Mercury retrograde

Astro Doings January – February 2026

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year! I hope it is a wonderful one for you and yours!

January

January begins with the first Super Full Moon of the year – the Wolf Moon on the 3rd at 5:03 a.m. She’ll be at 130 Cancer and right next to Jupiter. Let’s hope there are clear skies where you are!

January also begins with five planets in earth signs – four in Capricorn. They are the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars with Uranus in Taurus. Jupiter and Neptune are in watery Pisces and there is only one planet in air – and that’s Pluto Aquarius. (We’ll fix that in February when several planets join Pluto. More on that later.)

So there is a lot of earth energy for the first two-thirds of the month. Earth is practical, slow-moving and Capricorn in particular is focused on the status quo, corporations and systems in general, and it is Saturn ruled. Cautious, deliberate and slow to change are good ways to describe Capricorn. The rings of Saturn have often been equated with fear or restriction. There is a New Moon at the very end of the sign (280) at 4:57 p.m. on the 18th.

Things begin to change on the 19th when the Sun enters Aquarius and is next to Pluto, the planet of deep-seated transformation and the underworld.   There weren’t too many new and innovative ideas in the early part of the month, but Aquarius is the sign of the inventor, the destroyer of old forms (thought and otherwise).  Mercury, the planet of thinking and communicating, joins the Aquarian party on the 20th, Venus on the 18th, and Mars on the 23rd.  Air signs, of which Aquarius is one, like to communicate and with Aquarians’ tendency to innovate, such as AI, we may see changes in how we communicate with each other.

Other big doings in January is Neptune’s leaving Pisces for good and entering Aries on the 26th at 12:37 p.m. This is the second outer planet to change signs recently. (The other is Pluto.) She’ll be in Aries for a long time (2038), and she is not particularly happy in Mars’ sign.  However, it can mark a new beginning as Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. Every planet has to deal in one way or another with Neptune as it changes signs. Neptune is the dreamer; Aries is the warrior, initiator. Maybe it’s time to put our dreams into action.  Anyone with placements in either late degrees of the water signs or early degrees of the fire signs may feel this shift of energy more profoundly. It will take Neptune some time to get adjusted to her new energy “home.”

February

So, this month begins with five planets in Aquarius, so lots of air, lots of ideas floating around.  So Geminis and Librans will be celebrating along with their Aquarian colleagues.

The month begins with a full moon (not a super one!) at 130 Leo at 5:09 p.m. And then on the 3rd Uranus (the ruler of Aquarius and the challenger of all form) stops and turns around (direct) at 9:33 p.m. He’ll be at 270 Taurus, an earth sign that basically hates changes. Both Aquarius and Taurus are “fixed” signs, which means they both tend to stay with their ideas or attitudes until they are thoroughly convinced to change. This may take some doing. . . .When a planet changes directions, it basically sits on the degree, in this case 270 for a while. Uranus will be at 270 Taurus until mid-March. So, attention all who have placements in your chart on or around 270 especially in Taurus, or the other fixed signs (Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius) or the other earth signs (Capricorn, Virgo.)

On the 6th, Mercury, the fastest moving planet, begins the exodus from Aquarius into Pisces, followed by Venus on the 10th, and the Sun on the 18th.  They will all be in an easy flow of energy with Jupiter in Cancer. All are water signs – emotional, intuitive, psychic, but not generally swayed by abstract or concrete thinking.  They follow how they feel, rather than how they think.

On the 17th lots happens. It’s the Chinese New Year (of the Horse), it’s Mardi Gras, and Ramadan begins. There is also an annular Solar eclipse at 280 Aquarius.  The eclipse will last about 5 hours, so if it impacts your chart it will do so for about five months. We will not be able to see it in the US. A solar eclipse generally indicates significant new beginnings in the area of your life (astrological house) where the impacted planets are.  Remember that any planet at late degrees Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Scorpio could be impacted by the eclipse. 

And on the 26th Mercury begins his first of three retrograde periods. He’ll be at 220 Pisces.  It ends on the first day of Spring – March 20. A Mercury retrograde, as I’ve written before, is a wonderful time to do anything with “re” in front of it – re-treat, re-group, re-think. . . .You can sign a contract or buy a new appliance. Just be sure to read the fine print before you sign.

I hope you have a wonderful winter!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings November – December 2025

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

HI Everyone

It’s hard to believe that 2025 is coming to an end as I write the last Astro Doings for the year.  There will only be one planet in an air sign as the year ends, and that is Pluto in early degrees Aquarius, so the realm of innovative, humanitarianly focused, ideas may be in short supply.  November promises to be a very busy month, December less so.

November

There are three planets moving into retrograde motion this month, and lots of planets in water.

7th: Uranus backs up into Taurus at 9:22 p.m. This is his last pass in the sign of the Bull. Taurus is a fixed (aka stubborn) earth sign – lover of beautiful things, chocolate and Mother Earth. Hopefully during his last pass in Taurus, Uranus, the planet of the higher mind, will come up with some innovative solutions to heal Mother Earth.

9th: Mercury starts his last three-week retrograde period at 2:02 p.m. He’ll be at 60 Sagittarius and will back into Scorpio on the 20th, conjunct (next to) the Sun.

11th: Jupiter begins his retrograde period at 11:41 a.m. He’ll be at 250 Cancer.

A word about retrograde planets. This is all a part of the celestial dance. When planets are retrograde we tend to experience their energy more inwardly or with more difficulty. For example, Jupiter is associated with good fortune, prosperity and optimism. When he’s retrograde, we may feel less optimistic and economies may seem less productive.

Also during this time there are five planets in water signs – lots of emotions, touchiness, psychic information but not a lot of reasoning, enthusiasm or practicality.  Starting on the 20th through the end of the month there is a grand trine (aka a big triangle, representing an easy flow of energy) in water with Mercury in Scorpio, Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn next to Neptune in Pisces. Oh yes, and a New Moon at 280 Scorpio.  When this happens the energy tends to spin around the triangle, going around and around but not out. 

27th: Saturn ends his retrograde motion at 10:52 p.m. He will sit at 250 Pisces through most of December, getting his bearings as it were.

29th: Mercury ends its last retrograde period of the year at 12:38 p.m. He’ll be at 200 Scorpio.

Phew!! Quite a month.  Oh yes, the Sun enters Sagittarius on the 21st at 8:36 p.m. and the Full Moon occurs on the 5th at 8:19 a.m. She’ll be at 130 Taurus.

December

The month begins with three planets in Sagittarius: Sun, Venus and Mars. Sag is a fire sign on a quest for Truth – generally optimistic, outspoken, and adventurous.  Overall this last month of the year is much quieter than November – a good thing!

10th: Neptune stations direct at 7:21 a.m. at 290 Pisces. This is another step in the dance but adds a little boost to the water energy, which is having a tough time with all the fire. Now, obviously fire and water signs don’t get along at all, and yet they must as they are all part of the dance. So Neptune changing directions just might add another splash of emotion to put fire’s enthusiasm out. But, on the other hand, too much fire can boil water away and emotion, compassion with it.

21st: Sun enters Capricorn at 10:03 a.m. — the Winter Solstice. The Sun joins Mars and eventually Venus in this earth sign of the status quo. Even though Capricorn is a cardinal sign, which likes to initiate things, it does so after much deliberation and after being convinced that the change is a good one.

The Full Moon occurs on the 4th at 6:14 p.m. She’ll be at 130 Gemini. And the New moon occurs on the 19th at 8:43 p.m. She’ll be at 280 Sagittarius.

I hope you have a wonderful end to 2025!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings September-October 2025

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hard to believe that the summer is almost over and that fall is here – well, almost. September is a busy month with two eclipses and planets changing sign. October is a little quieter.

September

The month begins with Saturn backing into watery Pisces from fiery Aries. Questions of faith (Pisces) may arise at this time for those with placements in late degrees of dreamy Pisces. Saturn has been here before, so any unresolved issues may come to the fore during his last pass-through Pisces. And as a reminder, Saturn’s practical status quo energy is not well suited to escapist Pisces, which has a lot of trouble dealing with this plane and will try to escape into a more pleasant (by its perception) place.

On the 6th the planet of rebellion, higher level thinking of all kinds, Uranus, stations retrograde in Gemini. Gemini rules communication of all kinds, so with this change in direction, communication may be disrupted or unclear.  When a planet is retrograde we tend to experience its energies more inwardly. You may find you journal more, as a way of inner communication, or that the nature of your journaling changes. This is just one example of how this retrograde might feel to you.

On the 7th we have the last lunar eclipse of the year. The Full Moon will be at 150 Pisces. It is the longest total lunar eclipse in several years, lasting over 5 hours, which means its impact will last about 5 months. Unfortunately we will not be able to see it in the US, but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel the energy of it. It is a Dragon’s Head eclipse, which often offers new opportunities and acts as an amplifier. (The Dragon’s Head indicates that the eclipse occurs in the same sign as the lunar nodes – in this case Pisces.). The inrush of energy can be somewhat disruptive, especially if you have placements near 150 in Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius or the other water signs, Cancer or Scorpio.

Just before the Autumnal Equinox (first day of Fall) Mercury enters Libra (on the 18th). Libra is a cardinal air sign, that seeks balance, frequently swinging from one extreme to another. It is said that Libra’s speeds are “like hell” and “not at all.” Lazy Libra frequently lives up to its reputation, but again it seeks equal balance in all things. It is also the sign of relationship – our first attempt at it anyway, so Libra seeks balance with the “other.” But Libra is about romantic relationship and does not do the “nitsy-gritsy” of relationship, unless other signs are involved. 

Also before the Equinox on the 22nd, we have the last solar eclipse of the year. Eclipses, as you know, come in pairs. The Sun will be at 290 Virgo. This is a Dragon’s Tail eclipse, which generally denotes a time to balance the ledger, and a time of selfless service. (A Dragon’s Tail eclipse occurs when the eclipse is in the opposing sign of the lunar nodes.) The ruling planet of this eclipse is Mercury, the planet of communication of all types. It is a partial solar eclipse, which again will not be visible in the US, but can be felt, and will last about 3 hours. Any placements that you have at the end of any earth sign (Capricorn, Taurus) or other mutable signs (Gemini, Pisces, Sagittarius) may be impacted by this eclipse for the next 3 months. I would refer you to Celeste Teal’s excellent book on eclipses for additional information and insights.

The Sun enters Libra at 2:19 p.m. on the 22nd.

October

October is much quieter than September. We get a breather. . .

On the 13th two things happen: Venus moves into her own sign, Libra, and at that point there will be no planets in earth signs. This may impact many things including focusing on Mother Earth and/or developing practical solutions to issues. There is a lot of air and some water, so a lot of ideas and emotions flying around, but no groundings.

The second thing that happens on the 13th is that Pluto stations direct (basically stops) at 10 Aquarius, ending his retrograde motion. Attention to all those with placements at early degrees of any of the air signs (Libra, Gemini) or any of the fixed (aka stubborn) signs (Leo, Taurus, Scorpio) as this change of direction may impact you. Pluto is the ruler of the underworld and Aquarius is the sign of the rebel. So what part of your rebel is seeking to be expressed at this time? Pluto doesn’t move very fast. She’ll be a 10 through November.

On the 22nd, Neptune retrogrades into Pisces, the sign she rules and joins Saturn in the sign of faith and illusion.  The Sun enters Scorpio also on the 22nd, adding more water to the mix. Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and the Sun are in water signs. That’s a lot of water – emotions may be running high this month.

The Full Moon occurs on the 6th. She’ll be at 140 Aries. The New Moon occurs on the 21st. She’ll be at 280 Libra.

Have a wonderful early fall!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July – August 2025

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you’re having a good start to your summer. July looks to be quite busy – August a little less so.

Saturn/Neptune Conjunction

I want to begin by talking about the Saturn/Neptune conjunction in Aries, which actually began last month. It will last until early next May using a pretty wide orb.  At first glance this seems to be a strange couple: Saturn, an earth sign, the ruler of order, status quo, authority figures and big business, and Neptune, a water sign, the ruler of dreams, otherworldliness, unable (or unwilling) to cope with this plane. Neptune seeks to escape this plane in a positive (meditation, spirituality) or negative (drugs, alcohol) way. Saturn seeks to maintain its version of order.

Both planets are very unhappy in Aries, the fiery sign of new beginnings (spring), quests, movement, excitement. It is a restless sign, always seeking something new. The energy of Aries does not fit easily with the energy of either Saturn or Neptune.

In astrology planets have signs that they “rule,” such as Neptune in Pisces or Saturn in Capricorn. They also have another sign that they like to be in, which is called their sign of “exaltation.” Sounds pretty cool, eh? And of course, the opposite sign to their sign of “exaltation” is their sign of “fall.” Saturn in exalted in Libra, because Libra is the sign of balance and perfect balance is stagnation, which Saturn loves. Now the opposing sign to Libra is Aries. So Saturn is not happy in the sign of the initiator, innovator, let’s get going and be ready to do battle. Neptune likes to dream, vacate the earth plane and generally hang out, so moving forward – or moving at all, except escaping – is not something Neptune likes to do, being happier in the realm of emotions. These two will back into Pisces in the fall, and Neptune will definitely have the upper hand when that happens until February when they’re both back in Aries. Saturn is also unhappy in Pisces, although the water of Pisces may soften the rigidity of Saturn.

But there is perhaps another way to look at this planetary combination. Neptune is the mystic, and more esoterically Saturn is the sure-footed goat that climbs the mountain of spiritual growth. And Aries energy can be used as an impetus (or a kick in the you-know-where) to move to another level of spiritual understanding and a different view of our world and ourselves. . . and that view would get another perspective when these two re-enter Pisces for the last time this fall. And their retrograde periods could signal a more inward focus. All fire signs are on a quest – and for Aries it is the quest for High Self – our higher understanding of who we are in truth. And he doesn’t let anything get in the way of his completing his quest.

Those with placements in early degrees Aries, Cancer, Capricorn and Libra may feel the impact of this conjunction more than others. And also late degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini and Sagittarius when both planets are again in Pisces. You might also look at where this conjunction occurs in your chart (which house), as this could be an area of impact of this conjunction.

July

Three planets station retrograde this month, including everyone’s favorite – Mercury. So, from the top:

On the 4th in addition to fireworks, Neptune stations retrograde at 20 Aries at 5:34 p.m. On the 13th, her buddy Saturn stations retrograde at 10 Aries at 12:07 a.m.  And on the 18th Mercury stations retrograde at 150 Leo at 3:59 a.m. (He goes direct on August 11.) Lots of fire here.

On July 7th Uranus moves into Gemini, where he is much happier. (He will back up into Taurus in November.) Gemini is an air sign and much better suited to Uranian energy than Taurus. There could be a frenetic quality to the energy, as Gemini likes to flit from thing to thing, but the ideas could be more visionary in their scope. Venus moves into Cancer on the 30th at 11:57 p.m. She will square (challenging relationship) the Saturn/Neptune conjunction in Aries. Cancer is a water sign and Aries is a fire sign – need I say more? And Venus and Mars are very different energies as well.

The Sun moves into Leo, the sign it rules, on the 22nd at 9:29 a.m. The Full Moon is on the 10th at 4:37 p.m. She’ll be at 180 Virgo. The New Moon occurs on the 24th at 3:11 p.m. She’ll be at 20 Leo.

August

August is a bit quieter. Good thing!

On the 6th Mars moves into Libra. Not only does Mars oppose the Saturn/Neptune conjunction in Aries, which he rules, but he is most unhappy in Venus’ sign of relationship and balance. However, he has Saturn and Neptune and Venus to play with. He also is trine Uranus in Gemini, so there may be more energy (Mars) put into balancing some of the ideas and chatter from Uranus in Gemini.

On the 11th Mercury ends his retrograde period at 3:30 a.m. He’ll be at 40 Leo. Phew! And Venus joins him in Leo on the 25th.

On the 22nd the Sun enters Virgo and the next day there is the New Moon at 00 Virgo, signaling the beginning of the change of season. Virgo is the sign of the harvest – the harvest of self as well as all those great veggies. The Full Moon occurs on the 9th. She’ll be at 170 Aquarius.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your summer!

Peace and abundant blessings.

Margaret

Astro Doings May-June, 2025

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Well, spring is really here now that it’s May and the Summer Solstice, of course, is in June.

May

May begins with three planets in Aries: Mercury, Venus and Neptune. Aries energy is fiery, warlike, initiating, and male. It initiates but doesn’t always finish, like all cardinal signs. Aries is on a quest and generally has a group of others on his quest with him. His quest is for his/her High Self and s/he fearlessly tackles all obstacles that present. Mercury moves into Taurus on the 10th, but Saturn completes the quartet entering Aries on the 24th. And Mars, the ruler of Aries, is in fiery Leo. When Saturn leaves Pisces and enters Aries at the end of the month, there will be no planets in water. Saturn will be next to Neptune in Aries. This could be an interesting conjunction with foggy Neptune impacting stern, status quo Saturn. They will both retrograde back into Pisces in July. It’s an interesting planetary combination to watch.

Pluto begins his six-month retrograde period on the 4th at 30 Aquarius. The only other planet in an air sign, until the Sun enters Gemini on the 20th, is Jupiter. Air is the element of ideas and conversation. Gemini likes to communicate – a lot! And Aquarius is the sign of the rebel and innovative ideas.

The Sun and Uranus are conjunct (next to each other) in late degrees Taurus on the 12th and the Moon is square Pluto in Aquarius at the same time. Both Taurus (earth) and Scorpio (water) are fixed (aka stubborn) signs, so the might be a lot of conflicting energy.

The New Moon occurs on the 26th at 60 Gemini. The Full Moon occurs on the 12th at 220 Scorpio.

June       

Things will slow down in June, as there will be more emphasis on water and earth this month, less fire, but still some. Mercury and Jupiter enter Cancer within days of each other: Mercury on the 8th and Jupiter on the 9th.  Venus enters her own sign, Taurus, on the 6th. Venus is all about beauty, flowers, and chocolate!

Mars enters Virgo on the 17th.  Mars is subdued in earthy Virgo, somewhat stymied Virgo’s analytical attention to detail.

Uranus is at late degrees Taurus and will enter Gemini in July. He’ll be a lot happier in airy Gemini than he is in slow moving Taurus. Water and earth do well together, as water softens earth and makes it more productive. There could be a softening.

Of course, the Sun moves into Cancer in June – the summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. This year it’s June 20.

The Full Moon occurs on the 11th at 200 Sagittarius. The New Moon occurs on the 25th at 40 Cancer.

I should mention that the Sibley chart of the US there are four planets in Cancer: Venus, Jupiter, the Sun and Mercury, and they fall in the houses having to do with foreign relations and international trade. Obviously the sun transits these placements every year, but this year we have Mercury and Jupiter in Cancer as well. It will be interesting to see how this manifests. Also to watch will be Uranus’s return to its natal degrees in the US chart (80 Gemini) in 2027. Stay tuned.

Hope you have a lovely spring and early summer.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings March-April 2025

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you are having a good winter so far. This spring promises to be an active one, at least astrologically speaking.

March

Hang onto your hat! March is going to be very busy with planets changing direction and sign and two eclipses. So let’s take them in order.

1st: Venus begins her retrograde motion at 7:36 p.m. at 100 Aries. Any time a planet changes direction it sits on the degree it was on when the change began before it starts the new motion. Sort of like a fan that changes direction. So Venus will be at 100 Aries for about a week. When a planet is retrograde, we tend to experience the energy more inwardly. Venus doesn’t like to be in Aries – it’s Mars’s sign, but maybe we can put more energy (Aries) into loving ourselves and each other (Venus retrograde).

14th: Total Lunar eclipse: 230 Virgo. This eclipse will be visible in the US – if the sky is clear and if you’re a night owl! It begins just before midnight and ends at 6 a.m. This eclipse is about service and letting go of old patterns. For those with planets or other points in the charts at late degrees Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius and of course Virgo may feel the impact of this eclipse more fully.

15th: Mercury begins his first retrograde period of 2025 at 2:46 a.m. He’ll be at 90 Aries and will back into Pisces at the very end of the month. Just a reminder that a Mercury retrograde is a great time to repair anything and also to retreat and regroup, but be sure to read any contracts very, very carefully before you sign.

20th: Vernal Equinox, the Sun enters Aries. The Sun will join Mercury, Venus and Chiron in Mars’s sign. Aries initiates, but doesn’t always finish and generally has lots of enthusiasm. But like all cardinal signs (Libra, Cancer and Capricorn are the others) its energy is like a flash in the pan and it’s gone. All fire signs are on a quest of some kind and Aries’ quest is for Self.  Like Jason and the Argonauts, the myth most closely associated with Aries, Aries likes to “travel” with a band of like-minded people.

29th: Partial Solar eclipse: 90 Aries. It will be visible in the Northeast and will last four hours. Solar eclipses are about powerful new beginnings. Those with placements in early degrees Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn may be more aware of this energy. It could also bring a powerful burst of new energy to everyone.

30th:  Neptune enters Aries. There’s a lot of Aries energy this March! Now the planet of illusion, spirituality, addiction, escapism has joined the Aries club, leaving the sign she rules (Pisces) where she’s been since 2011. (She’ll head back into Pisces in October and return to Aries in January 2026.) When one of the outer planets changes signs, this is a big deal and a big shift in energy. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what implications it has.

April

Phew! Made it through March!! April is quieter.

7th: Mercury ends his retrograde period. He’ll be at 260 Pisces and he’ll move back into Aries on the 16th.  Interesting to note that Mercury will be next to Saturn, Venus and trine Mars when he changes direction. A lot of water which has to do with emotion. . .

12th: Venus ends her retrograde period also. She’ll be at 240 Pisces and won’t enter Aries until the 30th.

18th: Mars enters Leo at 12:21 a.m. Leo is a fire sign and will be trine Neptune in Aries and opposed Pluto in Aquarius.  There’s a lot of water (emotion) and fire (enthusiasm, volatile) energy this month and not a lot of air (ideas).  Of course, water and fire don’t get along very well and frequently cancel each other out.

19th: Sun enters Taurus at 3:56 p.m. The only other planet in earth is Uranus (also in Taurus).  Not a lot of practicality or grounded energy, but maybe Taurus will slow down the frenetic pace of March with some practical solutions and an increased concern for Mother Earth!

Hope you have a wonderful early spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings November – December 2024

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hard to believe that this is the last Astro Doings for 2024. In the last two months of the year, Saturn and Neptune end their retrograde periods, Pluto changes signs, and we have the last Mercury retrograde.

November

The month begins with a New Moon at 90 Scorpio. At the same time, we have a complicated, closed figure, called a kite. Mercury, Neptune and Mars all trine (easy flow of energy) at very late degrees of their respective water signs (Scorpio, Pisces and Cancer), making a big triangle. And Pluto in Capricorn is sextile (opportunity) to the ends of the triangle, sort of “flying” the kite. There is a lot of emotion with this much water. Pluto in earthy Capricorn provides some boundaries although it could also suggest that emotions are impacting our values (Pluto in the 2nd house of the US chart) and institutions (Capricorn). Since all four planets are at late degrees of the signs they’re in (28-29 degrees) this suggests an ending of some sort powered by emotion. I would refer you to the Quality of Time article on the Astrodienst website (astro.com) for further information. Suffice it to say that when a figure is closed in astrology it generally means that the energy has a hard time expressing itself, sort of like a balloon filled with air that can’t get out. It can feel rather frustrating. Mercury will move out of orb, dissolving the kite, by November 10.

On the 3rd and 4th, Mercury and Mars move into fire signs (Sagittarius and Leo respectively). Fire is enthusiastic, volatile and inspired; it can warm you or burn you. This change of sign also weakens the kite although the planets are still in orb. But fire and water/earth don’t mix well, adding to the charged nature of the energy at this time.

On the 19th Pluto leaves Capricorn for good, entering Aquarius at 3:29 p.m. Aquarius is a fixed (aka stubborn) air sign and likes to operate in the realm of ideas, especially those that are visionary and potentially beneficial to all. We are in the Aquarian age of brotherhood. With Pluto entering this sign, we can anticipate (over its long transit through the sign – through 2044) changes, innovation and upheaval as we hopefully come to truly recognize that we are all one. Aquarians, by the way, are all about change as long as they don’t have to make any personal changes.

The Sun enters Sagittarius (another fire sign) on the 21st at 2:56 p.m. and Mercury starts his last retrograde of the year on the 25th at 9:42 p.m. He’ll be at 220 Sagittarius.

The Full Moon occur on the 15th at 4:28 p.m. She’ll be at 240 Taurus. This is the same day that Saturn stations direct at 9:20 a.m. at 120 Pisces. Pisces is the sign with two fish swimming in opposite directions unaware of the other one.  It is the sign of addiction and faith – quite a contrast. Saturn provides structure and limitation and asks us to examine our attitudes toward the sign he’s in. He represents the father and all authority figures.

December

Like November, December begins with a New Moon at 90 Sagittarius. Unlike November, December also ends with a second New Moon on the 30th. (See below.) The beginning of the month also features two planets changing direction: Mars and Neptune. Mars, the planet of war, stations retrograde on the 6th at 7:01 p.m. He’ll be at 60 Leo, opposed Pluto in Aquarius. On the 7th Neptune stations direct at 6:43 p.m. She’ll be at 270 Pisces, along with Saturn. When a planet changes direction, it stops and sits on the zodiac degree where it “stations,” aka stops before changing direction. It pulses there and if it’s near a point or planet in your chart it can really emphasize it.  Venus enters Aquarius on the 7th at 1:13 a.m., joining Pluto. It will be interesting to see how the planet of Love (Venus) works with the planet of the underground and deep-seated changed (Pluto). Pluto is named for the Roman god of the underworld (or Disney’s dog, whichever you prefer.) However, the energy of this planet of deep transformation is feminine. So we have two feminine energy planets in the male air sign, Aquarius.  Should be fun to watch, unless of course you have placements in early degrees Aquarius (or Leo or Taurus or Scorpio)!

Mercury ends his retrograde motion on 15th at 3:56 p.m. Yippeee!  He’ll be at 60 Sagittarius. The Full Moon is also on the 15th at 9:32 a.m. She’ll be at 230 Gemini.

The Winter Solstice occurs on the 21st when the Sun enters Capricorn at 4:21a.m. From then on the days get longer! Capricorn, an earth sign, is the sign of the status quo. The second New Moon occurs on the 30th at 5:27 p.m. She’ll be a 90 Capricorn.

I hope you have wonderful holidays and all the best in 2025!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July – August 2024

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you’re having a good summer so far. July and August look pretty quiet with the planets moving as they have been, dancing to the music of the heavens.

Saturn and Pluto continue their retrograde motion without changing signs. Saturn remains in Pisces, and Pluto is in early degrees Aquarius.

Neptune stations retrograde on July 2 at 6:40 a.m. at 290. She’ll remain in Pisces until 2025.

Mercury moves into Virgo at the end of July, Venus into Leo in mid-July and Mars into Gemini towards the end, joining Jupiter in that sign.

Mercury goes retrograde on August 5th. He’ll be at 40 Virgo. He stations direct on August 28th at 210 Leo. Venus moves into Virgo in early August and edges into Libra at the end of the month.

New Moons: July 5th; August 4th

Full Moons: July 21st; August 19th

Hope you have a wonderful summer!

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret

Astro Doings March – April 2024

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

March and April bring the first eclipses of 2024, which will be visible across much of the US.  You can find out about the astronomy of these eclipses online. I’ll comment on the astrology of them.

March

March begins with three planets in the air sign, Aquarius: Venus, Mars and Pluto. By the end of the month there will be only one planet in air (Pluto). Air is the element of communication, ideas and relationships. By the end of the month there will be four planets in watery Pisces: Venus, Mars, Saturn and Neptune. Water is the element of emotions and intuition. Fortunately Jupiter and Uranus are in Taurus, an earth sign, which may provide some boundaries to watery Pisces. All planets are in direct motion in March – no retrogrades. A sort of what you see is what you get feel.

The Vernal Equinox occurs on the 19th at 11:06 p.m. when the Sun enters Aries. Aries is a fire sign that likes to initiate but doesn’t always finish what it starts. This also marks the astrological new year.

The New Moon occurs on the 10th at 5:00 a.m. She’ll be at 200 Pisces. The first eclipse of the year occurs on March 23rd at 3:00 a.m. The Moon will be at 50 Libra. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun and Moon are opposed each other (a Full Moon).  This penumbral lunar eclipse will last about 4 hours and will be visible in the US, but it may be rather hard to see. This eclipse is focused on service and, on a personal level, can provide an opportunity to release old patterns. Those with placements at early degrees in Libra, Aries, Cancer or Capricorn may feel the impact of this energy more than others. For other air signs, it will be an easier flow of energy and opportunity for change.

April

April begins not only with April Fool’s Day but also the beginning of a three-week Mercury retrograde. Everyone’s favorite, right? But it can be a time for reflection and retooling. This may be a bit more challenging since Aries energy (and the energy of spring in general) wants to move forward, but the retrograde (moving backwards) tends to slow things down. Mercury will be at 270 Aries – perhaps a time to tune into our inner warrior. Mercury ends his retrograde period on April 25th at 8:54 a.m. He’ll be at 150 Aries.

The total Solar eclipse occurs on April 8th, when the Sun and Moon are at the same degree – 190 Aries. It will last about 5 hours, which means that this will be a sensitive point for 5 months – if it impacts your chart. Again, those with placements near 19 degrees in Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn may feel the impact of this energy more than others. This eclipse brings a lot of new energy with it, which can be disconcerting if you’re not ready for it. The Full Moon occurs on April 23rd at 40 Scorpio.

There is a lot of energy that impacts Aries this year – the solar eclipse and a Mercury retrograde. There can be a lot of initiatives with no follow-through; there can also be war, since Mars (the god of war) rules Aries. We may feel more impulsive, reckless and war-like. In its highest expression Aries is the quest for our spiritual selves, and we may put more energy into that quest than we have in the past. But it may feel a little bumpy this April. Saturn and Uranus are in the most slow moving of all the signs, Taurus, which may impact the Aries energy, adding to the more muted feel of Aries this year, but also bringing some practicality and deliberation to our Aries activities!

Have a wonderful Spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January – February 2024

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Happy New Year!

It’s hard to believe that we’re starting another year, but I wish you all the best in 2024. I think the biggest energetic change in the early part of 2024 is the return of the element of air into the planetary mix.  In January and February the element will be represented by Aquarius – the rebel, who hates the status quo. Air is the element of ideas, communication and relationship.

January

The New Year begins with the end of Mercury’s retrograde motion. He’ll station direct on New Year’s Day at 10:08 p.m. He’ll be at 220 Sagittarius – an optimistic, fire sign full of new ideas, but not necessarily a lot of follow through.

During the month there will be up to 5 planets in Capricorn (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Pluto). Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of restriction, delay and lack, but also the planet of spiritual growth. I’ve talked a lot about Capricorn in 2023 – the sign of the status quo, systems and institutions.

However, the Sun enters Aquarius on the 20th, bringing innovation, rebellion and finally some air into the mix. And a few hours later, Pluto enters Aquarius. This is big deal as the planet of transformation and deep-seated understanding leaves Capricorn (an earth sign) and begins to transform the realm of communication and ideas.  And a week later, on the 27th at 2:35 a.m., the ruler of Aquarius, Uranus, stations direct. He’ll be at 190 Taurus, an earth sign that is considered to be one of the most stubborn signs of the zodiac, but also one very involved in the well-being of Mother Earth. Uranus in Taurus will be in a challenging relationship to the planets in Aquarius, both are fixed (read stubborn) signs, but Uranus in Taurus will provide a practical lens to some of the more hairbrained ideas that Aquarius might come up with. Aquarius wants change – no matter what, but not personal change. Don’t ask an Aquarian to change the way s/he does thing! Aquarius’s vision for change is on a global scale for humanity at large.

The first New Moon of the year occurs on the 11th at 6:57 a.m. She’ll be at 200 Capricorn. The Full Moon occurs on the 25th at 12:54 p.m. she’ll be at 50 Leo.

February

There will be 4 planets in Aquarius during the month – Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars.  It’s important to remember that Aquarius can be rather aloof. It is also a fixed sign. When it gets an idea it can be a challenge to get an Aquarian to see another point of view.  And while their vision is of humanity as a whole, they can find people rather annoying, especially if their views do not agree.

The other interesting thing about this short month is that there are no retrograde planets. So this can be a time of expressing that which was learned during the long retrograde periods of 2023. Time will tell. . . . . It is also a leap year.

So, Mercury then Mars and then Venus enter Aquarius and are next to Pluto in very early degrees.  Oh, yes, the whole bunch will be in a challenging relationship (square) to Jupiter in Taurus, a very practical, slow-moving earth sign. Again, the opportunity to bring a practical lens (Taurus) to Aquarius’ innovative ideas of how to improve things.

The Sun enters Pisces on the 18th at 11:13 p.m.  I talked a lot about Pisces last year as Neptune transits the sign (and will continue to do so in 2024). The New Moon occurs on the 9th at 5:59 p.m. She’ll be at 200 Aquarius. The Full Moon occurs on the 24th at 7:30 a.m. She’ll be at 50 Virgo.

I hope you have a wonderful start to the New Year!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret