, so being positive mixed with a dose of practicality will allow growth and abundance to enter your life through friends, groups, and your hopes, wishes and dreams.

Pisces in 2009

“I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it.” Thomas Aquinas

Pisces, the final sign before the cycle begins again, is the mutable water sign of the zodiac. She is a being of feeling that is like the water that spills over a damn and fills all the cracks and crevices of the ground or the water that ripples and moves with the wind. All of the universal love of Aquarius is combined with emotional caring, creating the desire in Pisces to help people or animals who are in pain or in need. They are so sensitive that their emotional body changes with the emotional atmosphere of their environment. The greatest lesson for Pisces is to learn the discrimination of her opposite sign, Virgo, and be cautious about extending help so that she doesn’t lose herself in the process of rescuing others. Sometimes Pisces is so sensitive to the needs of others that she shuts down and isolates herself as a self-protective measure. It is important for her to learn at an early age to block out negativity from the people around her, which can make Pisces physically ill. There are several good books on the market about psychic self-defense, and it would be helpful for any Pisces who finds she is having problems when around negative people to learn some of those techniques. One technique for blocking the effects of negativity from others is to just place a piece of plastic wrap over the belly button area under your clothes. Another is to visualize your aura filled with white light, or to visualize yourself surrounded by mirrors and reflect the energy away from you. However, since knowingly causing others ill is bad for your karma, it would probably be best to visualize the negative energy returning to the earth rather than to the person who sent it, as most people who are radiating negative energy are unconscious of that fact. Some Pisces turn to alcohol or drugs to numb themselves to the emotional effects of the negativity around them, but the above techniques are cheaper and easier on the body.

Pisces, like the other mutable signs, now has to deal with the prolonged Saturn/Uranus opposition. People born from approximately March 5 to March 21 will feel this difficult aspect more intensely until Saturn finally leaves Virgo, and the seriousness it brings to Pisces’ lives will taper off at the end of October. For those being affected by the Saturn/Uranus opposition, life is a combination of restriction and rebellion. Duties and health problems can make life seem like it’s slowed down to a crawl with little or no laughter or joy. On the other hand, adding to the stress, situations that Pisces have taken for granted keep changing unexpectedly. Life will begin to lighten up at the end of October, but Uranus will continue to transit Pisces until 2011, moving back and forth between Aries and Pisces beginning this July. The best way to handle Uranian energy is to go with the flow and follow your heart. Pisces is the most psychic of all the signs and is at her best when she trusts herself. You have to realize that the changes are freeing you from stagnant situations and the harder you attempt to hold onto your old ways of doing things, the more stressed out you will become.

On March 16, Mars goes into Pisces until April 22, making a conjunction to Uranus on April 15. This will be a critical period for people born around March 15, with the potential for explosive or rebellious events (arguments, sudden separations from people or jobs, infections, or the sudden desire for freedom from humdrum routine). This conjunction will be felt by everyone in some way, but for Pisces, it will be more intense and more personal.

In the Tarot deck, The Moon is the card associated with Pisces. This card (in the Rider-Waite deck) contains a mysterious pool from which a crayfish is struggling, torn between staying in his comfortable environment or moving into unknown realms of dry land. Two wolves, symbols of instinct, guard the pool of our deepest emotions, and both are looking at the full moon above. Two towers are in the background, guarding the outside world from the unknown. This card is about allowing the mysterious into our lives, but not allowing it to take us over. The element Earth, with its every day duties and realities, and the element Water, the emotional life that we all have within us, join forces in this card, and it is the lesson of Pisces to ground deep emotion so that life isn’t a desert devoid of the profound connections people can only experience when they join together emotionally. To accomplish this, Pisces must move out of her place of comfort and act on her need to be compassionate without causing harm to herself. She is a creature of the water and her symbol is the Fishes, a symbol for the soul. Without emotional connection, the soul of each of us never experiences firsthand that it’s not alone, which, if we let her, is what Pisces will show us. The pool of Pisces’ compassion is limitless, but her ability to protect herself from the disillusionment wrought by those that prey on the feelings of others is not. If you are a Pisces, jump into that mysterious well of emotion and share it with those you love and trust. Your gift to others is through unconditional emotional love, and your lesson is to discriminate so that you do not lose yourself in the process.

