Astro Doings November-December 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

It seems hard to believe that I’m writing the last Astro Doings for 2019, but here we go.

November

Two planets station direct in November: Mercury and Neptune. Mercury ends his last retrograde for this year on the 20th at 2:12 p.m. He’ll be at 110 Scorpio and will remain in Scorpio for the rest of the month and into early December. Communication and travel may become easier, although our thinking (Mercury) may be clouded (influenced) by our emotions and in some instances a quest for power (Scorpio). We may also think (Mercury) more deeply (Scorpio) and stay attached to our attitudes and opinions, since Scorpio is a fixed (stubborn) sign.

Neptune ends her five-month retrograde on the 27th at 7:33 a.m. She’ll be at 150 Pisces. Neptune has been in Pisces, the sign she rules, for a long time. Neptune rules fog and illusion and Pisces finds navigating this plane very challenging. However, Neptune also rules compassion and redemption, and Pisces seeks to merge with something greater than the personal self. Neptune squares (challenging relationship) the Ascendant of the US (Sibley) chart, at 120 Sagittarius. It could represent a softening of how we present ourselves to the world, or it could contribute to a lack of clarity on how we present to the world and who we believe ourselves to be – or both!

Saturn and Pluto continue to “run” together in Capricorn with an easy flow of energy from Uranus in Taurus. Mars will oppose Uranus when he enters Scorpio on the 19th. In general, an opposition calls for balance between the planets and the signs they’re in. When the Sun enters Sagittarius, a mutable, fire sign, on the 22nd he will join Jupiter in adding some fire to the mix of earth and water. Once again, we have no energy in air, the element of ideas.

The Full Moon occurs on the 12th at 190 Taurus and the New Moon occurs on the 16th at 40 Sagittarius.

December

The year ends as it began with a solar eclipse. This annular eclipse occurs on the 26th at 40 Capricorn, opposed Venus and Jupiter in the US Chart.  Those with planets 3 degrees on either side of the eclipse in Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra may feel the impact of this opportunity for new beginnings for service. The eclipse will last about five and half hours but will not be visible in the US.

Jupiter enters Capricorn on the second. By the end of the month we’ll have five planets in this earth sign, ruled by Saturn, which is focused on the status quo, systems and in its highest expression, spiritual growth.

The Winter Solstice occurs on the 21st when the Sun enters Capricorn at 11:20 p.m. From here the light begins to return slowly as the days get increasingly longer. The Full Moon occurs on the 12th at midnight. She’ll 190 Gemini. There is no New Moon in December, but there is a lunar eclipse to start the New Year, so stay tuned!

I hope you have a joyous holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings September-October 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hard to believe that we’re heading into fall. Where did the summer go? September and October promise to be rather quiet, with a couple of planets changing direction.

September

The most striking thing about September is that in the first half of the month, we will have seven of the 11 planets in earth: four in Virgo (Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars), two in Capricorn (Saturn and Pluto) and one in Taurus (Uranus). That’s a lot of earth energy – practical, systems focused, and potentially in tune with our beloved planet and her needs. Virgo is the sign of the harvest, and it is truly about the harvest of self into an integrated, healthy being. My favorite quote about Virgo is from Maya Angelou: “A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.” Virgo is often misunderstood, but to me that quotes sums up her essence. Oh yes, we’ll have two planets in fire (Chiron in Aries and Jupiter in Sagittarius), and Neptune is the only planet in water (Pisces). Once again, there are no planets in air, the realm of ideas.

Saturn ends his retrograde period on the 18th. He’ll be at 130 Capricorn, a very sensitive degree for cardinal signs and will remain there for most of the month. He is still next to (conjunct) Pluto and they are still transiting the house of values and resources in the US (Sibley) chart.

The Autumnal Equinox (aka when the Sun enters Libra) occurs on the 23rd at 3:51 a.m. The Harvest Moon occurs on the 14th and she’ll be at 210 Pisces. The New Moon occurs on the 28th at 280 Gemini.

October

October begins with Saturn’s traveling companion, Pluto, ending his retrograde period on the 3rd at 2:37 a.m. He’ll be at 200 Capricorn, where he’s been for a long time! However, this shift of direction, coupled with Saturn’s, could indicate that much of the inner work that has been done (inner or behind the scenes) will now express more openly and overtly. Capricorn has to do with structures, as you know, planning, and the status quo. Saturn has to do with authority figures, inner critics, and fathers in general.

Mars moves into Libra on the 4th. He’s not particularly happy to be in Venus’s sign of relationship, but may provide some energy, moving toward more balance and consideration of others (Libra).

The Sun moves into Scorpio on the 13th and there will be three planets in that sign: Sun, Mercury and Venus. The Full Moon occurs on the 13th at 200 Aries; the New Moon occurs on the 27th at 40 Scorpio.

And on the very last day of the month at 11:42 a.m. Mercury begins his last retrograde of 2019. He’ll be at 270 Scorpio. (Yes, yes. He goes direct on November 20th!) Happy Halloween!

Have a wonderful fall!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July-August 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the quiet of May and June. July is quite active with 2 eclipses and everyone’s favorite retrograde (Mercury). In August two planets change direction, so the rest of the summer will be active in the heavens!

July

July 2: Total Solar Eclipse at 3:16 p.m.

This eclipse will not be visible in the US or Canada. The Sun and Moon will be at 100 Cancer, since a solar eclipse occurs at a New Moon when both luminaries are in the same sign. Its impact or effect will last until transiting Saturn opposes the degree of the eclipse in September 2019, so three months. The totality of the eclipse lasts four minutes, 33 seconds, which the longest in six years. Those with planets from 7-130 in Cancer, Libra, Aries or Capricorn may feel the impact of this eclipse more than others. (Also, those with placements in the other water signs, Pisces and Scorpio.) Neptune in Pisces trines (easy flow) the eclipse, and Saturn and Pluto oppose it (balance). The Moon, the “Lord” of this eclipse, is in her own sign, so very powerful. Mothers, female authority figures, emotions, moodiness, home, hearth, loyalty to family and clan may be themes that come to the surface during this eclipse. An eclipse in water signs may also signify excessive rain, drug-related problems, wide-spread unrest, tidal waves, and destruction of things that live near or in the water. And it is emotionally driven. Not to be forgotten, Saturn is also in his own sign (Capricorn), opposing the Sun/Moon. Saturn represents restriction, lack, fear, fathers, authority figures of all types. So, there is a need to balance these two opposing principles. This solar eclipse is next to the north node of the Moon, also known as the Dragon Head, when talking about types of eclipses. A Dragon Head solar eclipse can lead to fresh opportunities, but it can also come as a surprise, which can be experienced at first as disruptive. (For more information about eclipses, I would recommend Celeste Teal’s book Eclipses.)

Of particular interest is that this eclipse also plays out on the world stage being conjunct (on top of) the Sun in US Chart (Sibley) and Canada’s, both being Sun sign Cancer countries. (Happy Canada Day to our good neighbors on July 1!) This eclipse also squares Saturn in Libra in the US chart, which represents the executive, and is in the 10th house of government and national prestige. The eclipse occurs in the eighth house in the US chart, which includes international finance, financial relations with other countries, and foreign investments.

July 7: Mercury Retrograde at 7:15 p.m.

Mercury will start his three-week retrograde period in Leo but will back into Cancer on July 19, joining the Sun and Venus in the sign of the Crab. You are now all experts on Mercury retrogrades as times of re-grouping, re-treating and re-thinking, so I’m not going to say anything more about that. Leo is the sign of the Divine (or not-so-divine) Child within, and Cancer is about sanctuary, home, hearth, and nourishment (not just physical). Remember that the Crab carries its house on its back, so your sanctuary is within you. Mercury stations direct on July 31st at 11:58 p.m. He’ll be at 230 Cancer, adding more energy to the lunar eclipse.

July 16: Lunar Eclipse at 5:38 p.m.

The Moon will be at 240 Capricorn. (Remember that lunar eclipses occur at a Full Moon, so the Sun is in Cancer.) This is a very powerful eclipse, as Saturn and Pluto will be next to (conjunct) the Moon. Because Pluto is nearer to the eclipse degree (it’s at 210) it becomes the Lord of this eclipse, instead of Capricorn’s ruler, Saturn. Remember that Pluto rules the underground, deep-seated transformation and power. This is a Dragon’s Tail eclipse, because the Moon is opposed to the north node, which is in Cancer. Eclipses in earth signs, especially Capricorn, are concerned with issues of the earth, including on a global stage, recessions, business, agricultural issues, drought, crop failures, earthquakes, etc. On a personal level, Capricorn can also be concerned about financial issues, security, and on a higher level, sure-footed progress climbing the mountain of spiritual development. Those with planets from 21-270 Capricorn, Cancer, Aries or Libra may feel the impact of this very powerful eclipse more than others – also the other earth signs: Virgo and Taurus. Its influence will continue until Saturn crosses over the degree of the eclipse in January 2020.

Once again, this eclipse impacts the US Chart. Transiting Pluto is coming very close to natal Pluto in the US Chart, which is at 270 Capricorn, and this eclipse is right on top of it. Pluto is in the second house in the US chart, which represents resources, both financial and natural, and a nation’s values. Pluto calls for a complete overhaul of whatever house it’s in – deep-seated transformation, as you know, both personally and nationally. Dragon’s Tail eclipses generally represent a time of balancing the ledger in areas out of balance and it also vibrates to timeless service and things of a more spiritual focus. It’s a time of giving back and practicing compassion.

The Sun enters Leo on July 23rd, the sign of the child and creativity! The New Moon occurs on July 31st at 11:12 p.m. She’ll be at 80 Leo. Venus and Mars also enter Leo during July on the 28th and 2nd respectively. So lots of fire in July.

August

August 11: Both Jupiter and Uranus change directions!

Hold onto your hats and/or buckle your seat belts! Jupiter, the planet of expansion, good fortune and all things bigger than life, ends his four-month retrograde period at 9:38 a.m. He’ll be at 140 Sagittarius. He’s very happy in his own sign, brash, optimistic, proud, impulsive and enthusiastic. He can also be a groupie with an us versus them attitude, but he can also be a quester for higher truths. He is currently on top of (conjunct) the Ascendant of the US Chart, which deals with how we present ourselves to the world.

Uranus, planet of the higher mind, rebellion, inspiration, vision, revolutionary thinking, begins his five-month retrograde period at 10:26 p.m. He’s at 60 Taurus. He’s not very happy in Taurus, as his lightning-quick energy is not compatible with Taurus’ slower, more deliberate way of doing things. However, Uranus can provide new ideas and innovative practices that could be beneficial in all earthly matters and Taurus can slow things down, so they have a chance to manifest. Of all the earth signs, Taurus is the most connected to Mother Earth and her rhythms.

The Sun enters Virgo on August 23rd at 6:02 a.m. Virgo is the sign of the harvest, of the Self primarily – collecting all the different parts of ourselves into one whole — but also we begin to harvest what we’ve planted in our gardens in late August and early September. By the end of the month, there will be seven planets in earth signs: Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars in Virgo, Uranus in Taurus and Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. No planets in air — only Neptune in water and Jupiter in fire.

The Full Moon occurs on August 15th at 8:29 a.m. She’ll be at 110 Aquarius. The New Moon occurs on August 30 at 6:37 a.m. She’ll be at 60 Virgo.

Have a great summer!

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret

Astro Doings May-June, 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

May and June are pretty quiet, so I am going to give an update for both months in the same blog.

May

A pretty quiet month astrologically. No planet changes direction. Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto continue their retrograde motion that they began in April. The air element still does not have a lot of representation, even after the Sun enters Gemini on May 21 at 3:59 a.m. Mercury also enters Gemini, a sign that he rules, on the same day at 6:52 a.m. Gemini likes to sample, flitting from one thing to another, to experience as much as possible, without delving into any one thing deeply. The sampling is done in the realm of ideas and to some extent people, whom he finds fascinating for about five minutes. Otherwise, the outer planets are in fire (Jupiter), earth (Saturn, Pluto, Uranus) and water (Neptune). Venus joins Uranus in Taurus on the 15th at 5:46 a.m. Mars adds to Neptune’s water when he enters Cancer also on May 15 at 11:00 p.m. Water and earth work nicely together energetically and are considered to be “feminine” in their nature – sustaining, holding and nurturing. The question is without much air and fire to create new ideas or ways of doing things is this emphasis on feminine energy sustaining old ideas or patterns? May’s New Moon occurs on the 4th at 140 Taurus; Full Moon on May 18 at 270 Scorpio.

June

As far as the outer planets go, nothing changes in June, except that Neptune stations retrograde (i.e. moves from west to east by our perception) on June 21 at 10:36 a.m. She’ll be at 180 Pisces and will stay there for the rest of the month. The 21st also happens to be the Summer Solstice when the Sun enters Cancer at 11:54 a.m. Mercury joins the Cancer brigade on June 4th, so there will be three planets in that sign, which rules home, hearth, Mother, nurturing, including food. All this Cancer energy is on the other side of the zodiac from Saturn and Pluto, who continue to run together in Capricorn. This provides an opportunity for balancing earth and water — large structures such as corporations and governments (Capricorn) and individual needs for sanctuary (home) and nourishment (Cancer). Both the US and Canada are sun-sign Cancer countries, as a point of interest. In the US chart, Saturn and Pluto are currently in the second house of values and resources, both natural and man-made. June’s New Moon occurs on the 3rd at 120 Gemini (6:02 a.m.) and the Full Moon occurs on June 17 at 250 Sagittarius (4:31 a.m.).

Have a wonderful spring and beginning of summer!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

 

Astro Doings April 2019

Margaret Lassiter 1 Comment

Hi Everyone

Hope your new year (astrological) is off to a good start. Three planets start their fairly lengthy retrograde motion during April. This retrograde motion, which appears “backwards,” balances the forward thrust of Spring energy. April may be experienced as a very inner time, depending on how these retrogrades impact your natal chart. The first third of the month is pretty quiet, so enjoy!

April 10: Jupiter stations retrograde at 1:00 p.m. EDT at 240 Sagittarius

Jupiter is the planet of expansion, good fortune, and optimism. Being the largest planet in our solar system, he can seem bigger than life, and he is currently (and will remain) in his own sign, Sagittarius, the quester for Truth, but not known for its diplomacy. When Jupiter retrogrades, several things can happen. We can become less optimistic, more reserved and our quest for truth can enter a more inward and withdrawn phase. We may want to be alone more; it can be good time to deepen our meditation practice, and on the global stage there may be less optimism about how things are going to turn out and the “us versus them” attitude can be more pronounced. Jupiter will remain retrograde until August.

April 24: Pluto stations retrograde at 2:45 p.m. EDT at 230 Capricorn

Pluto begins his six-month retrograde back through Capricorn this month. As with all planets moving from west to east, as we perceive it, the energy expresses itself more inwardly. Pluto, as you all know by now, is the planet of deep-seated transformation, and all change begins inwardly before it expresses outwardly. Old, firmly entrenched attitudes and fears can be transformed during this period. On the global stage it could mean that some of the structures and systems (Capricorn) that we have created could implode (retrograde motion) rather than explode. Time will tell. Pluto’s retrograde motion will end in October, and he will still be in Capricorn.

April 29: Saturn stations retrograde at 8:55 p.m. EDT at 200 Capricorn

Well, this is pretty exciting – having both Saturn and Pluto station retrograde within days of each other, next to each other (conjunct) in the same sign! And they will remain next to each other throughout the retrograde period. (Saturn retrograde ends in September.) So, you’re asking, what does this all mean? Saturn represents male authority figures, both personal and global, fear, lack, restriction, lessons – sounds fantastic, right? But without limits we wouldn’t grow. Pluto represents transformation, so between them they can provide energy to transform (Pluto) our fears, quiet the inner critic (Saturn) so that we can truly utilize this inner time to loosen the hold of the personality and move more into our truth as spiritual beings. While these energies will impact us all, those with planets in Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn will be most affected by these energies, but Capricorn makes some connection with some part of most everyone’s chart, I believe. On the global stage, April appears to me to be a time of restriction, fear, obvious evidence of structures that no longer work, and eventually a common realization that the old structures need to be changed to serve the highest and best for all.

The Sun enters Taurus on April 20 at 4:55 a.m. He will be right next to (conjunct) Uranus, planet of rebellion, the higher mind, and destroyer of outmoded forms. Taurus is an earth sign (the most stubborn of them all) and is an easy-flowing (trine) relationship with Saturn and Pluto. This month will have a lot of earth energy with so much planetary energy in this element. It may be a time of great healing for our beloved planet. Mars is the only planet in an air sign (Gemini), so the realm of ideas and the mental plane is still not well represented. Venus, the planet of love, and Neptune, the planet of compassion and redemption, are in the same water sign (Pisces), until Venus moves into Aries on the 20th.

The New Moon occurs on April 5th at 4:50 a.m. She’ll be at 150 Aries. The Full Moon occurs on April 19th at 7:12 a.m.  She’ll be at 290 Libra.

Hope you have a wonderful April!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings March 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the February quiet. March is a little more active, but all the outer planets continue their direct motion, i.e. moving from east to west from our perspective, so still pretty quiet.

March does have one retrograde – everyone’s favorite! Mercury has his first of three retrograde periods in 2019 starting March 5th at 1:19 p.m. EST. (Daylight Savings Time starts on March 10th). Mercury will be at 290 Pisces when he begins his three-week retrograde. He’ll turn himself around on March 28th at 9:59 a.m. EDT. As you know, this is a time of introspection, reflection, retreat, repose, and repair. We tend not to like it when things get slowed down, but these periods of repose are vital to our well-being, so take advantage of it!

March, as you know, marks the astrological New Year with the Sun’s entry into Aries, which occurs on March 20 at 5:59 p.m. EDT (Vernal Equinox). What’s striking about this year’s New Year is that there is a Full Moon four hours later at 9:43 p.m. at 00 Libra, and this will be the last of the supermoons for 2019. All Full Moons occur on the opposite side of the zodiac from the sign the Sun is in. Both luminaries will be a 00 of their respective signs, indicating a new beginning or a new pattern in the relationship between Aries and Libra. What’s intriguing here is the need to balance charging forward on a personal level without much concern for others, (Aries), with the energy that is completely focused on “other” with a frequent inability to move forward without having agreement or consensus (Libra). Aries says: “It’s my parade and I’m leading it.” Libra says: “We are, therefore I am.” And then there’s the square (wide) from Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. Aries is a fire sign and Libra is an air sign – so far, so good. Fire and air work well together. Capricorn is earth, a challenge to work with either fire or air. Could be an interesting start to a new year.

Speaking of air, the only planet in air for most of the month is Venus in Aquarius. So once again, the realm of ideas, conversation and innovation is not well-represented in the elemental line up.

The New Moon occurs on March 6th at 11:04 a.m. EST when she’ll be at 150 Pisces.

Happy Spring! Happy New Year!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings February 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

I don’t think in all the Astro Doings blogs I’ve written that I’ve seen such a quiet month as this February. All the planets are going direct (east to west); no one is changing direction.

There will be four planets in fire (Mars, Jupiter and Uranus) and three planets in earth (Venus, Saturn and Pluto) – all in Capricorn. Generally, these elements don’t work very well together, but when inspiration (fire) is practical (earth) this combination can work wonders.

After the 18th when the Sun and Mercury move into Pisces, they’ll join Neptune, so we’ll have three planets in water. Mars will move into Taurus, so we’ll have four planets in earth. I should note that Mars, like Uranus who will move back into Taurus next month, does not like being in an earth sign to begin with, let alone such a slow moving one! Earth and water work very nicely together. Water softens earth and makes it more useable; earth provides boundaries for water.

The New Moon occurs on February 4 at 4:04 p.m. She’ll be at 150 Aquarius; Full Moon (also a super moon) occurs on February 19th a 00 Virgo; the Sun enters Pisces on the 18th at 6:04 p.m.

The Chinese New Year is February 5th; year of the Boar.

Enjoy the quiet!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year! It hardly seems possible that I’m writing the first blog for 2019! This year gets off to a pretty exciting start astrologically speaking, featuring two eclipses and Uranus changing directions. I’ll take them in order.

January 5: Partial Solar Eclipse at 8:28 p.m. ET

Solar eclipses occur at a new moon and can signal significant new beginnings. The Sun will be at 150 Capricorn, and the eclipse will last about 4 hours. However, we will not be able to see it here in the US. Saturn will be right next to (conjunct) the Sun when the eclipse occurs adding additional importance to developing new structures, both personal and global at this time, and overcoming our fears. Since Saturn is next to the eclipse point, the impact of this eclipse will be shorter than the “normal” formula of one month for every hour of the eclipse. Pluto, planet of deep-seated transformation, is also very close to this eclipse degree as well, adding additional power to this event, along with impetus to go deeply into any restructuring we might begin at this time. Those with planets within 4 degrees on either side of 150, especially in Cardinal signs (Capricorn, Libra, Aries and Cancer) may feel the impact of this eclipse more than others.

January 6: Uranus stations direct at 3:26 p.m. ET

The planet of the higher mind, rebellion and destroyer of old forms of thinking ends his retrograde (backwards, inner) motion right after the solar eclipse, adding additional energy to moving outwardly forward with the ideas, impulses and revelations gleaned during his retrograde motion. He will be at 280 Aries, the sign of the warrior (sometimes spiritual, sometimes not). Aries is the sign of the leader, me-first, and fearlessness, which sometimes looks like recklessness or impulsiveness. Again, the Cardinal signs may feel this change of direction more acutely, but for all of us the energy will be more attuned to sharing new visions, impulses and revelations, rather than pondering them. Uranus will continue to move “forward,” i.e. from east to west, until August.

 January 21: Total Lunar Eclipse at 0:16 a.m. ET

As you know, eclipses generally come in pairs, and lunar eclipses occur at a full moon. This one is not only a total eclipse, but it’s also a super moon. The eclipse will be visible in North America, (here’s hoping for clear skies!) and will last about 5 hours. The Moon will be at 00 Leo, since the Sun enters Aquarius the day before. While a lunar eclipse generally focuses on service and letting go of old patterns, this one is at the beginning of the sign, which generally indicates a new beginning. And it’s in a fixed sign, and we haven’t seen too much of this energetic quality — sustaining, abiding, stubborn, feminine in its feel. (Other fixed signs include Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio.) The Moon will have an ally in Mars, who is at early degrees Aries, and Venus who is at early degrees Sagittarius, both fire signs, so we have a very early flow of energy between these planets (a grand trine). The Moon and Venus are both considered “feminine” planets, while Mars is masculine. So, both types of energy are represented in this big triangle, fueled by an eclipse at the beginning of Leo. Leo is the sign of the divine child in each of us. Perhaps the best use of this eclipse is to release that which holds us back from expressing who we are in truth and moving forward in a new way.

 Elementally, the year starts out with mostly earth and water. The last third of the month includes some planets in the air element (Sun, Mercury). Air is the element of ideas, inspiration and communication, and has been by in large absent with none of the outer planets currently in signs of that element. This will be true in 2019 as well.

Hope you have a wonderful start to a great New Year!

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret

Astro Doings December 2018

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

It’s hard to believe that this is the last Astro Doings for 2018. December is pretty quiet by comparison to other months this year. Once again, there are no planets in air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius). Air is the element of archetypal ideas and breath.  Air signs can be very detached, very mental and lacking in emotional depth. Their detachment can allow them to work with others, even if they don’t agree with them.

Mercury will station direct (start moving from east to west) on December 6th at 4:22 p.m. ET. He’ll be at 270 Scorpio and will move into Sagittarius on December 12. He’ll be right next to (conjunct) Jupiter for the rest of the month. Sagittarius is a fire sign that enthusiastically seeks Truth, so our ideas (Mercury) may be bigger than life (Jupiter) and not always “realistic.” In the beginning of the month, up to the Winter Solstice, the Sun will also be in Sagittarius. The only other planet in fire is Uranus, retrograde at late degrees Aries. Aries is the sign of the warrior and a quest for expression of his/her true self, without much consideration of others.

There are currently three planets in water signs: Venus, Mars and Neptune. Mars and Neptune are in Pisces, and Venus will enter Scorpio on the 2nd.  Water represents emotions and psychic information and is one way to put fire out. (The other, of course, is earth, but we’ll get to that a bit later.) Emotions, as they have been for a while now, may continue to run high. However, Pisces can be the sign of empathy and compassion, an understanding of others, not from a mental perspective, but from our feeling nature. Mars is not happy to be in gentle Pisces. He rules Aries, after all, and he will enter Aries on the 31st at 9:20 p.m. ET.

The Winter Solstice is December 21st at 5:23 p.m. ET when the Sun enters Capricorn and we celebrate the return of the Light. Saturn and Pluto join the Sun in Capricorn. (You’ll recall that Saturn, planet of restrictions, lack, fear, and spiritual lessons, rules Capricorn, so there is a very easy flow of energy here.) Capricorn is a sign of planning, caution, ambition, and patience. Capricorn’s planning and patience can make him/her seem slow and unwilling to change. Not so, but Capricorn people don’t go willy-nilly into anything, like Aries people might. They understand the value of repose, which I believe most of us struggle with at times. Hence our dislike of Mercury retrograde periods. Capricorn knows how to step back and evaluate before moving forward.

The New Moon occurs on December 7th at 2:20 a.m. ET. She’ll be at 150 Sagittarius. The Full Moon occurs on December 22nd at 12:49 p.m. ET. She’ll be at 00 Cancer.

I hope you have a most joyous holiday season celebrating the return of the Light and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings November 2018

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

November has three planets changing direction, two of them on the same day! And I’ll provide details on the celestial dance on Election Day in the US.

Election Day

The Sun will be trine (easy flow of energy) Neptune, planet of fog, illusion, compassion and redemption. Both planets will be in water signs (Scorpio and Pisces, respectively) so psychic energy will abound and emotions (water) may be running high. Those with planets in water may be more strongly affected by this trine. The Moon will enter Scorpio at 8:02 ET that morning, and Jupiter will be at late degrees of the sign, so lots of Scorpio energy – power, insight, and also healing.

Uranus, planet of rebellion and destroyer of outmoded forms, will back into Aries, sign of the warrior, ruled by Mars, god of war at 1:50 p.m. ET. Uranus is currently going “backwards” or retrograde, which means the energy can be expressed more inwardly.  However, Uranus is happier in Aries than he is in slow-moving Taurus, so his lightning bolt energy may be more forceful, especially for those with planets in fire signs (Aires, Leo and Sagittarius) or in cardinal signs (Libra, Cancer, Capricorn).

Direction Changes: November 16th

Venus: Venus stops and starts moving forward at 5:50 a.m. ET. She’ll be at 250 Libra, her own sign – the sign of relationship, “others,” fairness and balance.  Venus is the planet of love at the level of “I love you because you love me.” Neptune, the higher octave of Venus, says “I love you because it is in the nature of love to love.”  This change of direction could signal a more direct expression of tolerance and fairness towards one another. However, Libra is an air sign, so the emphasis is relationship in the head, not necessarily in the heart. Those with planets in later degrees Aries, Cancer and Capricorn or other air signs (Gemini, Aquarius) may feel this change more strongly.

Mercury: Last retrograde of 2018! He stations (stops) at 8:33 p.m. ET and will be at 130 Sagittarius. As I’ve stated many times before this is a time for reflection and repose, something that not many of us are good at. Perhaps we can use this three-week period to reflect on what we have to be grateful for in preparation for the holiday season, and to see the truth (Sagittarius) within.  Mercury will station direct on December 6th.

Direction Change: November 24th

Neptune: The planet of compassion, redemption, fog, illusion and the underworld ends her retrograde motion at 8:09 p.m. ET. She’ll be at 130 Pisces, where she has been for a long time – and will continue to be for most of the rest of this year. This change of direction may provide a more open and “direct” expression of our compassion for one another, as a result of turning our compassion inward during her retrograde period. As we are more understanding of ourselves, it becomes easier to be more tolerant of others. During this divisive and hate-filled period, this would be a welcome change.

Other Doings this Month:

Mars moved into Pisces on the 15th, adding energy and initiative to this watery, inward, other-worldy sign. It could also signal more intense storms. He will be square (growth opportunity, stress-filled need for cooperation) to Jupiter, who enters his own sign (Sagittarius) on the 8th. Fire (Sag) and water (Pisces) can have a tough time dealing with each other, as you can imagine, but fire can bring inspiration and water can bring emotional/psychic insight to our endeavors.

The New Moon occurs on the 7th at 150 Scorpio (11:02 a.m.) – a new beginning after the elections? The Sun enters Sagittarius on the 22nd at 4: 02 a.m. and the Full Moon occurs at 0:39 a.m. at 00 Gemini – more potential for new beginnings!

Have a great November and a lovely Thanksgiving.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret