The Astrologer Says

Sagittarius

This weekend has been one of, mostly  welcome, shifts. 

Much of the weekend was focused on tying up loose ends and dealing with the consequences of actions taken earlier as evidenced by Sunday's full moon in Taurus-Scorpio in the very last degrees of the respective signs. 

Then the moon's entrance into light-hearted Gemini flicked away much of the Scorpio heaviness we had been feeling in the past weeks. 

This morning at 5:14 am Eastern, the Sun enters Sagittarius and it will be the first time since September that we haven't had any planets in Scorpio. 

Scorpio's energy has an essential purpose--it brings us down to look at life as it really is and not what we want it to be. And that means looking at the muck under the surface so that the rot, the dead parts can be excised. After the diseased or rotting parts are removed and the remainder cleaned up, true healing can begin. The rot can be in your dealings with another such as an intimate relationship or it can be the revelation of financial hanky-panky as was the case when Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008, or an attitude or habit pattern that has outlived its usefulness, or even physical rot in a building.

Scorpio (and Pluto) are the energy of transformation, but to transform something must die in the process so that you can be cleansed and reborn.

A quote that has been retweeted many times goes like this.

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over it became a butterfly."

 The caterpillar goes into the cocoon where it is dark and it dies as a caterpillar. But it emerges as a butterfly with beautiful wings and it can fly. 

It is the lightness of the butterfly newly emerged that we feel when today's Sun emerges from Scorpio. The symbol of Sagittarius, the Archer, describes, how we, feeling lighter, look up to the skies.

Perspective has changed and we want to look at the big picture. Now is the time for visioning. Where are you headed? Do you like that direction? If not, where do you want to be headed?

When you look at the big picture you can see how small details fit together to paint a larger mosaic. 

We are coming to the end of the calendar year. It's been quite roller-coaster and more. Now is a good time to lighten up, enjoy yourself, and take stock. And ask yourself where do you want to head?

The Sun's entrance into Sagittarius also marks the beginning of the holiday season in the US. This coming week we celebrate Thanksgiving and next month there are the solstice holidays such as Christmas. The holiday season is marked by parties and festivities--enjoy yourself.

You deserve it.

Some Thoughts About the Astrological Weather

In the past few weeks we have been doing some heavy duty processing.

It's been a tough year for many. If you have been directly impacted by this summer's once-in-a-lifetime cardinal T-cross your world has changed profoundly. And if you ducked the blow this time, then you observed the turmoil in world events--think the floods in Pakistan, an occurrence of truly Biblical proportion or the fires around Moscow.

And then there was the landmark passage of the health care package and finance reform.  

A great deal happened in only a few short months and many seeds were planted. When historians look back they will see the summer of 2010 as a crossroads.

But we're not finished.

But as summer gave way to fall, planets, one-by-one, either retrograded or retreated into their former signs. So Uranus and Jupiter are now cooling their heels in Pisces--for now.

The Universe is giving us this time to process the change that took place this summer and earlier in the year.

Currently the Sun is traveling through Scorpio. Just a couple days ago it was accompanied by Moon, Mercury, and Venus in that sign. As the world is changing on a profound level it affects us in our personal lives, too. The Scorpio energy is helping us integrate and transform on a very deep level.  

This past Sunday, Neptune turned direct and on the 18th, Venus and Jupiter will do the same, only a few hours apart. Pent up energy is released when a planet begins to move forward. Not only will you feel energized, but you will be able to see your world with a very different perspective.

Keep in mind, though, that we are only part of the way through the major outer planet transits that are remaking the world we live in. 

Whatever insights you've learned, whatever perspectives you've gained, will change again and again. Like the results of last week's mid-term elections, the results are temporary. 

Stay loose and nimble and you'll be fine.

Astrological Weather for Week of October 18th

If there is one lesson to be learned this week it is that we are far more powerful than it appears on the surface.

But the power - and the energy - plays out in different ways as the week progresses.

This is especially true at the beginning of the week as the moon is in deceptively soft Pisces. 

Pisces,like its sister water signs Cancer and Scorpio, is often underestimated. But its ruler Neptune is King of the Seas and the force of water can eat away at the strongest stone.

Neptune will be making a series of powerful aspects early in the week, a trine to Mercury as we begin the workweek on Monday morning, and another trine to the Sun on Tuesday.

The power of the first part of the workweek, Monday and Tuesday, is the power of vision. When there is a clear vision, it is easy to take action that will support it and bring it into fruition. 

As the Sun, Saturn and Mercury continue to highlight Libra's energy it becomes increasingly clear that our goals require the cooperation of others. 

But from Wednesday on, power is found in taking action when the moon enters Aries and takes on its do-it-now energy. Aries and Libra are on opposite ends of the horoscope circle. 

Libra's strong desire for harmony and balance make it tempting to give in just to keep the peace. The Aries moon energy adds a healthy dose of selfishness; a reminder that a lasting balance must take care of your own needs also.

Aries is action-oriented and people are ready to take action, especially as the moon nears its point of fullness on Friday evening at 9:37 pm ET.

Thinking and fact finding is culminating into decision-making.

But with Libra's ruler, Venus swimming through the depths of Scorpio, we can sure that there is much more than what appears on the surface. 

What is percolating below the surface becomes more clear when Mercury followed by the Sun enter Scorpio. By the time the weekend is in full gear, the astrological and emotional climate will have shifted. 

Moon and Shifting Moods

How easily the pendulum of mood shifts with the passage of the moon through the signs.

Yesterday the Moon moved through expansive Sagittarius and the world seemed to be our oyster. But today with the moon newly arrived in serious Capricorn, it's back to serious business. 

The moon touches off other planets one-by-one as it makes its way through the signs. It touches gregarious Jupiter and break-the-rules Uranus before exiting Sag. But this morning it touches Pluto and later this evening, Saturn. 

Heavy and serious are the themes that run through the day.

If you follow the movement of the moon through the signs and watch when and how it touches the planets as it moves, you gain a heads up. Use that awareness to plan your activities as you would when following the meteorological forecasts.

Yesterday was a lighter, big picture day--get out and move around day, and today, get down to serious work and details day.

Its a total difference in mood. When you calibrate your activities by the motion of the moon, you make better use of your time and you 'll be much happier doing it.

Today's Changing Emotional Weather and the Moon

Today is a day when the emotional tone of the day shifts dramatically. So consider this bot a mini-astrology lesson and a heads up.

The morning begins with the moon in practical, detail-oriented Virgo. You will be most productive before lunchtime if you can remain focused, maybe easier said than done with Jupiter opposing the planet at 10:23 am (ET). 

By lunch, when moon opposes Uranus (12:43 pm), all bets are off. Uranus brings in the unexpected and what you can reasonable expect is that your schedule is likely to be disrupted. 

And then...

The opposition is the last major aspect the moon makes while in Virgo--in other words the moon will be void of course (Don't know what a void of course moon is? See my post on void moons) So the day is shot until 3:51pm when it finally goes into Libra.

The emotional tone will change from a 'just the facts, ma'am" approach to a people oriented one since Libra is very concerned about one-to-one dealings. 

At any rate, watch what happens as the day progresses and see first-hand how the moon's changes affect the course of your day.

Equinox Fall 2010

At 11:09 pm Eastern tonight, the Sun will be directly overhead the Equator. Or, as you might better understand it, it will be the moment of the Equinox when calendar Summer makes way to calendar Fall and Sun enters the cardinal sign of Libra.

It is a time of perfect balance as the hours of daylight and darkness are equal. 

The beginning of a season is always a time of great change, especially when that season begins with an equinox (spring and fall). The hours of daylight and darkness change quickly, and in this case, Fall, if you live in the northern hemisphere, brings cooler weather.

The Wiccans have the right idea. They mark the occasion with ritual. Whether you are a Wiccan or not, taking a moment to meditate, or making your own private ritual is powerful today.

Every season begins when the Sun visits a cardinal sign for 30 days. Cardinal signs are signs of action and solar transits are times to take action. People are more ready to make decisions now and issues, languishing, will begin to move.

I will talk about the fall equinox and the coming fall season; how it will affect us now with the current astrological conditions of 2010. You can listen from the comfort of your phone or computer on Thursday, Sept 23rd at 9 pm Eastern.

To listen to my free teleseminar, sign up here.

Astrology Alert - Good Day to Tune Out and Take Off

The whole point of astrology is that it gives you a cosmic heads up about the flow of energy so that you can work with it instead of against it.

Today is a case in point that is especially applicable for those who work during the daylight hours.

At 9:09 am (all times are Eastern), the moon conjoins Neptune and then goes void of course before entering Pisces.

As an astrologer, that's all I need to know not to expect to accomplish much of anything concrete. Many people will try, though. After all, it is Monday, the first day of the workweek and many like to hit the ground running.

But instead of spinning your wheels, go with the flow and use the day for dreaming and letting thoughts percolate to your consciousness, or better yet, play hooky and see a good movie.

Venus, Jupiter, and Energy Shifts

How do you know when there will be shifts in energy?

Just look to see when a planet is about to enter a new sign or when it is changing direction.

This week there are several shifts.

First, yesterday, Venus entered Scorpio. Venus is the planet of relationships and money. It leaves Libra where it feels at home--Libra's energy of balance and harmony mesh well with Venus' energy of attraction, to enter intense, passionate Scorpio. 

Relationship encounters take on a deeper edge. It is not enough to have balance and give-and-take. Venus in Scorpio dictates a merging of the two people in question. It is an intense energy, especially if it sets off planets or sensitive points in the charts of you or your partner.

Such intensity can be frightening and many times people will mask their anxiety by trying to exert control over themselves or their partner. And so, power plays, mind-games and manipulation can be a result.

But Scorpio is also a healer. Venus's visit through the sign can also be an opportunity to explore issues on a deep level in order to purge and heal them. This is particularly true when Venus turns retrograde which it will do in early October. 

Then, today, September 9th, Jupiter reenters Pisces for one last hurrah. People who have planets and/or sensitive points in late Pisces will be the principal beneficiaries, although planets and sensitive points in the last degrees of the other mutables (Gemini, Virgo and Sag) will also feel it. 

Jupiter brings optimism and hope. The world is a kinder, more welcoming place when Jupiter touches your chart. Jupiter's energy is one of expansion--that also applies to the waistline if you overindulge.

These shifts happen within 24 hours of Wednesday's new moon, telling us that this month's lunar cycle is bringing an energy shift and signaling that summer is truly over.

Lastly, Mercury turns direct this weekend. Yes, it will be safe to put your toes in the water and sign documents especially as it picks up speed by mid-week. That is when you will get a better feel of the effect of the energy changes upon you.

Say Good-bye to Summer -- The Sun is in Virgo

Perhaps you have already noticed... the hours of daylight are growing shorter, the nights are cooler, a critical eye reveals that summer is on the wane.

Another signal of summer's coming departure is that the Sun will enter the third of its summer signs at 1:27 am Eastern tomorrow (Monday). 

The third of a season's sign is always mutable and Virgo is no exception. Mutable signs act as a bridge--helping us adapt to the changing conditions soon to come with the new season. Mutable energy is adaptive energy--our task is to let go of the waning seasons energy. And true to that spirit, 'back-to-school' advertising is everywhere.

Virgo is an earth sign. Earth signs are practical--they help us look at ourselves and our environment pragmatically and help us focus on the day-to-day details that are necessary for functioning in a physical world.

So take Leo's flamboyant schemes and find the workable core in them. Bring them down to earth so that they can yield whatever practical value they contain.

Now that Mercury is also retrograde now, it is a good time to go back and attend to niggling details that have to be addressed sooner or later. So that means reviewing bookkeeping, editing records... you get the idea.

Clean Up and Start Fresh

Venus has been pummeled since it entered Libra this past Friday.

Immediately upon its entrance, it touched off the Cardinal T-square, that mess we've been living with all summer. Saturday it opposed Uranus, yesterday it conjoined Saturn, today it opposes Jupiter and squares Pluto. 

What do women want? asked Sigmund Freud. But that question could be applied to any troublesome individual or group with whom you are having some kind of relationship in your life right now and we're not just talking about lovers.

When the Universe sets things up like this, you have to look at the entire sequence of events. You are being asked to explore questions of freedom versus commitment, a temptation to overreach and underlying all of it, the necessity to get to the bottom of dynamics driving the troublesome interaction.

In a nutshell, quit messing around, it is time to get serious.

If the relationship has been limping along with no realistic prospects for resuscitation in sight, now is a good time to ditch it. Or at the very least insist on a top-to-bottom overhaul. 

And then let the chips fall where they may.

Pluto is heartless that way.

It is significant that these Venus transits are taking place just on the eve of the new moon. Every new moon is an opportunity for a fresh start. And this one is in the sign of creativity and romance.

So the message is clear. Clean house, get rid of the bum, and start over with a fresh slate.