Libra

Astro Doings September – October 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

It’s hard to believe that the summer is coming to an end. Hope you’ve had a good one!

During October four planets change direction, either going from retrograde motion to direct motion or vice versa. While we recognize that planets to not move from west to east (retrograde motion), it appears that way from earth. When a planet is retrograde, we tend to experience the energy of the planet and the sign it’s in more inwardly. When planets change direction, they stop on a specific degree and may sit there for a while. This change of direction can be somewhat disconcerting, and when there’s a lot of change, it can be very unsettling.

September

September moves along fairly smoothy – at least in the beginning. Jupiter and Saturn continue to move along backwards (retrograde) in Aquarius, the sign of the rebel, the inventor and the revolutionary. They continue to be in a challenging relationship (square) with the ruler of Aquarius, Uranus, which is currently in the very slow-moving Taurus.

The Autumnal Equinox, when the Sun enters Libra, occurs on September 22nd at 3:21 p.m. EDT.  The Full Moon occurs two days before at 280 Pisces, and the New Moon occurs on Labor Day, September 6th, which is also the first day of Rosh Hashanah. She’ll be at 140 Virgo.

When the Sun enters Libra, Mars and Mercury will be there as well. Mars is not happy in the sign of balance and relationship – Libra is opposite the sign of the warrior (Aries) which Mars rules. While Libra seeks balance, it frequently feels like being on a teeter totter – one extreme and then its opposite. Libra always seeks fairness.

And the last of everyone’s favorite retrograde at least for 2021. . . Mercury stations retrograde on the 27th at 1:10 a.m. He’ll be at 250 Libra.

October

October will be hopping. Here’s the line-up.

  • October 6: Pluto ends his long retrograde period at 2:29 p.m. EDT and starts (very slowly) to go direct. He’ll be at 240 Capricorn (for the whole month). Hopefully some of the introspection that occurred during its retrograde period will start to become clearer with new ideas of how to move forward. I should add that Pluto continues to be next to Pluto in the US chart in the house of values and resources. Time for deep seated change and hopefully Pluto’s going direct will show us the way.
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  • October 10: Saturn stations direct at 10:17 p.m. EDT. He’ll be at 60 Aquarius, square Uranus, the ruler of Aquarius. Saturn will hopefully provide practicality to some of Aquarius’ innovative (hair-brained) ideas, or he may not move them forward at all.
  • October 18: Mercury ends his three-week retrograde period at 11:17 a.m. EDT. He’ll be at100 Libra, the sign of relationship – at least the idea of it. Libra is an air sign, so it’s about relationship in the head – not always understanding the more nitty-gritty of what makes a relationship work. However, Libra does seek balance in trying to understand the opposing point of view, but also seeks peace at any price.

The Sun enters watery Scorpio on the 23rd at 12:51 a.m. EDT. The New Moon occurs at 7:05 a.m. on the 6th, the same day that Pluto goes direct. The Moon will be at 130 Libra. The Full Moon occurs on October 20 at 10:57 a.m. EDT. She’ll be at 270 Aries.

Hope you have a wonderful early fall and that the changes in planetary directions aren’t too unsettling for you and our world.

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 August 2018

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you had a good July and have enjoyed seeing Mars at its closest in the evening sky. Things don’t slow down much in August with a solar eclipse and 3 planets changing direction! I’ll take them in order.

 August 7 at 12:49 p.m. EDT: Uranus stations retrograde at 20 Taurus.

Uranus, the planet of rebellion, innovation and destroyer of outmoded forms, will turn his energy inward during this retrograde period that will last for the rest of 2018. This can be a wonderful period to breakdown old, entrenched patterns of thinking and attitudes. Remember that Taurus is the slowest moving and most stubborn sign of the zodiac. These patterns will be well established, but if they are no longer serving you (or the world), Uranus’s inner focus can help break them down. Conversely, we may not see many new innovative ideas come forward during this period. Uranus will back into Aries for the final time in November, but more on that later.

August 11 at 5:58 a.m. EDT: Partial Solar Eclipse at 180 Leo

This is the last in this series of eclipses – and the last in 2018. This solar eclipse can signal new beginnings of creativity and self-expression and will last about four hours. Those with planets or other placements in their charts from 15-210 Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio, Aries or Sagittarius may feel the impact of this eclipse more than others. Leo is the sign of the Divine Child within each of us and this eclipse, along with the eclipses in July, may provide the impetus for us to express the positive attributes of Leo: loyalty, creativity, trust and joy.

August 19 at 0:25 a.m. EDT: Mercury stations direct at 110 Leo

YIPPEEE! Mercury ends his second retrograde for 2018. Coupled with the solar eclipse, we all may able to express that which we gestated and/or learned during Mercury’s retrograde more easily as he goes direct. Sometimes it can be difficult for us to use these periods of repose, facilitated by Mercury’s retrograde motion, but now we can move forward to express who we are in truth, having integrated what we gained over the last three weeks. Mercury has one more retrograde period in 2018 – in November/December.

August 27 at 10:05 a.m. EDT: Mars stations direct at 280 Capricorn

Mars ends his two-month retrograde period, which may be somewhat similar to Mercury’s change of direction. However, Mars is impulsive, head-strong and action-oriented. He is the god of war in Greek mythology, so there may be less thinking before we act, especially in the areas of institutions and systems, which Capricorn rules. However, Mars is very helpful in starting an exercise regime and getting us off the couch! Mars is currently transiting Pluto in the US (Sibley) chart in our second house of resources (both natural and other) and values. Hopefully this conjunction will provide the energy (Mars) to delve deeply (Pluto) into what we value, what the original values were when this country was founded and help create structures (Capricorn) to support those values.

Other doings of note:

Venus, the planet of love, beauty and peace, enters her own sign (Libra) on August 7th.  Libra is the sign of relationship, balance and an increased awareness of others. By the last third of August, she will be the only planet in an air sign – element of ideas and inspiration.

The Sun enters Virgo on August 23rd right after midnight EDT. Virgo is the sign of harvest, on every level, and integration. Virgo can get lost in the details of any situation and can also be a perfectionist, but the true meaning of the sign is to express ourselves fully and to be at one with our spirit.

The Full Moon occurs on August 26th at 7:56 a.m. EDT. She’ll be at 30 Pisces and in a wide free-flowing relationship with Neptune.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

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 September 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you had a wonderful summer! September promises to be quite intense, especially for the mutable signs (Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, Pisces). And there are no planets in fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio) until the end of the month, so it may feel that nothing is settled or finished. Fixed energy gives us the tenacity to finish what we start. Mutable energy is constantly shifting and adapting.

September begins with Mercury retrograde and a solar eclipse. Mercury goes retrograde on August 30 at 9:04 a.m. at 290 Virgo. It’s the last one in 2016!  Because of this retrograde motion, he will be in Virgo until October 7th. Virgo is the sign of discernment, discrimination and organization (among many other things). Mercury likes being in Virgo where he works to categorize life and put it in little boxes. Just don’t get lost in the analysis (paralysis)! He also trines (easy flow of energy) Pluto (power, underground, transformation) in Capricorn (status quo, big business, systems). In addition he opposes (other side of the heavens) Neptune (fog, compassion, redemption, divine homesickness) in Pisces. This can be a positive thing, as earth (Virgo) gives boundaries to watery Pisces and Pisces softens Virgo’s perfectionism. Both signs are feminine – sustaining, supportive, nurturing and both are about change.

The solar eclipse occurs at 90 Virgo on September 1st at 5:03 a.m. (We will not be able to see it in the US.) This is an annular eclipse where a ring of the Sun’s light is visible around the darkness of the Moon’s shadow. It will last about six hours so this energy vortex will be open for at least six months. Those with planets, lunar nodes or angles from 6-120 of any of the mutable signs will be most likely to feel the energy of this potent new beginning. This eclipse will be squared (growth opportunity) by Saturn (restriction, lack, lessons, Dweller on the Threshold) in Sagittarius (quest for Truth) and opposed by Neptune in Pisces. These two planets ask us to elevate our mundane perceptions (Saturn) to live our spiritual truths (Neptune) and create heaven here on earth. This eclipse in Virgo adds additional support to this effort as Virgo represents the harvest of our Selves, integrated spiritual beings, expressing ourselves from our highest understanding.

As you know, eclipses come in pairs. The lunar eclipse occurs on the Harvest Moon on September 16th at 3:05 p.m. The moon will be at 240 Pisces. What are you harvesting? What do you want to let go of? How do you want to serve? Are you ready to move forward in unity with all that is? This eclipse is squared by Mars in Sagittarius, whose highest expression is the spiritual warrior with plenty of courage to seek the Path to Truth, which is the quest of Sagittarius.

The Autumnal Equinox is on the 22nd when the Sun moves into Libra at 10:22 a.m. Libra is the sign of balance and reconciliation of opposites. Libra focuses on the other, but its task is to balance itself with the other.

And Mercury goes direct on the 22nd at 1:31 a.m. He’ll be at 140 Virgo. Phew! If that’s not enough, Pluto, the planet of deep-seated transformation, what lies beneath the surface, power struggles, and manipulation, goes direct on September 26th at 10:50 a.m. She’ll be at 14 degrees Capricorn. The inner work done during her long retrograde may now be more evident to you — and to others. Power struggles on the world scene could be more obvious.

The month ends with a new moon in Libra, signaling the potential for new beginnings of balance, beauty and measured growth!

Have a great September!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings March 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the relative quiet of February. They say that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. As far as the stars go this March, the first part is certainly true but not so much for the last part.

Solar Eclipse

We begin the month with a powerful total Solar Eclipse at 180 Pisces on March 8 at 8:54 p.m. A solar eclipse occurs at a new moon, and this is the first of a series of “super moons.” Super moon is when the moon is closest to the earth at either a new or a full moon. This closeness impacts tides, the tectonic plates and electromagnetic fields. This powerful eclipse is also joined by Neptune, and Chiron, squared by Saturn and opposed by Jupiter. This is a lot of energy all at once. So, what to do with it?

First, look to see where 180 Pisces lands in your chart and if there are any planets at that degree in your chart plus or minus 10 degrees. This is the area that will be most impacted by the eclipse. Pisces is a water sign that dissolves harsh barriers and attitudes. It is the sign of faith that seeks the numinous, the divine and what is beyond our five senses. Generally it has a hard time relating to the harshness of the world. This is an extraordinary time for healing, meditation, and retreat from old thought patterns about ourselves. A time to move into the recognition that in truth we are light and that light and love are all that is. An eclipse is like an energy vortex that remains open one month for every hour of the eclipse, in this case five, and as planets pass over that “spot” they “dump” energy into it. Mercury and Venus will pass over the eclipse point on the 15th and 27th respectively.

In September 2015 there was another solar eclipse at 200 Virgo, exactly opposite this one. What was important to you six months ago? Are there unresolved issues that need to be resolved around becoming and expressing who you are in truth? And Jupiter, planet of expansion, faith, optimism, and the ancient rule of Pisces, is sitting on top of that eclipse degree. This provides positive, expansive energy as we work to integrate all parts of ourselves and our experiences (Virgo) as we move toward a greater understanding that all these supposed “differences” were simply experiments in consciousness, exploring the difference facets of the light that we are (Pisces).

Vernal Equinox

Yep, it’s spring and happy astrological New Year! New beginnings, new expressions of self, new quests for a closer relationship with high self – the Sun enters Aries on March 20 right after midnight. Yahoo! And Mercury enters Aries the next day. It’s a time to put into action the reflections and insights of this winter. You may feel like you’re waking up from a long sleep.

Lunar Eclipse

Eclipses come in pairs and a lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the zodiac. In this case the lunar eclipse occurs on March 23rd at 8:01 a.m. at 30 Libra. Libra is an air sign and is focused on relationship – with each other, with ourselves and with our beloved planet. The Sun in Aries provides impetus to speak out, to be assertive to lead the way. Moon in Libra reminds us to keep the heart in focus as we move forward, to be considerate and thoughtful of others and where we need to hone our compromise skills.

Saturn Retrograde

Saturn, the great teacher of our solar system because he presents himself as delay, fear, the ego, but also discipline, patience and wisdom, changes direction on March 25th. He goes retrograde (backwards) at 6:01 a.m. at 160 Sagittarius and is squared (growth opportunity) by Jupiter in Virgo. He will remain in retrograde motion until August. Sagittarius is a fire sign on a quest for truth; Virgo (where Jupiter is) is an earth sign focused on integration. These energies can be used to go inward for our truth and integrate all what we perceive to be the different parts of ourselves into one whole expression of the divine in form – once of course, fire isn’t afraid that earth will put it out!

Have a wonderful month and happy spring and other great new beginnings1

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret

 

Astro Doings October 2015

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

I hope you had an opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous lunar eclipse at the end of September. It was truly spectacular! In comparison to last month, October looks pretty staid.

Good news! Mercury goes direct on October 9th at 10:58 a.m. ET. He’ll be at 00 Libra and will whiz his way through the sign for the rest of the month. Libra is an air sign, and Mercury likes the air element. Libra is about balance – they would like to have it – and relating to others or better to “the other.”

Venus, Mars and Jupiter are running together in Virgo all month. Virgo is a rather misunderstood sign. It’s more an issue of not understanding the complexity of the sign. It can express itself as analysis paralysis, for sure, but Virgo is really about harvesting all the parts of ourselves into one whole. Maya Angelou’s quote describes Virgo perfectly: “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.”

That’s it folks. There’s a new moon on October 12th at 190 Libra and the full moon is on October 27 at 30 Taurus. The Sun moves into Scorpio, a water sign, on October 23rd.

What interested me most about October is that until the Sun enters Scorpio, a fixed sign, there are four planets in cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn). They are: Sun, Mercury, Uranus and Pluto. There are five planets in mutable signs (Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius and Gemini). They are: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. Cardinal energy starts but rarely finishes. It’s male in its feel and its job is to get things going. Mutable energy is multi-talented, restless, and frequently indecisive. Since there is so little fixed energy (Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius) to sustain and slow some of the impulses of the cardinal and mutable signs, October’s energy may seem very scattered and moving in fits and starts. This will continue into November as well. Of course if you have planets in cardinal and mutable signs, this may either seem totally normal to you and/or you may find yourself more scattered than usual.

Have a great October everyone!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January 2015

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year! I hope 2015 brings abundant peace, joy and blessings of all kinds to us all.

January begins with a powerful Full Moon on the 4th at 11:53 p.m. The Moon will be at 140 Cancer, opposed the Sun in Capricorn and squaring Uranus in Aries. The Sun is also conjunct (right next to) Pluto. This Full Moon accentuates the Uranus/Pluto square (aka growth opportunity) that I’ve written about previously. Anytime you have slow-moving outer planets, in this case Uranus and Pluto, in relationship to personal inner planets, the Sun (our essence) and the Moon (our feeling nature, our emotions), it increases the opportunity for deep-seated, evolutionary change. In this case, the opportunities are both personal and collective. This Full Moon urges us to examine how we’ve been using power (Capricorn, Pluto) to nurture (Cancer) ourselves and others. It is a time to shed light (Sun, Moon) on our personal and collective shadow (Pluto). Continue reading →