Sunday, June 28, 2009

Eclipses (Part One)

Since we have a couple of Eclipses coming up in July, I thought it would be a good idea to write a little bit about them. This is the first part of a two part blog.

Eclipses are one of the most important predictive tools that an astrologer can use. An eclipse is an astronomical phenomena that involves the relative position of the Sun, Moon and Earth. There are two kinds of eclipses: Solar and Lunar. At the time of a Solar Eclipse, the Moon is lying direc­tly between the Earth and Sun, temporarily obscuring the Sun from the Earth's view. Lunar Eclipses occur when the Earth is between the Sun and Moon, with the Earth com­pletely blocking the Sun.

Solar Eclipses only take place during the New Moon. Lunar Eclipses always occur during the Full Moon. While a New and Full Moon occur once a month, they are not always eclipses, because the orbit of the Moon does not always lie on the same path as the Earth's. When it does, only then do we have an eclipse. If the lunar orbit was in perfect align­ment with the solar orbit, there would be a Solar Eclipse during every New Moon and a Lunar Eclipse during every Full Moon. Because this is not the case, there are an average of only two Solar and two Lunar Eclipses every year. These usually occur in pairs because of the position of the lunar nodes. The lunar nodes are those imaginary points where the lunar orbit crosses the ecliptic, or solar orbit.

The nodes of the moon are important in seeing if we have an eclipse, or just a regular lunation. The lunar nodes are always in opposing signs across the zodiac, and retrograde through the signs. An eclipse occurs when the conjunction or opposition of the two luminaries is within 18° 31' of either the North or South Node of the Moon for Solar Eclip­ses, and 12° 15' for Lunar Eclipses. These positions of the eclipses in longitude will vary due to the regression of the Lunar Nodes. The South Node will occupy the opposite signs during these occurs in is of extreme importance, because it indicates what kind of intrinsic action will become activated during the eclipse period, and how that action will affect the native. A good way to examine the eclipse is to look at the mode of activity, through the qualities and elements of the zodiac.

The quality shows the kind of action the eclipse will pre-sent to the native. When an eclipse occurs in a cardinal sign, such as Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, the action of the eclipse will be swift and decisive. The native must deal with the eclipse in a determined manner, meet the crisis head on, and accept it as an oncoming challenge. The eclipse must be dealt with in a way that allows the individual to rise above the situation. When an eclipse occurs in a fixed sign, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius, the native will want to live with the crisis in order to maintain the status quo. The action initiated by the fixed eclipse will be very slow and deliberate. Usually with the fixed eclipses, one major event or cir­cumstance will be highlighted during the eclipse period. Mutable eclipses occur in the signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagit­tarius and Pisces. When presented with a mutable eclipse, the individual may pretend that any problem brought upon them does not exist The native may also try to walk around the crisis at hand and avoid it The action here will be changeable and fluctuating. More than one crisis can arise with the mutable eclipse.

The element of the eclipse indicates at what level the eclipse will be felt. Eclipses that are fire in element, Aries, Leo or Sagittarius, are usually accepted as a personal chal­lenge, and dealt with in the spirit of the crisis. Great growth can occur under the influence of this particular lunation. Eclipses in an earth sign, such as Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn, are tangible and real, and usually occur on a mundane level. Money or career of the individual are subjects of the crisis. The foundations of these people are usually tested to see if they are on steady ground. Great stability and security can be acquired if the eclipse is handled in a productive manner. Air eclipses that occur in Gemini, Libra or Aquarius, can bring about an intellectual development. When an eclipse occurs in a water sign, Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces, a highly emotional crisis can occur in the native's life. Nebulous mat­ters can be the basis of this eclipse. Usually the scope of the crisis is limited to the emotional feelings. Intuitive abilities can be sharpened and used to gain insight into the emotional nature of the native.

The sign the eclipse occurs occurs in is of extreme importance, because it indicates what kind of intrinsic action will become activated during the eclipse period, and how that action will affect the native. A good way to examine the eclipse is to look at the mode of activity, through the qualities and elements of the zodiac.

Monday, June 22, 2009

New Moon in Cancer

Today, June 22, we will experience a New Moon. This New Moon will occur at 1 degree of Cancer at 3:35 EDT

The New Moon is the start of the lunation cycle. It is the time when the Moon meets the Sun in the sky. When the Moon and the Sun are in conjunction with each other. When the conscious mind can blend with the subconscious.

This is an especially strong New Moon because the Sun is still pretty much at the powerful Solstice point, just a little more than a degree away. Also, this New Moon begins a lunar month whose Full Moon, which will occur 2 weeks from now, is also a Lunar Eclipse. A Lunar Eclipse is an important kind of Full Moon whose influence can last up to 6 months.

New Moons are usually a good time to start things. To initiate projects. This is even truer when the lunation is in a cardinal sign like Cancer. Cardinal signs are by nature real initiators of action.

Since Cancer is the sign that governs our emotions, this lunar month would be a good time for us to examine our true inner feelings. What are the real sentiments that motivate our actions and responses to people and situations?

Cancer is all about nurturing and emotional security which occurs within ourselves and in our relationships with others. If you are having trouble with a loved one or family member this New Moon would be a perfect time to begin a path of healing for yourself and the other individual.

On a more mundane level, it’s a time when a person could try to start a home project or begin to plan on doing some kind of work on the house. Clean out the attic or the garage. Do not be surprised if you don’t come across some old family heirlooms. Since the home is a sanctuary were we go to recharge our body mind and spirit we could find ourselves creating a sacred space were a person could be nourished and recharged.

A very significant feature of this particular New Moon is that it is in direct opposition to the planet Pluto in Capricorn. We may find that we could experience direct opposition to the course of action we wish to take. It could end up being a power struggle between us and this opposing force.

If a person has knowledge of their natal chart, they can look to the two houses where these positions of Cancer and Capricorn are located. By doing this one can get a better idea of what areas of life may be affected.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Happy Summer Solstice

This year the summer begins on Sunday June 21 at 1:45 am EDT. That makes this day the longest day of the year. This occurs because the earth is now circling the Sun with its axis tilted at about 23 degrees. Now the Northern Hemisphere is the closest to the Sun as it will be all year long. The opposite will occur in December when the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun. That is when we experience the shortest day of the year.

Astrologically this is when the Sun enters the sign of Cancer. In general terms this is a time when we can tune into the emotional side of our nature. This includes not only our feelings, but our needs and nurturing instincts. Also our connection to the home and family. Our most basic sense of belonging.

Our support unit does not necessarily have to be ones family. Our family of origin or our chosen family one has as an adult. It is those people that help satisfy our need for belonging.

Now is a good time to turn our attention to those who nurture us as well as those who we in turn nurture. Think about ways that we as supportive individuals can help care for those who help us in our own time of need.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Mercury in Gemini

During the evening on the 13th of June, Mercury will enter its own sign Gemini for a quick three week stay. The last time Mercury traveled through Gemini was during May and June of 2008. That time because of retrograde motion, Mercury was in Gemini for roughly a six week period.

Now Mercury did stick its head into Gemini for a couple of weeks in May. It then turned retrograde and went back into Taurus. Now it’s coming back at full speed for a 21 day stay in Gemini.

This time the action of Gemini is going to be swift and direct.

When Mercury is in Gemini, we are especially communicative and sociable. Under this influence we could talk, talk, talk and talk. It may seem like we are always on the move, going from one place to another.

Mercury in its own sign favors logic and learning. Things that we learn now is information gathered on a superficial level. Also, communication flows more freely and you are able to put your ideas into meaningful words. Mercury traveling in this sign corresponds with important decisions or the formulation for plans in the future.

The energies of Mercury in Gemini are often scattered so this can be a period of time when we are easily distracted. It could be difficult to give attention to any one matter for an extended period of time. Also plenty of nervous energy at this time.

Social activity could lend itself to short distance travelling. There could be an increase in communications with siblings and those living within our immediate environment.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Neptune

At the end of last month Neptune turned retrograde in motion. It will remain that way until November of this year. I thought it would be a good idea to write a little something about the planet.

The mysterious Neptune is the eighth and second most distant planet in our solar system. Neptune is a giant of a planet and is more than 4 times the size of Earth. It is the most perfectly spherical of all of the planets.

It takes the great planet about 165 years to make one complete trip around the zodiac. It has yet to finish an entire journey since its discovery-less than 150 years ago. Like its sister planets, Uranus and Pluto, Neptune is generational in its effects and influences.
In astrology, Neptune is associated with all that is hidden in nature. It is dissolution, untruth, deception, illusion, fraudulence, deceit and im­itation. Neptune works in a nebulous manner. With this planet things are seldom what they appear to be,

Neptune is a higher octave of the planet Venus. Like Venus it governs love, but on a much higher spiritual level. Neptune is universal unconditional love. The epitome of Neptunian love can be found in the story of the martyrdom of Jesus Christ. He who died for the sins of the world.

Neptune spends an average of 13 years in each particular sign. Consequently the sign position of the planet is more generational than personal in its influence. The sign Neptune was in at the time of ones birth indicates the kind of cultural expression manifested by the creative abilities of a generation. The intuitive tendencies of each group wily take on the qualities of whichever sign Neptune occupies.

The house position of Neptune is much more specific in its interpretation. It denotes the way a person expresses their mystical potential. The house Neptune was in at the time of ones birth shows which areas of a person’s life will be affected by intuitive insights, dreams and pre-monitions. Neptune’s house position can reveal the true karmic purpose in ones present incarna­tion and give a clue as to what lessons need to be learned.

A person with a badly aspected Neptune can produce a personality of an escapist who tries to hide from the responsibility of the real world in a fog of illusion. Alcoholics and drug addicts fit into this category. Hypochondriacs and people who suffer from psychosomatic illnesses are also negative Neptune types.

Those who are fortunate enough to have a well placed Neptune have the ability to reach the highest states of spiritual attainment. These people are receptive, idealistic and real visionaries'. They can be very introspective and need a good amount of silence and solitude because of their sensitive natures.

Neptune rules Pisces, the 12th and last sign of the zodiac. The planet governs the feet. It is also associated with hearing, the spinal canal, and the optic nerves. When afflicted it causes deep seated emotional problems and mental instability.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Venus (and Mars) in Taurus

On the last day of May, Mars entered the sign of Taurus. Now, on June 6, Venus will join Mars in that sign. With this double shot of this steadfast sign, now is the time to concern ourselves with practical, down to earth matters. There could be a desire to be more grounded and act methodically in matters ruled by Venus. This transit of Venus is of added significance because Venus rules the sign of Taurus.

Venus is very comfortable in the sign of Taurus. Comfortable to the point slowing down quite a bit to enjoy the nicer things that life has to offer. Good food. Fine wine. Anything that appeals to the senses. Just be careful not to take it all to the point of overindulgence.
You may find yourself spending money on things that are aesthecially pleasing. Fashion, art, furniture and any kind of home décor. On the opposite side of the spectrum you could find yourself putting some monies away for a rainy day.

Lest we not forget that Venus is the planet of love. If you are in a relationship tangible and physical expressions of love are in order. If you are looking for that special someone, now could be the time to zero in on any potential lovers. Do watch however for a tendency to be a little too possessive under this influence. This is especially true now as Mars is also traveling through the sign of ruled by Venus.

Whatever does come your way during the Venus and Mars transit of Taurus, it should be a period of slowing down a bit action filled ride of having both of these personal planets in the sign of Aries, during the month of May.