Mars

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

Astro Doings September-October 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

September

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

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

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

October

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

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

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

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

Have a wonderful fall!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July-August 2019

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Hi Everyone

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

July

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August

August 11: Both Jupiter and Uranus change directions!

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

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

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

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

Have a great summer!

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret

Astro Doings February 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy the quiet!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret