Goodbye Fire, Hello Earth – Venus and Mars From Aries to Taurus

By Fran Rosen. Venus in Aries (since February 2, except for a week back into Pisces), along with Mars in Aries (starting on April 22), has been creeping through my 12th house for what seems like forever. I am Taurus rising and Venus in Gemini is my chart’s ruler (in the 2nd, giving me even more Taurus-like characteristics), so I am always acutely aware of where Venus is and what she’s doing. Take it from me, these planets playing tag through my 12th house in Aries has not been my favorite placement, particularly since I’ve been trying to find new employment since being laid off before Thanksgiving. The cadent 12th house is all about your buried fears and insecurities, and it’s where you bind yourself and keep yourself captive. It’s a hidden house and when you’re trying to make yourself known, it’s like yelling out of a deep well attempting to get someone’s attention. Similar to the balsamic phase at the dark of the Moon, a planet transiting your 12th house is a time when you will find yourself reviewing how you’ve used that planet’s energy in the past, and what has worked and what hasn’t. It’s a time to make decisions about the direction you wish to move in, but you have to be patient because it will take the energy of the cardinal 1st house to create the movement and set you on your new path. On May 31, Mars will move into earthy Taurus (until July 11) and on June 6, Venus will follow (until July 5), and all I can say is hallelujah! Although it will take a few more weeks for these energies to cross my ascendant into my 1st house, they will activate my 1st house by sign. (Your 12th house will in most cases be ruled by the sign before your rising sign, but not always.)

Mars in Aries energy is about being innovative, wanting to explore new areas of life, and doing things your own way. Venus in Aries is about seeking out new social and sexual relationships, finding new ways to generate material income, and forging new personal values. These energies moving into Taurus are an indication that concrete manifestations and feelings of security in those areas will start to occur. We should also see some of the changes and new beginnings instituted by the U.S. government begin to have a real world effect. On the other hand, the fires of enthusiasm will be dampened somewhat by a Taurean reality check, which can be either good or bad, depending on what you have your heart set on (and with the Jupiter/Neptune conjunction going on right now in Aquarius, we all seriously need to do continuous reality checks). If you don’t have a lot of earth in your chart (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) or a strong Saturn, then I suggest that you get the perspective of one of your most practical friends or a practical member of your family about any plan of action you suspect may need toning down. That may help to shake off some of the fairy dust before the practicality of these planets in Taurus squaring the Jupiter/Neptune grand idealistic vision does it for you as we move through June.

The fiery passion of Aries will turn more possessive in Taurus. Time will slow down. You may feel like it’s harder to get moving in the morning, but Mars in Taurus brings a sustaining strength, so you may move slower, but your energy will last longer. If you’ve been frugal, this will be the time to make those sensible purchases that you’ve been putting off. Venus in Taurus is a great bargain hunter and the bargains should be out there.

The Sun moved out of Taurus and into Gemini last week, so people are back on the roads for the holiday. However, the active and energetic Sun in Gemini/Venus and Mars in Aries vibration we are experiencing now will slow down noticeably as soon as Mars goes into Taurus on the 31st, so if you have been putting off doing anything that should be taken care of quickly, try to get it done this week. Mars in Taurus will get it done, but it will get it done in its own time.

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend.

Mercury, Planet of Communication, Trade, and Thieves, Moves from Aries to Taurus in April

(Augustin Pajou's Mercure ou le Commerce from 1780)

"Hermes…son of Zeus and Maia, which is, of mind and sense. For the word is engendered from mind and sense. On account of this they also make him winged, as if to be swift. For nothing is swifter than a word. And [that is why] Homer [says] ‘winged words’." --Suidas [syū'ĭdəs], Greek lexicographer.

Mercury, the fast moving planet that is never 28º away from the Sun, was named after Mercury, the Roman wing-sandaled God of communication, by ancient astrologers after studying its astrological effects for hundreds of years. Mercury was called Hermes by the Greeks, and the Egyptian name for him is Thoth, the inventor of hieroglyphics, the originator of the use of calendars, and the judge of the souls of the dead. As a combination of the Greek God Hermes and the Egyptian God Thoth, he is known as Hermes Trismegistus (“Thrice-great Hermes”), a writer of astrological texts, who is also responsible for the occult arts, including alchemy. It is said he authored the Hermetic Books, 36,525 volumes of magic, wisdom and Egyptian history. A messenger God, and a God of trade, he also guides the dead to Hades, and is the patron God of travelers and thieves. In the myths about Mercury, he is almost always doing another God’s bidding, keeping with his role as messenger. Although Mercury was not one of the original Roman Gods, he was still honored by them, and when the Romans conquered the Celts, the Romans associated the Celtic God Lugus, or Lugh, with Mercury. Lugh, a multi-talented God, is not only nimble and quick-minded, but also musical and a ferocious warrior. The Germanic tribes knew Mercury as Wotan and the Norse knew him as Odin, the God who hung himself from a tree for nine days and gave the knowledge of the Runic alphabet to the world, a system both of writing and of magic. The Celtic God Oghma, a God of communication and writing who invented the Ogham alphabet and gave it to the Druids, is also a Mercury-type God.

On April 10, the planet Mercury’s energy slows down from the frantic pace of Aries to the unhurried and easy pace of Taurus. Tempers that have been set off with a few ill chosen words will cool down, and stubbornness will take over as the way to deal with irritation. Thoughts will turn to commerce, as Taurus is interested in the buying and selling of goods and the making and saving of money. Taurus is not a comfortable sign for Mercury, as Taurus is slow and ponderous, while Mercury is quick and agile. The planet will be much more comfortable after May 1, when Mercury goes into Gemini.

Pluto will be in good aspect to Mercury from the 10th to about the 14th, allowing analytical thinking to be at its best. This will be a good period to get to the bottom of any matter, and powers of persuasion will be strong. From about the 16th to the 19th, Saturn will give thinking a practical aspect and this will be a good time for hard mental work and for serious, practical consideration of important decisions. From about the 24th to the end of the month, don’t take anything at face value. Wait until Mercury goes into Gemini before making any decisions as there could be some hidden problem that won’t surface until after Mercury changes signs.

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!

Taurus in 2009

“Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money.” Anonymous

Taurus is one of my favorite signs, but I have it rising so I may be prejudiced. Being fixed earth, Taurus can be your rock. Sometimes that rock is so heavy and grounded, it can’t be moved without dynamite, but usually if you just give the rock a little nudge, it will roll on its own at its own speed.

The Bull is ruled by the material side of Venus. She likes nice things (bought on sale) and wants a nice home for her family and friends to enjoy with her. She is normally even-tempered, but if you push her too hard or attempt to take what she considers hers (be it possessions or someone’s affection), the volcanic rock that is her core will erupt with lasting consequences. Like Scorpio, once the point is reached where Taurus feels that she can’t take it anymore, the relationship will never recover because her trust has been broken. She doesn’t usually see herself as unreasonable, but that’s certainly an inborn trait. Stubbornness, like frugality, is part of her DNA.

2009 should be a pretty good year for Taurus. Saturn is still in Virgo making a nice trine (120 degree angle) which brings ease in matters relating to work and health, particularly for those born in May. Even if a change in employment is needed, Saturn will help to make the transition less difficult.

Uranus is still in Pisces making a nice sextile aspect (60 degrees) to people born in May and bringing opportunities for change that aren’t life shattering and can make life very interesting. Some of those changes may come through the introduction of mystical or spiritual elements into the life of Taurus.

Jupiter has gone into Aquarius this week and will stay there until January of 2010, challenging Taurus to beware of either an inflated sense of self or of overextending herself either physically or financially. An overabundance of optimism could be dangerous in this financial climate. Aquarius is about new and radical ideas, revolution, new inventions, and new electronic toys. Those new ideas and things may initially find resistance in Taurus, but Jupiter is an expansive planet and adopting them could bring renewed interest in life that may have been missing for awhile. Jupiter brings gifts, and if Taurus uses her innate sense of caution while seeking out new ideas and things, I believe this year can be a very positive one for her.

In the Tarot deck, Taurus is the Hierophant, which is a Pope figure to Christians. However, Hierophant was a name given to ancient Greek high priests who interpreted sacred mysteries. He represents the moral ruler as opposed to the Emperor, who is the political ruler. Hierophant also means “one who explains.” Within every Taurus is a wealth of sacred knowledge and morality which she has to learn to tap into. When searching for answers, Taurus must turn inward and find the answers for herself. People naturally trust her opinion and seek her out when they are unclear about what to do, so this year, when practical wisdom is needed, seek out your center, Taurus. There is no higher authority. If you aren’t a Taurus, I suggest finding one to bounce your ideas off of. You’ll get great advice.