Aquarius in 2009

“To achieve the mood of a warrior is not a simple matter. It is a revolution. To regard the lion and the water rats and our fellow men as equals is a magnificent act of a warrior's spirit. It takes power to do that.” Carlos Castaneda

Aquarius, the Water Bearer, is the last fixed sign, this time in Air. The opposite of Leo, Aquarius is about impersonal love as opposed to personal love – a trait that can be confused for being cold and detached. He has a great ability to focus his mind, and he is the first to believe that science fiction can become science fact. Always ahead of his time, he has a reputation for being revolutionary, eccentric and for loving new electronic “toys.” Aquarians have played a large role in my life – my dad was an Aquarian and two of my close friends were Aquarians, one of whom has already passed on. My experience with them was that they were always surrounded by many people – family, friends and acquaintances. My dad had a large family and made friends with everyone – waitresses, co-workers, everyone he had contact with, and he had a smile and a joke for each of them. At home, he wasn’t as jovial all the time, but he always had that warm Leo heart that all Aquarians carry within them. One of my two close Aquarian friends introduced me to the world of fantasy fiction, and he is smart, witty and can become part of any group of people he finds himself among. He has forged a career using his tremendous creative abilities and has attracted a following based on his good taste and style. He, and my dad, always dressed impeccably, both on the conservative side – showing Saturn’s continuing influence on this sign that has been assigned to Uranus in modern times. Another friend, a woman, who passed on about three years ago, lived on the fringes of society from the time she was young, knowing she was gay at a very young age. She never hid it, except perhaps when she was in the service. She also was an impeccable dresser. Her pants, even jeans, always had a precise crease down the center. She was very involved in politics and her vision of the world opened my eyes to possibilities that never occurred to me before we’d have one of our “discussions” about our opposing views on current events. She liked to drink and wherever she’d hang out, everyone was her friend and knew her by name. Even the people in the grocery store knew who she was. Both of these friends had the habit of periodically completely rearranging their home – moving furniture, rehanging pictures, cleaning out closets – without any warning. They needed a change and the easiest way was to move things around in their environment, which is a lot less stressful than actually leaving and living somewhere else. All three were sticklers for organization, another trait from Saturn, and all three were leaders. And none of them would ever get lost in the crowd.

Neptune has been influencing Aquarius since 1998 and will remain in that sign until 2012. Right now, it is affecting those born in the latter part of the sign. Unbridled idealism should be reigned in because if it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. Neptune dissolves the ego and that can leave Aquarius confused and disoriented, since this sign naturally has a large ego. Neptune also teaches us that there are higher powers at work in the universe, and this transit to those born in the latter part of Aquarius can get them in touch with a new world view. Creativity soars where Neptune touches the horoscope, allowing us to get in touch with visions of a higher vibration. Spiritual painters are in touch with Neptune when they create their mesmerizing artwork.

Jupiter, the expander, moved into Aquarius in January and will be in that sign almost the entire year, bringing good luck and protection to Aquarians. It can also bring weight gain, so if you are feeling frustrated, find someone to talk to instead of reaching for a bag of chips.

The other major planets, Saturn, Uranus and Pluto, are making somewhat stressful aspects to Aquarius – Saturn in Virgo is making an inconjunct (150º), and Uranus in Pisces and Pluto in Capricorn are making semi-sextiles (30º), creating tension between two completely different modes of being (inconjunct) and showing unnoticed opportunities between the two planets being aspected (semi-sextile).

The Star, the Tarot card associated with Aquarius, shows a naked woman pouring water out of two pitchers. One pitcher is pouring water onto the ground, the other into a pond. The water from the pitchers represents the balance of the conscious and unconscious mind, and the flow from the pitchers is the easy flow of creativity in Aquarius. Above her, seven small stars and one large star shine in the sky. The large star is the star of insight and healing. When this card appears, it is a beacon of hope, of brighter days to come, of uncontainable optimism. Aquarius contains within himself boundless reservoirs of creativity and intellect. Optimism and love for all of humanity and all living things is what sets Aquarius apart. When Aquarius loses touch with that part of him and becomes self-centered rather than community centered, he should send his mind soaring above the earth to that bright star and regain his perspective, spreading his love to Mother Earth and all who call her home.

Capricorn in 2009

"There are a number of mechanical devices that increase sexual arousal, particularly in women. Chief amongst these is the Mercedes-Benz 380L convertible." P.J. O'Rourke

Capricorn, the mountain goat, is a creature that clings to the rocks and climbs steep mountains in search of sustenance with surefootedness and a deep sense of purpose. The last cardinal sign, this time in earth, Capricorn creates wealth and status through her ability to organize, delegate and see the big picture. Being the opposite of Cancer, she knows that emotions are pleasant, but realizes that what is really needed to ensure longevity in business and personal realms is a relationship based on tangible matters, such as owning a house or owning a business together, or even creating a situation where the partner is dependent on her financially. Capricorn is not a loner, she figures out what she needs to get the job done and finds the people who can help her. Her key words are “I use,” which can mean she literally uses people to further her own ends, or, on the other hand, that she understands how to take the available resources and use them to create her vision. She handles responsibility well and it is said that Capricorns get younger as they get older because they are serious as children and learn to lighten up with age. My experience over the years with groups and organizations is that often the women or men who lead organizations and keeping them running smoothly are people whose charts contain a mixture of Leo and Capricorn. The Leo part likes to be center stage and the Capricorn part keeps everything organized, running smoothly, and solvent. Unlike Virgo, who organizes in the service of others, Capricorn organizes those that work for her and delegates work effectively. She understands the limitations of others and, as a mentor, will help people to move past their fears and will teach them to move up the ladder of success. The problem some Capricorns run into is working too much and not spending enough time with family, or marrying someone for status and realizing too late that her marriage is just an empty shell. Family is important to Capricorn, and those that have learned to balance work and home will give their family financial security and protective love.

As I have said before, Pluto has moved into Capricorn for the next 14 years initiating deep seated changes for planets in the cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn). In 2009, for people born in early Capricorn, the Plutonian transformational energy is in the form of a conjunction, which is always the beginning of a new cycle. Capricorn’s security issues will have to be re-examined, new ways of earning a living or creating security will be introduced into her life, and stress of having to make changes against her will may cause health problems if the changes called for are resisted. A new desire to be in control of personal affairs will occur, and there could be battles of the wills with employers or the complete reorganization or disappearance of a company that has been her major source of security. The most positive aspect of this Pluto conjunction is the transformation of Capricorn’s ego and her personal delving within to deal with her shadow. Through challenges to her authority, she will gain insights into how she views the world that she was not previously aware of.

Saturn is making an easy aspect to Capricorn all year, so even for the early Capricorns who are dealing with change and transformation on the deepest levels of their being, Saturn is attending to matters of security and will be supportive for almost the entire year. Responsibilities will be handled easily and affairs should run smoothly.

Uranus, which has been and continues to be opposing Saturn, is also in an easy aspect to Capricorn, especially those born in the last 10 days of the sign. Uranus always speeds up the pace of life and brings interesting people and situations into the status quo. Unlike the mutable signs, this opposition of Saturn/Uranus will, for Capricorn, likely be more noticeable relating to the state of her country and the world as opposed to her personal life. Any life changes initiated by Uranus should bring new opportunities to late degree Capricorns, unless Uranus is in difficult aspect in the birth chart.

Capricorn is related to The Devil card in the Tarot deck – not because she is evil or somehow satanic, but because the biggest danger for Capricorn is to be caught up in materialism and power to the exclusion of all else to compensate for feelings of insecurity. Eventually, the money and power take over her life and she is chained to The Devil, like the people in the picture. The Devil card also relates to duties to which we believe we are bound through the manipulation of others. No one can bind you, no material desire can chain you, unless you allow it. Capricorn climbs mountains, but those mountains are also spiritual mountains. When she climbs to the heights of her spirituality, the chains of materialism, and The Devil, dissolve. Generosity of money, time and spirit are the keys to happiness for Capricorn – she must learn to allow the free flow of energy and all that she desires will come to her. Once she is secure in herself, she will be as surefooted as the mountain goat that is associated with her sign.

Sagittarius in 2009

“We must not believe the many, who say that only free people ought to be educated, but we should rather believe the philosophers who say that only the educated are free.” Epictetus

One of the traits of Sagittarius can be procrastination, and that’s what happened to me while trying to write this segment. Although it seems to be procrastination in the eyes of others, what actually happens is that something or many other things catches Sag’s attention and veers him off course. He eventually shows up and does what he intended to do in the first place, but putting pressure on him will only delay him further. (I’ve been informed by a reliable Sag source that this procrastination trait can be overcome with age.) Sag is mutable fire – the flying sparks from our burning bonfire. Aries lit the fire with its rush of flame, Leo’s coals keep it burning, and Sag’s sparks fly off into the ethers searching for new sources of fuel. I’ve been fortunate to have two Sags close to me for my whole life – my sister and my cousin. Both of them moved away from our home town when they were young -- one eventually ended up in the Big Apple and the other in Toronto, Canada. They both travel in one year more than I travel in five, and they never tire of seeing new places. Sag is the sign of expanding horizons – be they foreign countries, higher education, religious ideals, foreign people or the pursuit of justice. He is straightforward in his communication – he doesn’t sugar coat things and doesn’t hide behind lies. Jupiter is associated with Sag and it creates the need for expansion, so Sag is always looking to broaden his horizons. Being tied down is difficult for Sag, and unless he can find a partner that keeps up with him but also gives him space, he may choose not to have a partner at all.

Mid to late Sag’s will be feeling the effects of the Saturn/Uranus opposition off and on until the end of April 2010. Just like the world we live in, Sag will be aware of the need to break away from the status quo and create a radically different reality. If he’s not conscious about it, that new reality may be thrust upon him suddenly. Situations that create feelings of dread (like a job you hate) may suddenly disappear if you don’t consciously make changes. Because Saturn is moving backward right now and Uranus, forward, the intensity of this configuration will soften until these planets move back into exact opposition next April. Now is the time to examine your life and attempt to make changes in the areas that you know in your heart aren’t good for you. It will be easier if you take the steps to make change than if change is thrust upon you, but some of us need a push that forces us to make a change (and then complain that it was against our will).

Early Sags have already felt the influence of Saturn and Uranus and their lives are settling down into more of a routine, but for those born after about the 7th of December, if you don’t slow down when you start to feel stretched too thin, you could experience health problems. If you feel the need to slow down, listen to yourself.

Jupiter transiting in Aquarius is a fortunate aspect for Sag. New avenues of exploration and opportunities to pursue them will be presented. Jupiter stays in Aquarius until January 2010, so traveling, education, learning more about computers and the internet, Astrology, and new inventions will be a good outlet for Sag this year. Since Jupiter is in an easy aspect, overdoing anything shouldn’t be a problem.

In December, Sags born around December 16 will feel the effects of a conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune. These planets together can bring an abundance of idealism into your life. Deep spiritual experiences or profound religious truths may be encountered, changing your reality. On the other hand, be cautious about the effects of drugs during this timeframe, and don’t allow yourself to be carried away by fantasies about what could be. Although this will be a great time to formulate your dreams of the future, it would help if you had someone near, like a good solid Taurus, with whom to discuss your ideas before you act on them.

Temperance, the card associated with Sagittarius in the Tarot deck, has a picture of an angel standing with one foot on the solid ground of physical experience and one in the waters of emotion, pouring what appears to be water from one vessel to another. Temperance here relates to the blending of ingredients in the correct amounts to create harmony and balance. Aleister Crowley calls this card “Alchemy,” which is a process of taking unrelated elements and creating another which is very valuable. In spiritual matters, that alchemy refers to transmuting lower elements into higher ones, moving our being to higher levels of spirituality. Sag spends his life gathering knowledge – through higher education, philosophy, traveling to new and exotic locales, and heated discussions with others in the pursuit of wisdom. All of this experience allows Sag to weigh and measure his experience and find the right path to walk in any situation – his tao. With Sag’s accumulated wisdom, he can be the Judge, finding mediation within diversity. In a seemingly irreconcilable situation, his accumulated experience and wisdom are available for blending and creating something of great personal worth. Turn to your accumulated wisdom, Sag, when the road is the darkest. The answer already lies within you.

Scorpio in 2009

“Tamed as it may be, sexuality remains one of the demonic forces in human consciousness -- pushing us at intervals close to taboo and dangerous desires, which range from the impulse to commit sudden arbitrary violence upon another person to the voluptuous yearning for the extinction of one's consciousness, for death itself.” Susan Sontag

Scorpio, fixed water, is the most misunderstood and feared sign of the zodiac, and is known for its intense sexuality and emotions. Scorpio is related to the eighth house of the horoscope, the house of emotionally intense sexuality (as opposed to the fifth house, which is sex for fun), death, other people’s money and transformation. Libra relates to others mentally, creating a connection through flirting and body language, while Scorpio relates to others emotionally, wanting to know everything there is to know about how her partner feels and all his or her secret desires. It is difficult for people who don’t relate emotionally to even get what Scorpio is about. Unless you are able to communicate non-verbally and sense your partner’s emotions, it’s unlikely that you will want a Scorpio in your life. She rarely tells you what’s on her mind as she believes knowledge is power. Scorpio spends her life transforming herself and those she is close to. Often, there is tragedy in the life of a Scorpio – unexpected deaths, suicides, events that others can’t imagine living through. She learns lessons about letting go through those experiences, because once she attaches to someone or something, it’s difficult for her to let go. She can be very controlling. However, if a she loves you and trusts, you will experience love at a depth unlike that with any other sign, and if you let go and join her in the all consuming fire of her passion, you will never be the same.

With Jupiter moving into Aquarius and making a hard square to Scorpio, Scorpio should try not to be frustrated when others are elusive and detached in their relationships to her. While Scorpio wants exclusivity, Aquarius wants independence and eccentricity. Partners may tax joint finances for what Scorpio thinks are toys that don’t add anything to future security -- like giant TVs and cool new iPods. As Jupiter transits always bring protection and gifts, these issues won’t be major ones, but may be frustrating to Scorpio’s need to control. Legal matters could manifest, and Scorpio should beware of a sense of inflated self-importance.

Late Scorpios also have Neptune in Aquarius to contend with. Neptune in a hard aspect to the Sun brings confusion to self-identity. In some cases, an escapist tendency emerges and alcoholism or drug addiction (including prescription drugs) becomes a problem. Neptune’s energy, however, if used constructively, can bring great compassion and creativity into your life. Be cautious that any humanitarian causes that you involve yourself in don’t take over your life, but this is a good time to support causes that you feel strongly about. Creative people will find this period very inspiring. Sometimes, this type of aspect can result in a reaction to a medication that is hard to pinpoint. If you have been prescribed a medication, you should pay very close attention to your physical and psychological reactions as your body will be very sensitive to anything you put into it, including food.

Security and the need to change, shown by Saturn and Uranus, are going smoothly now for Scorpio. Opportunities will arise to increase security while at the same time allowing needed changes without burning bridges.

The Death card, probably only second to the Devil card in scaring people when it pops up in a Tarot reading, is related to Scorpio. All of life is a cycle – something is born, matures and dies. New life always follows death as Spring follows Winter. Death teaches us that all living things are equal in its eyes – we all die, kings as well as street people, cats as well as cactuses. It is a part of the natural cycle of life. The lesson for Scorpio is to loosen her grip. As hard as she may want to hold onto something or someone, all things come to an end. Relationships die, either from boredom or the death of a loved one; riches disappear when the stock market crashes or a Bernie Madoff pulls a fast one. If Scorpio can allow each experience to transform her and not try to hold on to it, she will find peace instead of pain.

Libra in 2009

"Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky." Rainer Maria Rilke

The first six signs of the zodiac follow the path of personal consciousness, from the first awareness of “I” to the realization that there is a great deal of self-fulfillment to be gained in being of service to others. At Libra, we begin to reach out to others to form relationships so that we can see ourselves from a different viewpoint. He is the cardinal air sign, which means that, like Aries, he initiates action, but through the element of air–mentally. For those who find relationships hard to initiate, taking lessons from Libra would be worthwhile. Relating is what he was born to accomplish, and he’s at his best when he’s able to view himself through someone else’s eyes. He is never tacky and goes to great lengths to be attractive to others. Clothing on the cutting edge of whatever he considers fashionable will find its way into his closet, and it’s important to him to be dressed appropriately for whatever social occasion he is attending, and there are a lot of them. Diplomacy was created by a Libra. If there’s someone in your family that is always trying to keep the peace, it’s a good bet they’re a Libra or have strong Libra tendencies in their chart. He dislikes discord and will go to great lengths to negotiate a truce. Like the kidneys purify the body, Libra purifies consciousness through the lens of relationship.

Please be aware that although I have not written about every outer planet’s effect on every sign, no Sun sign is isolated from their effects. My purpose in this blog is to give a little insight into the major influences for each sign over the coming year, and it is not meant to be all inclusive.

Neptune has been in a comfortable trine aspect (120º) to Libra since 1998, when it entered Aquarius (Gemini should also be able to relate to what I’m going to say). Neptune is basically a planet of escapism, illusion, and deception, but also of deep spiritual urges, and those types of experiences are being funneled through the lens of Aquarius. The internet is a conduit for this energy, as is the mainstream media. The trine from Neptune has increased the information Libra is receiving relating to spiritual matters, but also has made it easy for him to find ways to escape from reality, be it through the internet, science fiction, fantasy, drugs, political conspiracy theories or new age information. Because a trine aspect doesn’t force investigation, many Libras are enjoying their Neptunian interests with no idea that there may be a let down sometime in the future when they float back to the ground. This experience is potentially a great window into the reality of other dimensions, and Libras should just enjoy the ride.

On the other hand, as I’ve said before, Pluto has just entered Capricorn, a sign that is in square aspect (90º) to Libra, and recently began a 14-year journey putting obstacles in Libra’s path. He has to learn lessons relating to security within his relationships, including changes in societal status (such as those being experienced by Bernie Madoff’s investees), or deaths and/or illnesses affecting his important relationships. On the positive side, Pluto always transforms you and makes you stronger, and the challenges faced by Libras over the next 14 years will put them in touch with their hard inner core that they gloss over for appearances sake. At the heart of every sign is its opposite, and the opposite of Libra is Aries. There is fire within that can truly be discovered by the adversity of Pluto.

Libra’s card is Justice, the card of balance and objectivity. Here, issues are weighed and that which creates an imbalance is cut away. The gift of Libra is to be able to see both sides of a situation and weigh the pros and cons impartially. Air is not an emotional element, and in some cases, Libra’s judgment can be harsh. The lesson is to balance each thought against its opposite to annihilate illusion. Libra must learn that imbalance lies within us, not in the outside world, and he will learn it through the prism of his relationships.

Virgo in 2009

“Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come.” Perry Paxton

Imagine you’re going to a large family reunion organized by your cousin Stephanie, a Virgo. This will be no bring your own food and grab a beer reunion; this will be an organized potluck with each family responsible for a certain food or drink item. The invitations will be neatly prepared and sent out early enough for people to buy discount airfare, the room will be decorated appropriately, and picture taking will be organized so that everyone is in at least one picture. There will be plenty of beer and soft drinks, and when the party is over, the room will be cleaned from top to bottom. Stephanie may be busy all afternoon overlooking details, but she enjoys herself probably more than many of the people who attend. Virgo’s keywords are “I analyze,” and she uses this power to keep her world running smoothly by scrutinizing what needs to be done and when. Work, service and organization are what make Virgo hum. On the other hand, since most people aren’t as meticulous as Virgo, she can become critical and hound others because her vision of how things should be is not manifesting. In some cases, a Virgo gets so caught up in the details that she just throws up her hands and lets things be as they are. She can’t, so to speak, see the forest for the trees, and that’s the reason that some Virgo homes look disorganized. Inside, though, she knows where everything is or should be, but the chaos keeps her in a state of anxiety, which can cause her health issues.

For people born between about the 7th and 22nd of August, life will hold many challenges this year. Saturn is moving through the last half of Virgo, and the actions of authority figures may impose restrictions on Virgo and force her to handle responsibilities and unfinished business that appear difficult. Health issues can also be a concern. Adding to this stress, Uranus is opposed to Saturn (180º) and changes that are forced on her will be unexpected and life altering. Unlike Leo, Virgo is mutable air, so change is somewhat less traumatic. Once Virgo understands that what is occurring involves her destiny and stops fighting against it, the way becomes clearer and she will organize a plan of action to resolve the issues and put her life back on an organized path.

Pluto, which has just entered Capricorn, is making an easy trine (120º) to people born at the very beginning of Virgo. This should bring ease in making career changes, and perhaps a promotion. Certainly, powerful changes in status, in the way in which she performs tasks and work responsibilities, and her approach to handling health issues will have a transformative effect on early Virgos. These shouldn’t be painful or debilitating unless the natal chart has a very strong sensitivity to things Plutonian. Pluto moves slowly and all Virgos will experience this energy at some time in the next 14 years as Pluto remains in Capricorn until 2023. The lesson is about the handling of power, and every Virgo will learn to incorporate more power into her life.

The Hermit is Virgo’s tarot card. The picture is of a man in a hooded robe leaning on a large staff standing at the summit of a mountain. He is holding up a lantern as he looks down the mountain. He represents a person who has reached a level of knowledge that sets him apart from his peers, but he stops and shines his light so that others may follow in his footsteps. I always see him as an expert in his field who has few others with whom he can communicate because of the level of his knowledge, but instead of leaving others behind, he invites them to share in his knowledge. In a Tarot spread, the Hermit indicates the need for solitude, for careful planning, and for the removal of the self from the noise and chaos of the world so that before the next step on the path is taken, it can be contemplated. Prudence and discretion are necessary before continuing on the path of self-realization. When times become difficult for Virgo, she must seek within and use the wealth of knowledge she has accumulated to carefully plan, in detail, how to move forward into her future.

Leo in 2009

"Love doesn't make the world go round,
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

Elizabeth Browning

The bonfire that sprang to life in Aries is now burning hotly and evenly, its coals beautiful to look at. Leo, the fixed fire sign, is where the Sun is most comfortable and shines brightly through personal love. The soul of Leo warms everyone that comes close enough. It is represented by the Lion, and if you’ve ever experienced a purring cat in your lap, you know what affection can bring out in the king of beasts. Leos are regal, proud and fearless. A close friend in my 20’s, a warm and generous Leo woman, always told me, “Never let them see you sweat,” and she would proceed to do things that I never had the nerve to do, and get way with them. Leo is also associated with creativity and pleasure, and all of the Leos that I have known have been creative—actors, artists, writers, weavers of yarn, tellers of tales. More important than all else to Leo is love. Give him love, and you will have his loyalty and his generosity. Betray his love, and you will feel his bite.

Jupiter in Aquarius is opposing Leo all year, showing a need for Leo to expand mentally into new ideas and/or physically by pursuing new creative outlets with unique and interesting groups and organizations. The challenge is to increase creatively from within and not overdo it and deny the needs of others. Leo relates to personal love; Aquarius to impersonal love, and the trick is for him to balance the concepts by not creating a situation where his own needs are denying or interfering with the needs of others. Jupiter brings a desire for higher learning and travel, and this would be a good year to explore new places and ideas, but include a partner or friend. With an opposition aspect, now is not the time to do things alone, but it is a time to compromise. It may be that your significant other doesn’t want to go to the North Pole. Find someplace else that both of you would like to see instead of demanding the North Pole.

Neptune will be in Aquarius, particularly affecting Leos born between about August 15 and August 20, in 2009. This planet of illusion and idealism may bring people that live life on a different plane into Leo’s world. These can be very religious people, people with spiritual beliefs that are completely new or different, someone Leo feels is his “soul mate,” or people who have drug or alcohol problems. This aspect tends to cause confusion, and Leo may be tempted to try to “save” someone or want someone to “save” him. He should examine his motives to see if this comes from a true place of need or from a place of personal ego. If he meets someone who literally sweeps him off his feet in love, he should attempt to keep his own feet on the ground, or find someone solid and dependable with whom to discuss the situation. When Neptune touches a personal planet, we tend to see what we want to see and we tend to ignore important details that would bring clarity to the situation. Neptune rules drug addiction – the need to escape from reality. Although the experience of love under this type of transit is so incredible that it can’t be expressed to others in words (and they may think you’re crazy anyway), it also can’t last forever in this idealized form.

The Strength card in the Tarot card deck is related to Leo. The inner strength of Leo is in his ability to control his “beast.” Compassion, patience, courage and understanding bring out the best in Leo. The picture shows a young woman calming a lion with only her hands. With love, even the biggest jungle cat will respond positively and turn over on his back so you can rub his belly. That is one of the biggest lessons for Leo—using love as a weapon instead of his teeth and claws. Particularly with family members and other loved ones, even when they hurt you or upset you, never forget that you love them. Leo’s ego is always in danger of being bruised, but how he reacts is the lesson. Sincere love will turn even enemies into friends.

Cancer in 2009

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” Jane Howard

A crab, the symbol for the sign Cancer, lives its life within a hard shell, but beneath that shell is a delicious delicacy. Because Cancer is a water sign, she is sensitive to the emotions of others and in order to keep herself from getting stirred up by every passing emotion, she hides her delicate interior behind a hard exterior. That doesn’t keep her from reaching out emotionally, but she does it on her own terms. Cancer is cardinal water and is more comfortable reaching out rather than having someone reaching in. Because of her sensitive nature, she is very selective about who is in her inner circle, and those that are allowed in she considers family–even if they are her chosen family and not her blood family. The nurturing instinct in her is particularly strong. Whether manifesting through a man or a woman, Cancer is the personification of the protective mother, be it for the protection of a partner, a child, a small animal or a friend.

With Pluto’s transit into Capricorn, Cancers born at the beginning of the sign in June are feeling Pluto’s transformative power through their relationships with others. Intense renovation in areas of home, family, security, or social standing will have a profound effect on partnerships. With so many people out of work, the issue of security will be an important one for many Cancers and one that can disrupt even the most stable relationship. Pluto’s influence brings to the surface old buried parts of the psyche that need to be transformed into something more relevant to present circumstances. Just as the legendary Phoenix was destroyed and recreated through fire, Cancer’s manner of relating, their partners and/or their relationships may go through transformative experiences and will have to regenerate and become stronger or move on. Pluto takes no hostages.

Mid-July Cancers are under the influence of an easy trine (120º) from Uranus, the planet of change and sudden enlightenment. With Uranus in Pisces, spiritual people and the desire to help others in need may create changes in the way she expresses herself and give her more freedom to fulfill her generous spirit and nurturing spirit. A change in spiritual beliefs, or a deepening of her belief system may also occur at this time.

Saturn in Virgo, still making that opposition (180º) aspect to Uranus but making a nice sextile (60º) to Cancer, may bring opportunities to mid-July Cancers through work and should be of assistance in keeping life somewhat stable and healthy.

In the Tarot, the Chariot card is related to the sign of Cancer. Like Cancer, it is a card of movement—a chariot being drawn by two horses. A warrior must do battle from the side of the chariot, just as a crab doesn’t approach battle head on. The warrior must also have complete control over the horses so they move uniformly and don’t pull the chariot apart moving in opposite directions. Cancer must also get control, but of her emotions so that they don’t tear her apart. She reacts strongly to perceived slights because of her sensitive nature, but she wears armor around her feelings like the warrior in the Chariot wears armor for physical protection, and none but those sensitive to her watery nature will know that the armor protects a sensitive soul. The Chariot also represents the need for focused drive harnessed to a powerful will so that she can accomplish goals that are worth fighting for, and for Cancer, that usually involves the protection of those she considers her family.