Aries

Astro Doings March-April, 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

I hope you enjoyed the relatively quiet February, because March and April promise to be very busy with lots of changes. So, let’s get started.

March

Every planet except Uranus and Neptune changes signs during March. That’s a lot of change! The major one is the hand off of the sign Aquarius from Saturn to Pluto – sort of like a relay race. They do appear to drop the baton, however, since Saturn enters Pisces on March 7th and Pluto enters Aquarius on the 23rd.  When outer planets change signs, it’s a big deal because they move so slowly. Saturn through this sign has brought delay, restriction, and fear, as he generally does in whatever sign he’s in. It’s also noteworthy that Saturn is the ancient ruler of Aquarius, so his energy expresses easily in this sign.  Aquarius is a fixed sign so it tends to remain stubbornly rooted in its opinions, but is also the visionary and one who is not afraid to change the status quo. So the baton passes from restriction and the status quo to the rooting out of deep-seated attitudes that are no longer viable.

This is the first time that Pluto has been in Aquarius since he was first discovered in 1930. So no one knows what deep-seated transformation Pluto will bring to the sign of the Water-bearer. Aquarius is a little confusing (or is it confused?) since it’s called the Water-bearer, but it’s an air sign . . . . We do know that Pluto’s transit through Capricorn has brought many challenges to established systems and ways of being of all sorts. It’s going to take Pluto a bit to settle down in his new environment. He’ll retrograde back into Capricorn a couple of times before he settles into Aquarius for good (or for the next 20 years) in November 2024. Aquarius is the sign of the rebel, the innovator, the destroyer of old forms. I would expect to see some upheaval in the areas of electronic media, Internet, and humanitarianism. Pluto removes (sometimes not gently) outmoded ways of being. Time will tell what other areas Pluto will use the Aquarian light of innovation, rebellion, and concern for mankind as a whole to change (or at least bring to our attention) systems and attitudes that no longer serve us as a whole (or personally).

Let’s not forget about Saturn, now in Pisces, the sign of faith, illusion, fog, spirituality, and escape. He joins the Sun, Mercury, and Neptune. Pisces is a water sign that finds navigating the earth plane challenging at times, impossible at others. It’s represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, unaware of each other. Saturn’s transit through this sign can strengthen our faith in the benevolence of the universe, or it can become more rigid and stringent in the rules and practices of our faith. It can be a call to re-examine our spirituality, as well as being on the earth in a kinder more compassionate way. It can also mean more restrictive laws about addictions of all kinds.

Other planets change signs in March:

  • Mercury moves into Aries on the 19th. Lots of new ideas, but can be rather scattered. Aries likes to start but not always finish.
  • Venus moves into Taurus on the 16th. Venus rules Taurus, so she’s very happy here. Lots of love to Mother Earth, appreciating beauty in all its forms.
  • Mars moves into Cancer on the 25th. Well, the god of war isn’t too happy in the Moon’s watery world. He’s likely to churn up our emotions or our initiatives may get drowned out by our emotions. Also of note, Mars will transit the Venus, Jupiter, the Sun, and Mercury of the US chart next month.
  • And the Sun moves into Aries (the Vernal Equinox) on the 20th. Time for new initiatives and ideas. Aries is also the sign of the warrior.

The Full Moon occurs on March 7th at 160 Virgo. The New Moon occurs on March 21st at 00 Aries.

April

Phew! Got through March. . .. April chugs along very nicely, no retrograde planets and only the speed demon planets, Mercury and Venus, change signs. Until. . .the 20th and 21st.

The first solar eclipse of 2023 occurs on April 20th. It is a total solar eclipse, but will not be visible in the US. The Sun and Moon will be at 290 Aries. The eclipse will last about five hours, so it will be active in people’s charts by transit for the next five months or so.  Solar eclipses generally indicate new beginnings, changes in attitudes, and brings an influx of new energy. This is just before the Moon and Sun enter Taurus. Aries is impulsive, energetic leader, who doesn’t always think things through. People with planets or other points in their charts at late degrees Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn may feel the impact of the eclipse more than others.

And the next day – it’s everyone’s favorite retrograde! Yep, Mercury stations retrograde on the 21st at 4:35 a.m. He’ll be at 150 Taurus. These retrograde periods, of which there are three each year, last about three weeks and represent times of repose, retreat, reflection. . . Of course, if we’re not into repose, this retrograde can bring frustration, delay, and confusion if we try to push the river or get something done in a hurry.  So, as much as possible, try to relax into this retrograde period – re-lax, re-treat, re-pair. . . .

And don’t forget Mars’ transits to the US chart all month. There could be a lot of anger, dissention, and disagreement both nationally and internationally.

The Full Moon occurs on April 6th at 160 Libra.

Hope you have a wonderful March and April!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings May – June 2022

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

May promises to be a busy month with several planets in Aries and a lunar eclipse, which will be visible in the US, if it’s clear. June is a little quieter with three planets changing direction – and of course, the Summer Solstice!

May

Venus is the first planet to enter Aries on May 3rd, followed by Jupiter on the 11th and finally Mars on the 25th. Mars is very strong in his own sign, although Venus is not happy in Mars’ sign and Jupiter is leaving a sign it rules (Pisces). This is a lot of fire energy – enthusiasm, acting without forethought, starting but not finishing, hubris and recklessness. However, it’s also a sign of new beginnings, ideas and initiatives. Like the ram, which is the symbol of Aries, it can feel like you’re butting your head against a wall. The good news is that we have three planets (Sun, Uranus and Pluto) in earth, which can temper Aries’ enthusiasm and lend practical energy to Aries new ideas and projects. The Sun moves into Gemini on the 20th. Gemini is an air sign, focused on communication and learning a little bit about everything. Fire and air work very nicely together – but may not accomplish much of a practical nature.

Mercury begins its second retrograde of the year on May10th at 7:47 a.m. This is the same day that Jupiter enters Aries. Mercury will be at 40 Gemini and on May 24th will “back” into Taurus. These retrogrades last about three weeks and are great times to regroup, rethink, retreat and repair.

Eclipses come in pairs. This total lunar eclipse, which is the pair to the solar eclipse we had at the end of April, occurs on May 16th. The Moon will be at 250 Scorpio. This eclipse will be visible in the US and will begin on the 15th around 9:30 p.m. EDT. Its totality will occur around midnight and the whole eclipse will last about five hours. You can find more information about the eclipse here: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2022-may-16. A lunar eclipse is about endings of patterns and generally have to do with service and giving back for what we’ve received. Those with planets in late degrees (from 22-280) Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius or Leo or the other water signs, Cancer and Pisces, may feel the impact of this eclipse more strongly. Its impact may last up to five months or so after the eclipse.

The New Moon occurs on May 30. She’ll be at 80 Gemini.

June

This month Mercury, Saturn and Neptune all change directions. And of course, summer officially begins (Summer Solstice). When a planet changes directions, especially one of the outer planets, it stops and sits a bit before it starts moving in the new direction. The degree and sign where it stops may impact your chart more or less strongly, and outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) take longer to get moving in the new direction than inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars).

So, Mercury is the first. It goes direct on June 3rd at 4:00 a.m. He’ll be at 260 Taurus and will move into Gemini on the 14th.

Saturn begins his 4-month retrograde period on June 4th at 5:47 p.m. He’ll be at 250 Aquarius.

And last, but not least, Neptune begins her 5-month retrograde period on June 25th. She’ll be at 250 Pisces. The New Moon occurs on the same day.

When a planet is retrograde, it appears from the earth’s perspective that it is moving from west to east. We know that isn’t what it’s doing but that’s how it appears. The planets’ energies seem to be more inward in their feel and sometimes things are delayed. Saturn represents authority figures, men in particular, and when retrograde your inner critic may seem especially loud. A Neptune retrograde can turn our faith more inward, help deepen meditation practice and/or increase the inner fog!

The Summer Solstice is June 21st when the Sun enters Cancer – sometimes called the longest day of the year. Cancer is a water sign, frequently a homebody and lover of good food. It joins Neptune as the planet in only water in the current line-up. The Full Moon occurs on the 14th at 7:52 a.m. She’ll be at 230 Sagittarius.

Enjoy May and June!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings March-April, 2022

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

March brings the first day of Spring and more planets in air signs, but otherwise is rather quiet. April brings showers with more planets in water and the first eclipse of 2022.

March

On the 6th both Venus and Mars enter Aquarius, joining Mercury and Saturn. Aquarius is an air sign, full of revolutionary ideas and no patience for outmoded thinking or structures. It can be very stubborn, as its energy tends to sustain rather than initiate. These planets are in a challenging relationship (square) to the ruler of Aquarius (Uranus), who is in Taurus, an earth sign. The good news here is that some of Aquarius’s innovative ideas will hopefully be more earth-based and practical. 

Mercury moves into Pisces from March 9- 26, joining Jupiter and Neptune in this changeable water sign that rules faith, illusion, fog and redemption. Jupiter is the “ancient” ruler of Pisces and Neptune is the “modern” ruler of the sign, making them both very strong in this sign. Optimism (Jupiter) and dreams (Neptune) can join with concrete thinking (Mercury) while they are transiting this sign.

The first day of Spring occurs on March 20th at 11:33 a.m. EDT. This, of course, is when the Sun enters Aries and is the astrological new year. Mercury joins the Sun in Aries on the 27th. The New Moon occurs on March 2nd at 12:35 p.m. She’ll be at 120 Pisces. The Full Moon occurs on March 18th at 3:18 a.m. She’ll be at 270 Virgo.

April

Both Venus and Mars enter Pisces during April, joining Jupiter and Neptune. Venus enters Pisces on the 5th and Mars on the 14th. That’s four planets in water – and all in the same water sign. The good news is that Mercury enters the earth sign, Taurus, on the 10th and the Sun enters the same sign on the 19th joining Uranus in this most earthbound of all the signs. Earth gives water boundaries and water softens earth. Both are feminine in their elemental feel. Taurus is the most stubborn of all the signs, which may help to focus dreamy Pisces.

In addition to Mercury and Uranus in earth signs, Pluto begins his 5-month retrograde period on the 29th. He’ll be at 280 Capricorn, an earth sign that is related to structures, systems and the status quo. When one of the outer planets basically stops and then changes direction, it can be a significant shift in how their energy is experienced. Those with planets in late degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn may feel this change of direction more acutely. Pluto, the ruler of the Roman underground, rules deep-seated transformation and the destroyer of old forms. These forms may be personal or collective. Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2009, pointing out structures that no longer serve us.

I should also note that the US is experiencing its first Pluto return and when Pluto stations retrograde, he will be at the exact same degrees he is in the US (Sibly) chart. When a planet returns to its natal degrees all the issues that were present at the birth come to the fore again. This transit has been going on for a while and will continue until Uranus enters Aquarius for good in 2024. It has contributed to significant unrest and issues that were present at the nation’s founding that have not yet been resolved, such as race, isolationism, sharp polarization and radical attitudes, to name just a few. This change of direction may mark an intensification around these issues, and a time of introspection for each of us on our attitudes, thoughts, feelings around them, as well as a focus on personal transformation.

The first eclipse of 2022 is a partial solar eclipse that occurs on April 30th. Both Sun and Moon will be at 100 Taurus. It will not be visible in the US and will last about four hours. A solar eclipse generally indicates new beginnings and those with planets in Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio may feel the impact of this new beginning more strongly.

Happy Spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings November – December 2020

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hard to believe that this is the last Astro Doings for 2020! November is busy, but December is somewhat calmer. I do hope you’ve been enjoying watching the Moon, Saturn and Jupiter in the night sky in late October.

November

Three planets change directions this month, and Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto continue to stay close together in Capricorn for the whole month. At the end of the month they will be in a challenging relationship (square) with Mars. Capricorn is an earth sign and Aries, where Mars is, is a fire sign.

Mercury: The last retrograde for Mercury in 2020 ends on November 3rd at 12:50 p.m. EST. (Yes, that’s Election Day in the US.) He’ll be at 230 Libra, the sign of balance, relationship and fairness.

Mars. The planet of war, assertiveness, and initiative ends his retrograde motion on November 13th at 7:36 p.m. EST. He’ll be at 150 Aries. Mars is very strong in his own sign and may express itself as being impulsive and combative. Those with planets in Libra, Capricorn, Cancer and of course Aries, may be more impacted by this change of direction. In direct motion, Mars can be more impulsive, action-oriented and combative. However, he can also provide energy to move forward on projects that have been put aside when he was retrograde. At 150 Aries, Mars is exactly opposite Saturn, representing the executive, in the US (Sibly) chart. P.S. I also hope you’ve enjoyed seeing Mars in the night sky. He’s been quite impressive.

Neptune. The planet of fog, illusion, disillusion, compassion, and redemption ends her long retrograde period on the 28th at 7:36 p.m. EST. She’ll be at 180 Pisces. Some of the creative energy that has been gestating internally may be more easily expressed now. We may also become more aware of the fog! Those with planets in the other mutable signs, Virgo, Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces, may feel this change of direction more than others. This leaves only one planet in retrograde motion – Uranus. Our innovative rebellion continues to be internal during this retrograde period. Great time to break down old patterns. Never fear, he’ll change direction in January.

Eclipses. There is a prenumbral lunar eclipse in November, and if it’s clear we may be able to see it. Eclipses are like energy vortices and are triggered by any planet transiting the degree of the eclipse. The vortex is “open” (sensitive) one month for every hour of eclipse duration.

This lunar eclipse will occur on November 30th at 80 Gemini, conjunct the Uranus in the US Chart. Lunar eclipses are about the endings of eras in how we’ve used the Gemini (or Sagittarius, Virgo or Pisces) energies in our charts. This eclipse will last about four hours. The focus of this eclipse is service, especially in the area of communication and relating. The companion solar eclipse occurs in December (see below).

The New Moon occurs on November 15th at 12:07 a.m. She’ll be at 230 Scorpio. The Sun enters Sagittarius on November 21st at 3:40 p.m.

December

Be sure to watch the heavens in mid-December as Jupiter and Saturn will be 10 apart. They haven’t been this close since 1623 and won’t be again until 2080. In mid-December they both move into Aquarius, the sign of the rebel, the innovator and humankind. It’s an air sign – the element of ideas and communication. There have been very few planets in air this year, so we may see newer (perhaps more radical) ideas about how to address the issues confronting us. Lots more Aquarian energy coming in January and February next year.

Eclipse. The companion eclipse to the lunar eclipse in November is a total solar eclipse. It occurs on December 14th and will last about 5.5 hours. It will not be visible in the US, however. The Sun will be at 230 Sagittarius, as will the Moon since a solar eclipse occurs on a New Moon. Solar eclipses are about new beginnings, and may impact those with planets in Sagittarius, Gemini, Pisces and Virgo more than others. Sagittarius is the sign of the quest for Truth but can also be outspoken and exclusionary. It can also be very lucky!

The Sun enters Capricorn, the Winter Solstice, on November 21st at 5:02 a.m. EST. The Sun will be next to Mercury in Capricorn, the sign of the status quo, structures, and also of the spiritual initiate.

We end 2020 with a Full Moon on December 29th at 10:28 p.m. EST. She’ll be at 80 Cancer near Venus, Jupiter and the Sun in the US chart. It will be interesting to see how the moody, nurturing lunar energy expresses itself at the end of this challenging year.

I hope you have a wonderful and safe end of 2020! On to 2021!

Peace and abundant blessings, Margaret

Astro Doings March – April 2020

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

I’m sure you’ve all noticed that the days are getting longer as we approach the Vernal Equinox in March. Yeah! In the next two months more planets will move into air signs, although there will still be a lot of earth. Overall, a fairly quiet two months.

March

While the elements of fire and air come into play in March, until the 21st there are still four planets in Capricorn: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto. The earth element will ground the energy and may also slow it down.

 March 9th: Yippee! Mercury goes direct on the 9th at 11:49 p.m. EDT. He’ll be at 280 Aquarius and will move into Pisces on the 17th. The Full Moon occurs one minute before Mercury stations direct. She’ll be at 80 Virgo.

March 19th:  The Sun enters Aries at 11:50 p.m. – the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring. Aries is a fire sign that is enthusiastic, likes to lead, but doesn’t always look before it leaps. It can warm, but it can also destroy. Like all cardinal signs, Aries initiates but doesn’t always follow through with what it starts. And like fire and air signs, it is male in its feel.

March 21st:  Saturn enters Aquarius. Before the discovery of Uranus in 1781, Saturn ruled Aquarius, the sign of the rebel, innovator, destroyer of outmoded ideas and systems. Saturn in this air sign may slow the rebel down a little bit or it may lend more practicality to Aquarius’ at times odd and/or innovative ideas. Saturn will retrograde into Capricorn in July.

March 24th:  The New Moon occurs at 5:28 a.m. at 40 Aries.

March 30th:  Mars moves into Aquarius and is conjunct (next to) Saturn. This may have the feel of walking with your shoes tied together. Mars, ruler of Aries, is the warrior planet that wants to charge forward and get moving. Saturn, the planet of restriction, lack and fear, tends to hold back. Mars says, “let’s do it!” Saturn says, “better not!”

April

In April one more planet will move into an air sign; Venus will be in Gemini. Air is the element of ideas, communication and mental activity. This is a change from what we’ve seen recently when there were very few planets in air signs. However, there will still be three planets in earth (Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto). By April 12th Neptune will be the only planet in a water sign — Pisces, her own sign, where she’s been for a long time.

April 3rd:  Venus moves into Gemini, which will be an easy flow of energy (trine) with Mars and Saturn in Aquarius. Gemini is curious about everything for a little bit and tends to bore very easily. It is, however, a sign of relationship and finds people endlessly although briefly fascinating in all their diversity.

April 7th:  The Full Moon occurs at 10: 35 p.m. She’ll be at 180 Libra, another air sign.

April 11th:  Mercury joins the Sun in Aries, bringing the possibility of enthusiastic but not always well thought out ideas. There may be a tendency to jump to conclusions or not think through all the ramifications of an idea. Aries also carries a warrior vibration, so warring ideas may be more evident.

April 19th:  Things could slow down as the Sun enters Taurus at 10:45 a.m. It will be next to (conjunct) Uranus, the planet of rebellion and the ruler of Aquarius. Taurus is the slowest moving sign of them all – fixed (stubborn) earth and Uranus, ruler of thunderbolts, is not well suited to Taurus’s slow-moving caution. Taurus can be very practical, thinks through ideas and doesn’t jump to conclusions (generally). However, once a Taurean has made up his/her mind, it is very difficult (mostly impossible) to get him/her to change it.

April 22nd:  The New Moon occurs at 3:36 p.m. She’ll be a 30 Taurus, the sign that is the most earthbound and concerned about our planet’s well-being. How perfect for Earth Day!

Happy Spring!

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 March 2018

Margaret Lassiter 2 Comments

Hi Everyone

March begins and ends with a Full Moon, although neither has an eclipse attached. The next round of eclipses is in July and August.

The Full Moon occurs on March 1 at 7:51 p.m. ET at 110 Virgo and the second Full Moon (blue) occurs on the 31st at 8:37 a.m. at 100 Libra.

The astrological New Year and the first day of Spring (the Vernal Equinox) occurs on Tuesday, March 20 at 12:16 p.m. when the Sun enters Aries.

Two planets change direction in March in their heavenly dance.

Jupiter stations retrograde – that’s astro-speak for when a planet “stops” moving as it starts to move from west to east from the earth’s perspective. This direction change occurs on March 8 at 11:46 p.m. at 230 Scorpio. What this could mean in general is less of an expansive attitude about anything/everything – a pulling back. It can also mean a greater inner sense of self.  This is especially true for those with planets in Scorpio, Taurus, Leo and Aquarius. The closer these planets are to 230 the more likely this change of direction will be felt.  Jupiter is a planet of expansion – great if it’s not my waistline – excess, optimism, being bigger than life. He is, after all, the largest planet in our solar system.The second direction change is everyone’s favorite – yep, you guessed it: Mercury. The planet of communication, computers, travel begins his three-week trek “backwards” on March 22 at 8:19 p.m. at 160 Aries. (Mercury starts going “direct” (from east to west) on April 15.) This is the first of three Mercury retrogrades in 2018. Mercury retrogrades are wonderful times to re-pose, re-group, re-treat, re-think. It can be a repose period to integrate and review next steps.

I am struck by the fact that there are no planets in air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) for the entire month of March and most of April. Early in the month planets are primarily in water and earth. After the Equinox, we have four planets in fire signs (Sun, Mercury, Venus and Uranus); three in earth (Capricorn to be precise). They are Mars, Saturn and Pluto; and two in water signs (Jupiter and Neptune). The air element deals primarily in the realm of ideas, communication and relationship. Those will a lot of air in their charts may feel disconnected and/or unheard during March. Or it can go the other way with an over-abundance of talk without a lot of follow-through – just mental spinning. I mention it only because when an element is missing (and this is true for charts as well), there is an imbalance where we may tend to overcompensate. We may be so focused on feelings, material concerns and action, without thought. A lack of air can also manifest as intolerance of other ideas and/or people. Something to watch as March unfolds.

Happy Spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings February 2017

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the relative quiet of January. In February we will have the first of four eclipses in 2017 and Jupiter goes retrograde. Let’s look at them in the order that they happen.

Jupiter, the planet of expansion, optimism, faith, and seeming good luck, starts his four-month retrograde motion on February 6th at 1:52 a.m. He’ll be at 230 Libra, the sign of relationship, balance and fairness, and he’s on the other side of the zodiac from Uranus, who is in Aries, the sign of spring, new beginnings and self (or Self depending on how you use the energies). This may be a time to look inwardly (retrograde) to balance (Libra) our thinking about relationship (Libra) and how we can express ourselves in that context (Aries). Libra is also about fairness and peace at any price. How do we assert and take care of ourselves (Aries) in balance with the needs of others (Libra)? These are questions that we can look at within ourselves during this retrograde period.

The first eclipse of 2017 is a lunar one, on February 10th at 7:33 p.m. The Moon will be at 220 Leo. Attention all those of you with planets in fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio), who may have been feeling neglected over these past months with so little fixed energy. We’ve arrived! Fixed energy is feminine by nature, and sustains that which is initiated by cardinal signs. Fixed signs can also be very stubborn and get stuck in ruts (in their own thinking and/or feeling). Leo, fixed fire, is focused on the expression of the individual and Aquarius, fixed air, is focused on the group. In some ways, they are similar to the Aries/Libra axis, fire and air in opposition. This eclipse offers the potential to end our feelings of unworthiness (Leo) and instead use Leo’s creative energy for the benefit of humanity at large (Aquarius).

A solar eclipse ends the month (February 26th) at 9:56 a.m. The Sun will be at 80 Pisces. This is the last of the series of eclipses in mutable signs. Mutable energy, as I’ve written elsewhere, is changeable, multi-talented and unsettled. Pisces is ruled by Neptune, which is currently in her own sign. Pisces is a sign of divine homesickness, perceptive, psychic, dreamy and not always realistic. A solar eclipse represents a significant new beginning. It can be used to do a better job of translating our dreams into reality; it can also remind us that this is not all there is, especially for those with planets in Pisces, Virgo, Gemini and/or Sagittarius.

Hope you have a great February!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January 2017

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year!

2017 starts pretty quietly, astrologically. The first week, Mercury will still be retrograde, a wonderful time to re-think, re-group, re-evaluate. He goes direct on January 8th at 4:43 a.m. He’ll be at 290 Sagittarius and will move into Capricorn on the 12th. Mercury in Capricorn processes information more slowly and thoroughly than he does in fiery Sagittarius. After Mercury goes direct, as we say, all planets will be going direct, i.e. moving from east to west through the heavens (by our perception from earth). It may feel more “full steam ahead” than we’ve felt before when the outer planets were retrograde.

The outer planets are all still in either cardinal (Aries, Libra, Capricorn) or mutable (Pisces, Sagittarius). Both types of energy are very restless, somewhat pushy, easily bored and seemingly without direction. We’ve had this energy lineup for a while now, which sometimes can feel frenetic and lacking in direction. There is very little sustaining (fixed) energy to slow things down a little bit. Throughout January, Uranus (planet of the higher mind, rebellion, lightening bolts) will be on the other side of the zodiac from Jupiter (planet of expansion, larger than life, not always realistic). Uranus is in Aries and Jupiter is in Libra, calling us to balance our own interests and growth (Aries) with others (Libra). Libra is the sign of balance (they don’t have it, but they keep looking for it!) and of the “other.” Of course, the goal is to recognize that we are all one. Both Uranus and Jupiter are squaring (growth opportunity, incompatible elements) Pluto in Capricorn, which is an earth sign. It seems that Pluto has been in Capricorn forever, challenging all of our systems within ourselves and in our societies. So a further adjustment is possible between our optimism (Jupiter) and our higher mind (Uranus). Those with planets from 15 to 250 Aries, Libra, Capricorn and/or Cancer, may be more impacted by this planetary combination, called a t-square.

That’s really it for January. The Full Moon occurs on January 12th at 220 Cancer and the New Moon occurs on January 27th at 80 Aquarius. The Sun enters the sign of the Water Bearer (Aquarius) on January 19th at 4:24 p.m., adding a little stabilizing and/or stubborn (fixed) energy to the mix.

I wish you all peace and abundant blessings in this New Year!

Margaret

Astro Doings December 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hard to believe that we’re now in the last month of 2016. December continues the pattern we’ve seen of mostly cardinal (initiating but not finishing, male, restless) and mutable (also restless, multi-talented, flighty) energy. There is very little fixed or sustaining energy around, so things may continue to feel unsettled and/or restless, depending on how this impacts your chart.

Mercury goes retrograde on December 19th at 5:55 a.m. He’ll be at 150 Capricorn, right next to Pluto, the planet that rules the underground, power, secrets and deep-seated transformation. Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign that concerns structures and systems – both personal and collective. This can be a time of close examination of how we think and what old thought patterns need to be removed. At the end of December and into early January, just in time for the New Year, the Sun will be right next to Pluto. Mercury goes direct on January 8th.

Uranus, the planet of the higher mind, goes direct on December 29th at 4:29 a.m. He’ll be at 200 Aries, a cardinal, fire sign and square (growth opportunity) Mercury and Pluto in Capricorn. Earth is a great way to put fire out and too much fire renders earth unusable. However, when these two elements work together, they can accomplish anything – bringing inspiration (fire) onto the earth plane in practical (earth) applications. Jupiter, the planet of expansion and being “bigger than life,” is in Libra, which opposes Uranus and square Pluto/Mercury. He invites us to broaden our attitudes (Mercury) toward others (Libra) and bring our quest for ourselves (Aries) into balance with others, Pluto here means that we have the opportunity to transform our relationship to ourselves (Aries) and each other (Libra), recognizing in truth that we are all one.

December’s Full Moon occurs on December 13th at 7:05. She’ll be at 220 Gemini.

The Winter Solstice, when the Sun enters Capricorn, occurs on December 21st at 5:45 a.m. And from there, we celebrate the return of the Light – on all levels!

I hope you have a most joyous holiday season and abundant blessings in the New Year.

Peace,

Margaret