Mars

Astro Doings January – February 2025

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Happy New Year, Everyone!

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

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

January

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

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

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

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

February

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

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

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

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

Hope you have a wonderful start to 2025.

Peace and abundant blessings, Margaret

Astro Doings September – October 2024

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

September

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

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

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

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

October

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope you have a great start to your fall!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings September- October 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

September

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

September 3-4

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

September 15

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

September 23

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

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

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

October

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

October 10

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

October 14

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

October 28

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

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

Happy Fall, everyone!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

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

AstroDoings November – December 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

It’s hard to believe that this is the last AstroDoings for 2021. Where has the time gone? This year ends with two eclipses, one in November and one in December, plus some direction changes.

November

November begins with three planets in water: Sun, Mars, and Neptune. Mercury joins them on the 5th. Three planets are in Scorpio, and Neptune continues her transit of Pisces. Also on the 5th, Venus enters Capricorn, joining Pluto in that sign and Uranus in another earth sign, Taurus. Mars in Scorpio is opposed (on the other side of the heavens) to Uranus, and Saturn in Aquarius squares both planets, creating a fixed (read stubborn) t-square. When planets are in opposite signs, they can operate like a teeter-totter – first one, then the other. With this t-square opinions about anything and everything may be very strongly held without much room for compromise. This tension begins to ease toward the end of the month and into December as Mars, the fastest moving of the three planets, moves away. Those with planets in fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, and Scorpio) may feel the impact of this t-square more strongly.

Partial Lunar Eclipse. There is a partial lunar eclipse on the 19th. The moon will be at 270 Taurus, and the eclipse will last about six hours. It will be visible on the east coast if you want to get up really early in the morning. The maximum eclipse will be at 4:02 a.m. This eclipse will be in an easy flow of energy with Pluto and a challenging contact with Jupiter in Aquarius. This lunar eclipse is about service and ending of old attitudes. In Taurus we can hope that one of the areas is Mother Earth and that some of the innovations (Jupiter in Aquarius) will be realized.

The Sun enters Sagittarius, an optimistic fire sign, ruled by Jupiter, on the 21st at 9:34 p.m. Mercury joins the Sun in Sagittarius on the 24th. The New Moon occurs on the 4th at 5:15 p.m. She’ll be at 120 Scorpio.

December

The last month of 2021 starts off with a bang. Neptune, the planet of fog, illusion, addiction and spirituality, ends its retrograde period on December 1 at 8:22 a.m. EST. She’ll be at 200 Pisces, a water sign, where she will remain for the rest of the month and halfway into January. Those with placements around 15-150 Pisces, Gemini, Virgo or Sagittarius or the other water signs (Cancer, Scorpio) may feel the impact of this shift in direction more strongly. It may be a time to bring our dreams, that have been gestating during Neptune’s retrograde period, to fruition. Or our spiritual progress (or lack thereof) may be more apparent as the planet changes direction.

Total Solar Eclipse. Book your ticket to Antarctica if you want to see this total solar eclipse – or you could just watch it on the internet! The Sun will be at 120 Sagittarius, in a challenging relationship to Neptune’s change of direction a few days before. This eclipse will last about 4 hours and can represent the beginning of a period of payback, selfless service and clarifying the connection between the spiritual and the material. It is also very near the Ascendant of the US chart (Sibley) and may indicate a new way of how we present ourselves in the world. Mars joins the Sagittarius parade on the 13th. 

Mercury, the planet of how we think and process information, moves into Capricorn on the same day. At this time there will be three planets in Capricorn, a Saturn-ruled earth sign that deals primarily with the status quo in the material plane. It is also the sign of the spiritual initiate, slowly climbing the mountain of spiritual understanding. In addition to Mercury and Venus, Pluto continues to move through the sign very slowly. Venus begins her retrograde motion on the 19th at 5:36 a.m. EST.  An important time to focus on loving ourselves, as our appreciation of beauty, loveliness and sensuousness turns inward. Time for great chocolate and long bubble baths.

The Sun enters Capricorn on the 21st at 10:59 a.m. – the Winter Solstice. At this point there are 4 planets in Capricorn: Sun, Mercury, Venus and Pluto. The Full Moon occurs on the 18th at 11:36 p.m. She’ll be at 270 Gemini.  Jupiter enters Pisces, a sign he ruled until the discovery of Neptune, on the 28th.  This leaves one planet in fire (Mars in Sagittarius) and one planet in air (Saturn in Aquarius).  Fire and air are male elements and tend to initiate movement – air with ideas, fire with enthusiasm. Water and earth are female elements that tend to hold onto ideas until they are deemed practical (earth) and emotionally (water) for the best. This may not appear to be a time of innovation or new ways of doing things.

I hope you have a wonderful end of 2021 and joyous holidays.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July-August 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

July

The first half of the month will be dominated by a fixed T-square with Mars and Venus opposing Saturn, which is squaring Uranus. (The Saturn/Uranus square, which began last month and will continue into 2022.) Mars and Venus are in Leo, Saturn is in Aquarius and Uranus is in Taurus. All four planets are in fixed signs. Fixed energy sustains, can be stubborn, and is feminine in nature. The interests of the individual, represented by Mars (planet of war) in Leo, must be balanced against Saturn in Aquarius (the sign of the collective). Saturn, of course, brings restrictions, delays, and fear. Leo is a fire sign and Aquarius is an air sign, so while they may not change their thinking on anything (sound familiar?), the elements work well together. Mars and Saturn must also deal with Venus in Leo, which represents a great need to be loved and to love, and is often the peacemaker. Enter Uranus, ruler of Aquarius, in Taurus, an earth sign and the most stubborn and slow moving of all the signs. Uranus breaks down old, outmoded ways of being and thinking and Taurus doesn’t want to change anything. One way of looking at this is to think of these four planets stuck in an elevator between floors. They each have different points of view (fire, earth and air) but have to figure out a way to work together so they can resolve the problem — not easy since they’re so stubborn. In mid-July Venus and Mars move out of orb (too far away) and the T-square returns to “just” being a square between Saturn and Uranus, which is rather like walking with your shoes tied together – Saturn representing the status quo and Uranus representing change and revolution. However, the Sun enters Leo on the 22nd and by the end of the month through mid-August will again create a fixed T-square with Saturn and Uranus.

The New Moon occurs on July 9th at 9:17. She’ll be at 180 Cancer. The Full Moon occurs on July 23 at 10 Aquarius. And Jupiter retrogrades back into Aquarius on the 28th.

August

The Saturn/Uranus square gets another “tweaking” shortly after the Sun moves out of orb for a T-square. On the 19th Uranus stations retrograde at 9:40 p.m. This means, that from our perspective, he moves from west to east, which is how Saturn is moving. So, maybe, at least they’re moving in the same direction now, instead of one planet going one way and the other going another way. Uranus will remain at 140 Taurus through September. Attention all who have planets or other points on your chart from 10-200 in fixed signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius, Leo) or in the other air signs (Libra, Gemini). We tend to feel the impact of retrograde planets more inwardly. Uranus rules the higher mind and Taurus doesn’t like change. Perhaps this is a time for inner reflection on patterns that no longer serve you and calling on your higher mind to find creative and innovative suggestions for change.

When the Sun enters Virgo on the 22nd it will join Mercury and Mars, creating a stellium in Virgo. A stellium is three or more planets in the same sign. Virgo is another earth sign and is concerned with harvest – both of plants and of self. Virgo analyzes and categorizes. It can get lost in details and tends to analysis paralysis. But its attention to detail can be most helpful in any kind of planning.

The New Moon occurs on August 8th at 160 Leo. The Full Moon is on August 22 at 290 Aquarius.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

AstroDoings March-April 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

March and April are pretty quiet with no planets changing direction in March and only one in April. Phew!

March

The big doing in March, of course, is the Vernal Equinox when the Sun enters Aries, and we begin Spring and a new astrological year. This takes place on March 20 at 5:37 a.m. EDT. For the rest of the month, the planets continue their celestial dance. Jupiter and Saturn are in Aquarius, squaring (challenging relationship) Uranus in Taurus. Uranus and Pluto are the only two planets in earth. The Sun (until it moves into Aries) is in Pisces with Neptune, which may feel like a softening of the energies. Pisces tends to soften, create fog but also dissolve boundaries. Mercury joins them on the 15th. Mars enters Gemini on the 3rd and will square the planets in Pisces, especially at near the end of the month. He will have an easy flow of energy with Saturn, since they are both in air signs. With Mars in chatty Gemini, there will be four planets in air, which means there will be a lot of “communication,” or talking, some of which may be important. In any event there will be a lot of talking! Later in the month with the Sun and Moon in Pisces, people may be more thin-skinned.

The New Moon occurs on the 13th at 5:21 a.m. She’ll be at 230 Pisces. The Full Moon occurs on the 28th at 1:22 a.m. She’ll be at 80 Libra.

April

As we begin April, only the Sun and Venus will be in Aries. As the month progresses there will be four planets in Taurus, the slowest, most stubborn earth sign of the zodiac: Sun, Mercury, Venus and Uranus. Taurus is very interested in and protective of Mother Earth, which might bode well for new green energy initiatives. But it does mean that we can all get stuck in our thinking and ways of doing things. Fortunately, all this earth will be softened by Neptune’s continued transit through Pisces and Mars’ entry into Cancer on the 14th. Jupiter and Saturn continue their transit through Aquarius, the sign of the innovator and revolutionary. The good thing with all the earth signs is that the ideas will have practical implications and a realistic chance of being implemented!

Pluto stations retrograde (i.e., starts moving from west to east in the heavens as we perceive it) on the 27th at 4:04 p.m. EDT at 260 Capricorn. When a planet is retrograde, we tend to experience the energies more inwardly and is a time to reflect and repose. Since Pluto is (and has been) transiting the house of values and resources in the US (Sibley) chart, its retrograde period may provide an opportunity for us to re-assess our values and who we want to use our resources and talents. And since it’s Pluto, this review will be a deep one and may cause some deep-seated reassessments. A retrograde period of any planet is a good time for any activity with “re” in front of it – re-assess, re-vise, re-view, re-pair, and re-pose. It’s a balance for the action when planets are in direct motion.

The New Moon occurs on April 11th at 10:31 p.m. EDT. She’ll be at 220 Aries. The Full Moon occurs on the 26th at 11:32 p.m. She’ll be at 70 Scorpio.

Happy Spring – and enjoy the flowers!

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 January – February 2020

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year – and new decade! January has the second in the pair of eclipses. (The first one, an annular solar eclipse occurred the day after Christmas.) And February features everyone’s favorite retrograde!

January

There is a prenumbral lunar eclipse on January 10th. Lunar eclipses occur at a full moon, and generally mark the beginning of ends of eras. The moon will be at 200 Cancer and the eclipse will last about four hours. It will not be visible in the US. Those with placements from 15-250 Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra could feel the impact of this eclipse more than others. Interestingly, this eclipse occurs very close to the Sun in the US Chart.

The next day Uranus, the planet of rebellion and breakdown of outmoded forms and ideas, ends its retrograde motion which began in August. It will be at 20 Taurus and will remain there for the rest of the month. People with planets in early degrees of fixed signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius) may feel the impact of this change of direction more than others. It may be a time when inner work, such as the breakdown of old patterns of thinking and feeling done during Uranus’ retrograde period, may be more openly or obviously seen or felt.

 On January 17th, Mercury moves into Aquarius followed by the Sun on January 21st. Aquarius is an air sign, the element of ideas, and we haven’t had many placements in the air element in a while. Aquarius, ruled by Uranus, is the sign of the rebel, the unconventional, the revolutionary. Hopefully in the weeks that these two planets are in air, new and innovative ideas will come forth to solve some of the issues we face and change structures and systems that no longer serve us. The Full Moon occurs on January 24th at 40 Aquarius.

Venus enters Pisces on the 14th and will be next to Neptune in that sign. Pisces is a water sign that seeks to merge with something greater than itself. It is the sign of faith, devotion, addiction and compassion. Neptune is the higher octave or expression of Venus, the planet of love and relationship. Venus says: I love you because you love me. Neptune says: I love you because it is in the nature of love to love.

 February

The first of the three Mercury retrogrades for this year begins on February 17th shortly after midnight. He’ll be at 170 Pisces, conjunct (next to) Neptune, which could make for some foggy thinking and/or spiritual inspiration, and he’ll remain in Pisces for the rest of the month. (He changes direction again on March 10.)

On the same day, Mars, the planet of assertion, aggression, war and initiating energy, enters Capricorn where he will remain through the end of March. He joins Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in this sign. All these planets will be in the house of values and resources in the US chart. Capricorn is an earth sign, generally concerned with the status quo and creation of plans, systems and structures – very thoughtful, deliberate, sometimes slow to change. It is also the sign of the spiritual initiate, ruled by Saturn, the planet of lessons of all types.

There are no planets in air once the Sun moves into Pisces on the 20th. The Full Moon occurs on the 9th at 200 Leo; the New Moon on the 23rd at 40 Pisces.

I hope your New Year and this new decade get off to a wonderful start!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret