Author: Margaret Lassiter

Astro Doings March-April 2025

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Hi Everyone

Hope you are having a good winter so far. This spring promises to be an active one, at least astrologically speaking.

March

Hang onto your hat! March is going to be very busy with planets changing direction and sign and two eclipses. So let’s take them in order.

1st: Venus begins her retrograde motion at 7:36 p.m. at 100 Aries. Any time a planet changes direction it sits on the degree it was on when the change began before it starts the new motion. Sort of like a fan that changes direction. So Venus will be at 100 Aries for about a week. When a planet is retrograde, we tend to experience the energy more inwardly. Venus doesn’t like to be in Aries – it’s Mars’s sign, but maybe we can put more energy (Aries) into loving ourselves and each other (Venus retrograde).

14th: Total Lunar eclipse: 230 Virgo. This eclipse will be visible in the US – if the sky is clear and if you’re a night owl! It begins just before midnight and ends at 6 a.m. This eclipse is about service and letting go of old patterns. For those with planets or other points in the charts at late degrees Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius and of course Virgo may feel the impact of this eclipse more fully.

15th: Mercury begins his first retrograde period of 2025 at 2:46 a.m. He’ll be at 90 Aries and will back into Pisces at the very end of the month. Just a reminder that a Mercury retrograde is a great time to repair anything and also to retreat and regroup, but be sure to read any contracts very, very carefully before you sign.

20th: Vernal Equinox, the Sun enters Aries. The Sun will join Mercury, Venus and Chiron in Mars’s sign. Aries initiates, but doesn’t always finish and generally has lots of enthusiasm. But like all cardinal signs (Libra, Cancer and Capricorn are the others) its energy is like a flash in the pan and it’s gone. All fire signs are on a quest of some kind and Aries’ quest is for Self.  Like Jason and the Argonauts, the myth most closely associated with Aries, Aries likes to “travel” with a band of like-minded people.

29th: Partial Solar eclipse: 90 Aries. It will be visible in the Northeast and will last four hours. Solar eclipses are about powerful new beginnings. Those with placements in early degrees Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn may be more aware of this energy. It could also bring a powerful burst of new energy to everyone.

30th:  Neptune enters Aries. There’s a lot of Aries energy this March! Now the planet of illusion, spirituality, addiction, escapism has joined the Aries club, leaving the sign she rules (Pisces) where she’s been since 2011. (She’ll head back into Pisces in October and return to Aries in January 2026.) When one of the outer planets changes signs, this is a big deal and a big shift in energy. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what implications it has.

April

Phew! Made it through March!! April is quieter.

7th: Mercury ends his retrograde period. He’ll be at 260 Pisces and he’ll move back into Aries on the 16th.  Interesting to note that Mercury will be next to Saturn, Venus and trine Mars when he changes direction. A lot of water which has to do with emotion. . .

12th: Venus ends her retrograde period also. She’ll be at 240 Pisces and won’t enter Aries until the 30th.

18th: Mars enters Leo at 12:21 a.m. Leo is a fire sign and will be trine Neptune in Aries and opposed Pluto in Aquarius.  There’s a lot of water (emotion) and fire (enthusiasm, volatile) energy this month and not a lot of air (ideas).  Of course, water and fire don’t get along very well and frequently cancel each other out.

19th: Sun enters Taurus at 3:56 p.m. The only other planet in earth is Uranus (also in Taurus).  Not a lot of practicality or grounded energy, but maybe Taurus will slow down the frenetic pace of March with some practical solutions and an increased concern for Mother Earth!

Hope you have a wonderful early spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January – February 2025

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Happy New Year, Everyone!

I hope you had wonderful holidays and that 2025 brings many blessings to you.

January and February bring some change in direction for a couple of planets and by the end of February there will be no planets in retrograde motion!

January

We begin the month with the Sun, Mercury and Uranus in earth signs – practical, deliberate, not rushing into anything. We have Venus, Saturn and Neptune in water – a lot of emotion and three planets are in Pisces, the sign of faith, addiction, illusion and disillusion. I should mention that Pisces is the sign of Venus’ “exaltation.” Sounds neat, eh? Well, Venus is the planet of love and in Pisces she has an opportunity to express her love beyond one-on-one relationships. At the beginning of the month we also have Mars in Leo opposed Pluto in Aquarius. Both planets are in fixed (read stubborn) signs, so the New New Year could start off with power struggles, the same as we saw at the end of December.  Mars will retrograde back into Cancer on the 7th, and while it will still be opposed Pluto, it won’t be as strong.

Finally we get some air in here on the 19th when the Sun enters Aquarius, joining Jupiter in Gemini and Pluto in Aquarius. Mercury goes into Aquarius on the 27th and we have a new moon in Aquarius on the 29th. She’ll be a 90. Aquarius is the sign of the innovator, rebel and visionary. It can also be said of Aquarians that they can be quite aloof, cold and disinterested. But air is the element of ideas, and Pluto promises the beginning of new ideas, as well as breakdown of old, deeply held ideas, and Jupiter in ever-curious Gemini will keep the conversation going.

Uranus goes direct at 11:22 a.m. on the 30th. He’ll be at 230 Taurus. Uranus is the planet of the higher mind and is also the ruler of Aquarius. We can hope that any new ideas that arise during this period will be beneficial to mankind and Mother Earth and that they will be practical (Taurus).

The Full Moon occurs on the 13th at 240 Cancer.

February

Jupiter and Mars change direction in February and by the end of the month there will be no planets in retrograde motion. So charge ahead with all the understanding and insights gathered during retrograde periods! It won’t last long. Two planets station retrograde in early March. . . . Otherwise February is pretty quiet.

On the 4th Jupiter changes directions at 110 Gemini, moving in the same direction as the Sun, Mercury and Venus in air signs. And on the 23rd Mars changes directions at 170 Cancer, going direct with the Sun, Saturn and Neptune in water signs.

Water and air generally make fog, but water can soften the seeming hardness of the airy realm of ideas.  It can also confuse the issue. We’ll have to see how this plays out. The US is a Sun-sign Cancer country with several placements in the sign in the area of foreign policy and foreign investments. It will be interesting to see how these planetary placements influence activities in these areas. Remember, the stars impel, they don’t compel.

The Full Moon occurs on the 12th at 8:53 a.m. She’ll be at 240 Leo. The New Moon occurs on the 27th at 3:46 a.m. She’ll be at 90 Pisces.

Hope you have a wonderful start to 2025.

Peace and abundant blessings, Margaret

Astro Doings November – December 2024

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Hi Everyone

Hard to believe that this is the last Astro Doings for 2024. In the last two months of the year, Saturn and Neptune end their retrograde periods, Pluto changes signs, and we have the last Mercury retrograde.

November

The month begins with a New Moon at 90 Scorpio. At the same time, we have a complicated, closed figure, called a kite. Mercury, Neptune and Mars all trine (easy flow of energy) at very late degrees of their respective water signs (Scorpio, Pisces and Cancer), making a big triangle. And Pluto in Capricorn is sextile (opportunity) to the ends of the triangle, sort of “flying” the kite. There is a lot of emotion with this much water. Pluto in earthy Capricorn provides some boundaries although it could also suggest that emotions are impacting our values (Pluto in the 2nd house of the US chart) and institutions (Capricorn). Since all four planets are at late degrees of the signs they’re in (28-29 degrees) this suggests an ending of some sort powered by emotion. I would refer you to the Quality of Time article on the Astrodienst website (astro.com) for further information. Suffice it to say that when a figure is closed in astrology it generally means that the energy has a hard time expressing itself, sort of like a balloon filled with air that can’t get out. It can feel rather frustrating. Mercury will move out of orb, dissolving the kite, by November 10.

On the 3rd and 4th, Mercury and Mars move into fire signs (Sagittarius and Leo respectively). Fire is enthusiastic, volatile and inspired; it can warm you or burn you. This change of sign also weakens the kite although the planets are still in orb. But fire and water/earth don’t mix well, adding to the charged nature of the energy at this time.

On the 19th Pluto leaves Capricorn for good, entering Aquarius at 3:29 p.m. Aquarius is a fixed (aka stubborn) air sign and likes to operate in the realm of ideas, especially those that are visionary and potentially beneficial to all. We are in the Aquarian age of brotherhood. With Pluto entering this sign, we can anticipate (over its long transit through the sign – through 2044) changes, innovation and upheaval as we hopefully come to truly recognize that we are all one. Aquarians, by the way, are all about change as long as they don’t have to make any personal changes.

The Sun enters Sagittarius (another fire sign) on the 21st at 2:56 p.m. and Mercury starts his last retrograde of the year on the 25th at 9:42 p.m. He’ll be at 220 Sagittarius.

The Full Moon occur on the 15th at 4:28 p.m. She’ll be at 240 Taurus. This is the same day that Saturn stations direct at 9:20 a.m. at 120 Pisces. Pisces is the sign with two fish swimming in opposite directions unaware of the other one.  It is the sign of addiction and faith – quite a contrast. Saturn provides structure and limitation and asks us to examine our attitudes toward the sign he’s in. He represents the father and all authority figures.

December

Like November, December begins with a New Moon at 90 Sagittarius. Unlike November, December also ends with a second New Moon on the 30th. (See below.) The beginning of the month also features two planets changing direction: Mars and Neptune. Mars, the planet of war, stations retrograde on the 6th at 7:01 p.m. He’ll be at 60 Leo, opposed Pluto in Aquarius. On the 7th Neptune stations direct at 6:43 p.m. She’ll be at 270 Pisces, along with Saturn. When a planet changes direction, it stops and sits on the zodiac degree where it “stations,” aka stops before changing direction. It pulses there and if it’s near a point or planet in your chart it can really emphasize it.  Venus enters Aquarius on the 7th at 1:13 a.m., joining Pluto. It will be interesting to see how the planet of Love (Venus) works with the planet of the underground and deep-seated changed (Pluto). Pluto is named for the Roman god of the underworld (or Disney’s dog, whichever you prefer.) However, the energy of this planet of deep transformation is feminine. So we have two feminine energy planets in the male air sign, Aquarius.  Should be fun to watch, unless of course you have placements in early degrees Aquarius (or Leo or Taurus or Scorpio)!

Mercury ends his retrograde motion on 15th at 3:56 p.m. Yippeee!  He’ll be at 60 Sagittarius. The Full Moon is also on the 15th at 9:32 a.m. She’ll be at 230 Gemini.

The Winter Solstice occurs on the 21st when the Sun enters Capricorn at 4:21a.m. From then on the days get longer! Capricorn, an earth sign, is the sign of the status quo. The second New Moon occurs on the 30th at 5:27 p.m. She’ll be a 90 Capricorn.

I hope you have wonderful holidays and all the best in 2025!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings September – October 2024

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Hi Everyone

Hope you all had a good July and August. September and October have a lot of water and air energy with little fire and earth.  If you think about these pairs together you can see that they don’t get along very well. If you mix water and air, you get fog, or you get the battle between thought (air) and emotion (water).  And fire (enthusiasm, inspiration) and earth (practical, slow moving) are very effective ways to reduce the potential impact of the other.  Each month has an eclipse – the last pair of 2024, but their impact may last into 2025. Let’s look at each month in more detail.

September

The month starts with four planets moving in retrograde motion: Saturn, Uranus, who stations retrograde on the 1st, Neptune and Pluto. Uranus and Pluto are in earth signs (Taurus and Capricorn respectively), and Saturn and Neptune are in watery Pisces. Earth and water do well together: water softens earth and earth gives water some needed boundaries. When planets are retrograde, we tend to feel their energy more inwardly. So far, so good. On the 4th Mars joins the water brigade, entering Cancer with an easy flow of energy to Saturn and Neptune in Pisces. Mars, the warrior, is uncomfortable in the watery, moody, emotional sign Cancer, ruled by the Moon. His fiery nature become much more subdued or, on the flip side, he could tend toward emotional outbursts.

If we were excited last month about a full blue moon, which was a super moon, how about a super moon eclipse? (A super moon, as it is called, is when the moon is closest to the earth and so appears larger in our skies.) On the 17th there is a partial lunar eclipse at 250 Pisces. We will be able to see it in the US. It starts at 8:40 p.m., and the best view will be at 10:45 p.m. It ends just after midnight, lasting about 4 hours, which means the potential impact of the eclipse will last about 4 months. A lunar eclipse is generally about being of service and also ending attitudes, beliefs, or emotional states that no longer serve us. Those with planets or other points in their charts at late degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius may feel the impact of this energy more strongly than others. For those with placements in the other water signs, Cancer and Scorpio, this may be an easier release of feelings (emotions) which no longer serve our spiritual growth. The New Moon occurs on the 2nd at 110 Virgo.

The Autumnal Equinox, when the Sun enters Libra, occurs on the 22nd at 8:44 a.m. Libra is an air sign and is the only sign whose symbol is an inanimate object – the scales. Libra seeks balance. (It rarely has it – it’s more like a teeter-totter.) It also seeks fairness. It can seek fairness (or balance) by taking the opposite position from yours – to create balance, you see.

Also on the 22nd, Venus enters Scorpio, adding a little more water to the mix. We now have 4 planets in water. Glug, glug or emotions will be running the show.

October

October starts with a solar eclipse on the 2nd. Both Sun and Moon will be at 100 Libra.  We will not be able to see this annular solar eclipse in the US.  It will last about 5 hours, which means its impact will last about 5 months. Those with Libra, Aries, Cancer or Capricorn placements in their charts (from about 7-130) may be more impacted by this eclipse. A solar eclipse can signify new beginnings and/or new ways of being and thinking with a new influx of energy.  Remember that Libra is about relationship and balance, but it is an air sign, so it thinks about these things. Libra isn’t always good at either when it comes to the practical side of relationships or balance.

Interestingly this eclipse is very near Saturn (the executive) in the US Sibley chart and could still be in “effect” at the time of the election in November. It also widely squares (a challenging relationship) the Sun in Cancer in the US chart.  And water and air generally don’t mix well.

On the 9th, Jupiter changes directions and starts his retrograde period. He’ll be at 210 Gemini. Jupiter is considered to be the planet of “good luck,” faith and expansion – fine if it’s not my waistline! His retrograde motion may delay or hinder his normal optimism. It may also be a time when we examine more closely what we believe.

On the 11th, Pluto ends his retrograde motion, but will remain at 290 Capricorn through the end of the month, sitting on top of Pluto in the US chart in our house of values (and money). Pluto rules deep-seated change, and Capricorn is the sign that rules systems, corporations, and the status quo. It is also a deeply spiritual sign, with its symbol (the goat) climbing steadily up the mountain of spiritual growth.

On the 17th Venus moves into Sagittarius and will be the only planet in fire. So there may not be much enthusiasm or inspiration. Being the only planet in fire, Venus has no one to “play” with in the heavens, and she likes to make connections.

The Sun moves into Scorpio on the 22nd at 6:15 p.m. – more water!! The Full Moon occurs on the 17th at 240 Aries.

I hope you have a great start to your fall!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July – August 2024

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Hi Everyone

Hope you’re having a good summer so far. July and August look pretty quiet with the planets moving as they have been, dancing to the music of the heavens.

Saturn and Pluto continue their retrograde motion without changing signs. Saturn remains in Pisces, and Pluto is in early degrees Aquarius.

Neptune stations retrograde on July 2 at 6:40 a.m. at 290. She’ll remain in Pisces until 2025.

Mercury moves into Virgo at the end of July, Venus into Leo in mid-July and Mars into Gemini towards the end, joining Jupiter in that sign.

Mercury goes retrograde on August 5th. He’ll be at 40 Virgo. He stations direct on August 28th at 210 Leo. Venus moves into Virgo in early August and edges into Libra at the end of the month.

New Moons: July 5th; August 4th

Full Moons: July 21st; August 19th

Hope you have a wonderful summer!

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret

Astro Doings May-June 2024

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Hi Everyone

May and June promise to be much quieter than April has been, which could be a relief. It could also mean not a lot of forward movement.

May

May begins with two planets in fire (Aries): Mercury and Mars. Mars will stay in Aries all month and mid-month he will be the only planet in a fire sign. Everyone else will be in earth (Taurus) or water (Pisces).  Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Uranus will be in Taurus until the Sun moves into Gemini on the 20th. That’s a lot of Taurean energy. Taurus is an earth sign, the most slow moving of all the signs so there’s not likely to be much change. It is said that Taurus is rarely parted from their seat or their opinion. Taurus is represented by the bull, who, when stung by a bee, charges around like the proverbial bull in a China shop. So, we may see some of that frenetic energy without much direction. Otherwise our bull like to placidly chew on his grass in the sunshine. 

Uranus and Saturn continue their transit of Pisces. Pisces is a changeable water sign, moving with mood changes like water moves in a stream – or the ocean – depending on the strength of the emotion. It does soften earth, but Pisces has a very difficult time dealing with mundane affairs and would prefer to escape those nasty details through dreams or drugs or both.

On the 20th the Sun enters Gemini – an air sign that likes to explore and experience as much as possible in a five-minute period. Gemini bores easily and flits from thing to thing, trying to experience as much as possible. The quality of its energy is the same as Pisces (mutable), which means changeable, free flowing and multi-talented.  The Sun is joined by Venus (on the 23rd) and Jupiter (on the 25th). With Gemini energy there can be a lot of talk but not much doing, but the element of air feels lighter than the heaviness of earthy Taurus. There may also be a lot of new ideas, which come and go very quickly.

The New Moon occurs at 11:22 p.m. on May 7th at 180 Taurus. The Full Moon occurs at 9:53 a.m. on the 23rd. She’ll be at 20 Sagittarius.

June

There are no planets in fire in June. Fire is the element that initiates and is enthusiastic, if often impulsive.

We start the month with four planets in Gemini (Sun, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter).  A lot of talk, exploration of ideas, but not much movement. These planets are in an easy flow of Pluto in Aquarius, another air sign. Aquarius is the sign of the inventor, so some of the ideas floating around could be revolutionary.

The Summer Solstice occurs on June 20th – the longest day of the year – when the Sun enters Cancer. Cancer is a water sign and will get along very well with Saturn and Neptune in Pisces. Cancer is about home, hearth, and is generally quite shy. (By the way, the United States and Canada are both sun-sign Cancer countries.) The Sun is joined by Mercury and Venus (both on the 17th). There’s a lot of water (emotion) going on this month with five planets in this element, which can be very fluid and changeable.

Saturn changes direction (goes retrograde) at 3:07 p.m. on the 29th. He’ll be at 190 Pisces. Planets in retrograde tend to be more focused internally.

The New Moon occurs at 8:38 a.m. on the 6th. She’ll be at 160 Gemini. The Full Moon occurs at 9:08 p.m. on the 21st. She’ll be at 10 Capricorn.

Have a good spring and early summer!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings March – April 2024

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Hi Everyone

March and April bring the first eclipses of 2024, which will be visible across much of the US.  You can find out about the astronomy of these eclipses online. I’ll comment on the astrology of them.

March

March begins with three planets in the air sign, Aquarius: Venus, Mars and Pluto. By the end of the month there will be only one planet in air (Pluto). Air is the element of communication, ideas and relationships. By the end of the month there will be four planets in watery Pisces: Venus, Mars, Saturn and Neptune. Water is the element of emotions and intuition. Fortunately Jupiter and Uranus are in Taurus, an earth sign, which may provide some boundaries to watery Pisces. All planets are in direct motion in March – no retrogrades. A sort of what you see is what you get feel.

The Vernal Equinox occurs on the 19th at 11:06 p.m. when the Sun enters Aries. Aries is a fire sign that likes to initiate but doesn’t always finish what it starts. This also marks the astrological new year.

The New Moon occurs on the 10th at 5:00 a.m. She’ll be at 200 Pisces. The first eclipse of the year occurs on March 23rd at 3:00 a.m. The Moon will be at 50 Libra. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are opposed each other (a Full Moon).  This penumbral lunar eclipse will last about 4 hours and will be visible in the US, but it may be rather hard to see. This eclipse is focused on service and, on a personal level, can provide an opportunity to release old patterns. Those with placements at early degrees in Libra, Aries, Cancer or Capricorn may feel the impact of this energy more than others. For other air signs, it will be an easier flow of energy and opportunity for change.

April

April begins not only with April Fool’s Day but also the beginning of a three-week Mercury retrograde. Everyone’s favorite, right? But it can be a time for reflection and retooling. This may be a bit more challenging since Aries energy (and the energy of spring in general) wants to move forward, but the retrograde (moving backwards) tends to slow things down. Mercury will be at 270 Aries – perhaps a time to tune into our inner warrior. Mercury ends his retrograde period on April 25th at 8:54 a.m. He’ll be at 150 Aries.

The total Solar eclipse occurs on April 8th, when the Sun and Moon are at the same degree – 190 Aries. It will last about 5 hours, which means that this will be a sensitive point for 5 months – if it impacts your chart. Again, those with placements near 19 degrees in Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn may feel the impact of this energy more than others. This eclipse brings a lot of new energy with it, which can be disconcerting if you’re not ready for it. The Full Moon occurs on April 23rd at 40 Scorpio.

There is a lot of energy that impacts Aries this year – the solar eclipse and a Mercury retrograde. There can be a lot of initiatives with no follow-through; there can also be war, since Mars (the god of war) rules Aries. We may feel more impulsive, reckless and war-like. In its highest expression Aries is the quest for our spiritual selves, and we may put more energy into that quest than we have in the past. But it may feel a little bumpy this April. Saturn and Uranus are in the most slow moving of all the signs, Taurus, which may impact the Aries energy, adding to the more muted feel of Aries this year, but also bringing some practicality and deliberation to our Aries activities!

Have a wonderful Spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January – February 2024

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Happy New Year!

It’s hard to believe that we’re starting another year, but I wish you all the best in 2024. I think the biggest energetic change in the early part of 2024 is the return of the element of air into the planetary mix.  In January and February the element will be represented by Aquarius – the rebel, who hates the status quo. Air is the element of ideas, communication and relationship.

January

The New Year begins with the end of Mercury’s retrograde motion. He’ll station direct on New Year’s Day at 10:08 p.m. He’ll be at 220 Sagittarius – an optimistic, fire sign full of new ideas, but not necessarily a lot of follow through.

During the month there will be up to 5 planets in Capricorn (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Pluto). Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of restriction, delay and lack, but also the planet of spiritual growth. I’ve talked a lot about Capricorn in 2023 – the sign of the status quo, systems and institutions.

However, the Sun enters Aquarius on the 20th, bringing innovation, rebellion and finally some air into the mix. And a few hours later, Pluto enters Aquarius. This is big deal as the planet of transformation and deep-seated understanding leaves Capricorn (an earth sign) and begins to transform the realm of communication and ideas.  And a week later, on the 27th at 2:35 a.m., the ruler of Aquarius, Uranus, stations direct. He’ll be at 190 Taurus, an earth sign that is considered to be one of the most stubborn signs of the zodiac, but also one very involved in the well-being of Mother Earth. Uranus in Taurus will be in a challenging relationship to the planets in Aquarius, both are fixed (read stubborn) signs, but Uranus in Taurus will provide a practical lens to some of the more hairbrained ideas that Aquarius might come up with. Aquarius wants change – no matter what, but not personal change. Don’t ask an Aquarian to change the way s/he does thing! Aquarius’s vision for change is on a global scale for humanity at large.

The first New Moon of the year occurs on the 11th at 6:57 a.m. She’ll be at 200 Capricorn. The Full Moon occurs on the 25th at 12:54 p.m. she’ll be at 50 Leo.

February

There will be 4 planets in Aquarius during the month – Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars.  It’s important to remember that Aquarius can be rather aloof. It is also a fixed sign. When it gets an idea it can be a challenge to get an Aquarian to see another point of view.  And while their vision is of humanity as a whole, they can find people rather annoying, especially if their views do not agree.

The other interesting thing about this short month is that there are no retrograde planets. So this can be a time of expressing that which was learned during the long retrograde periods of 2023. Time will tell. . . . . It is also a leap year.

So, Mercury then Mars and then Venus enter Aquarius and are next to Pluto in very early degrees.  Oh, yes, the whole bunch will be in a challenging relationship (square) to Jupiter in Taurus, a very practical, slow-moving earth sign. Again, the opportunity to bring a practical lens (Taurus) to Aquarius’ innovative ideas of how to improve things.

The Sun enters Pisces on the 18th at 11:13 p.m.  I talked a lot about Pisces last year as Neptune transits the sign (and will continue to do so in 2024). The New Moon occurs on the 9th at 5:59 p.m. She’ll be at 200 Aquarius. The Full Moon occurs on the 24th at 7:30 a.m. She’ll be at 50 Virgo.

I hope you have a wonderful start to the New Year!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings November – December 2023

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Hi Everyone

It’s hard to believe that this is the last Astro Doings for 2023. Seems like I was writing the first one just yesterday! We have some planets changing direction during November and December but still end up with three planets in retrograde motion by the end of 2023.

November

This month begins with 4 planets in retrograde (i.e. moving from west to east by our perception.) They are Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and they’ve been retrograde for several months. There are three planets in water (Mars, Saturn and Neptune) and three planets in earth (Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto). There is only on planet in an air sign – Venus in Libra.

In addition, Sun/Mars in Scorpio oppose Jupiter/Uranus in Taurus. Both Taurus and Scorpio are fixed signs, meaning their energy can feel stubborn, slow-moving but sustaining. Opinions at this time can be deeply entrenched and compromise is hard to find with opposing fixed signs. Scorpio sees deeply and understands and uses power. Taurus finds change almost impossible, although it can be more easily focused on Mother Earth and earthly concerns. The energy during this time may seem stalled. When the Sun, Mercury and Mars enter Sagittarius, a mutable fire sign, towards the last third of the month, the relationship with Jupiter and Uranus will change. Now, Sun, Mercury and Mars are in an incompatible sign (fire) with Jupiter and Uranus (earth). In addition the quality of Sagittarius (mutable, changeable, restless) does not easily get along with the fixed (stubborn, sustaining) energy of Taurus.  And there is only one planet in air (the sign of ideas, relationships), and that’s Venus in Libra. So we’re not likely to see any new ideas or any ideas about relating to one another.

Saturn is the first planet to change directions. He’ll station direct on November 4 at 3:03 a.m. EDT. He’s at 00 Pisces. When a planet changes directions it tends to stop and pulse energy on the degree (and sign) that it’s in. Saturn is also at what we call a critical degree of a sign. In this case it’s at the beginning of Pisces, a watery sign – intuitive, psychic, often overwhelmed by this plane – and it is considered the sign of faith. Pisces people have a very difficult time with this plane. Saturn here may provide structure to our faith or inhibit it in some way.

Otherwise, November is pretty quiet. The Sun enters Sagittarius on the 22nd at 9:03 a.m. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, optimism and general good fortune. Sagittarians tend to look before they leap and speak before they think. Overall they are seeking truth in all its forms. The US chart (Sibley) has Sagittarius rising and these characteristics of the American psyche may be more evident with the Sun in Sag.

The New Moon occurs on November 13th at 4:27 a.m. She’ll be at 200 Scorpio. The Full Moon occurs on November 27th 4:16 a.m. She’ll be at 40 Sagittarius.

December

December is a little bit more active with three planets changing direction. And more planets are in water and earth, which are compatible elements. There will be no planets in air in December, as Venus enters Scorpio early in the month.

The first direction change is Neptune on December 6 at 8:20 a.m. EST. She’ll be at 240 Pisces. She’s been retrograde for 5 months and in Pisces since 2012. Perhaps with this change of direction, our faith will be stronger and our fog clearer!

The second is everyone’s favorite – Mercury. This is the last Mercury retrograde of the year – yipppeee! He’ll station retrograde on December 13th at 2:09 a.m., and he’ll be at 80 Capricorn. He’ll back into Sagittarius on the 23rd.  And yes, we’ll begin 2024 with Mercury retrograde.

And last, but certainly not least, Jupiter stations direct on the 30th at 9:40 p.m. He’ll be at 50 Taurus.

The Winter Solstice, when the Sun enters Capricorn, occurs on December 21st at 10:27 p.m. At that point we’ll have 5 planets in earth – Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto – a time for practical solutions and perhaps a focus on our beloved planet! There will be 3 planets in water: Venus, Saturn and Neptune.

The New Moon occurs on December 12. She’ll be at 200 Sagittarius. The Full Moon occurs on December 26th at 7:32 p.m. She’ll be at 40 Cancer.

I hope you have wonderful holidays and the very best in the New Year! I’ll see you in January.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings September- October 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you had a wonderful summer! September and October are going to be busy with planets changing direction, lots of retrograde planets and eclipses.

September

September begins as August ended with six retrograde planets:  Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Five planets are in earth signs until the Equinox and all the qualities are represented (cardinal, fixed and mutable). The Sun and Mercury are in Virgo; Jupiter and Uranus are in Taurus; and Pluto in Capricorn. That’s a lot of earth energy – grounded, practical, slow-moving, and/or determined. We have two planets in water: Saturn and Neptune are in Pisces, the sign of faith, fog, illusion, and escapism. Mars is the only planet in an air sign (Libra), the element of ideas and the sign of relationship. Venus is the only planet in a fire sign (Leo), the element of passion, grandeur, and a sense of unworthiness.

September 3-4

Venus is the first planet to end her retrograde motion on the 3rd at 9:20 p.m. EDT. She’ll be at 120 Leo. On the 4th Jupiter, the planet of expansion and good fortune, stations retrograde at 10:10 a.m. He’ll be at 150 Taurus, next to Uranus. Neither of these planets are comfortable in slow-moving earthbound Taurus, but she is the sign most closely associated with Mother Earth, property, and possessions. Uranus invites us to change our outmoded thinking and attitudes. In retrograde motion, Jupiter may slow down our tendency to leap before we look and our “good fortune” may seem slower to arrive during this period. When a planet changes direction, it sits on the degree of the sign it is in when the direction change occurs. Outer planets tend to sit on that degree for a long time; inner planets start moving again more quickly. When this change of direction is near a placement in your natal chart, it can bring intense energy there.

September 15

Mercury ends his retrograde motion at 4:21 p.m. He’ll be at 80 Virgo. Mercury is comfortable in Virgo, as he likes to categorize and analyze and be very busy thinking about things.  But then, of course, there’s analysis paralysis!

September 23

The Sun enters Libra at 2:50 a.m. This is the Autumnal Equinox. He joins Mars in Libra, the air sign of balance and relationship. Libra tends to want peace at any price and generally has extremes of energy – moving rapidly or not at all.  It is ruled by Venus, the planet of love. Mars is not happy in this sign of balance as he wants to charge ahead into battle. Mars often doesn’t take into consideration the opinions of others, which Libra always wants to balance.

But it can be a good thing for the God of War to be in the sign ruled by the planet associated with Love (Venus) – a different kind of balance.  

The New Moon occurs on September 14th. She’ll be at 210 Virgo. The Full Moon occurs on the 27th. She’ll be at 60 Aries.

October

October features the last two eclipses of the year and five planets in water towards the end of the month (Sun, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Neptune). Water is the element of emotions and sensitivity – and also floods and rain or lack of water. It will be a switch from all the earth in September, but water softens earth, so perhaps entrenched ideas and patterns may soften. Or we’ll have a lot of rain and be over emotional!  It can go either (or both) ways. . ..

October 10

Pluto ends her retrograde motion at 9:10 p.m. She’ll be at 270 Capricorn. She’s been retrograde since May. (A note about pronouns when referring to Pluto. The planet was named for the god of the underworld, but its energy is feminine. So I’ve chosen to use she and her when referred to Pluto.) When an outer planet changes direction it can signal a time when the lessons learned during the retrograde (introspective) period are more visible and insights are acted upon.

October 14

There will be an annular solar eclipse, which is often referred to as the Ring of Fire. It will be visible from Oregon to Texas in its totality in the US.  Other parts of the US will be able to see part of the eclipse. It will last about five hours, and the Sun will be at 210 Libra. This eclipse occurs rather close to Saturn in the US chart, which is at 140 Libra, representing the executive and to some degree our position in the world. This eclipse is about service and payback, especially in the area of relationships of all kinds – to each other and to the planet.

October 28

This is a partial lunar eclipse that will be visible mostly in Europe and Africa, but some parts of the eastern US will be able to view part of it before the Moon drops below the horizon. It will last about four hours. The moon will be at 50 Taurus. Lunar eclipses generally signal the beginning of an ending of a pattern and occur on a full moon. (Solar eclipses occur at a new moon.) The Moon is said to be exalted in Taurus, meaning that here she is closely involved with the world of form and Mother Earth. The Moon also represents our emotional nature, and Taurus tends to hang on to everything and anything longer than is necessary or healthy. This eclipse may represent a time to let go of what is no longer serving all of us in the way we feel (key word) about things and each other. The Moon will be opposed to Mercury and Mars in Scorpio – think teeter totter/balance. Emotions will also be running very deep and sometimes secretively.

The Sun enters Scorpio on October 23rd at 3:04 p.m.

Happy Fall, everyone!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret