Mercury retrograde

Astro Doings May – June 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the hybrid solar eclipse. It was spectacular online! May has the second eclipse of the pair – a lunar eclipse.  (They always come in twos, and sometimes in threes!) There’s a lot of fixed energy in May – read sustaining and/or stubborn, so things may seems slow to move forward.

May

Pluto is not so sure about this change of signs from Capricorn to Aquarius that happened in March. So, on May 1at 1:09 p.m. EDT, the planet starts its 5-month retrograde period. It will be at 00 Aquarius and will remain there for the whole month. Aquarius is an air sign, an innovator, destroyer of outmoded forms and stubborn—or sustaining—to put a more positive spin on things.

On the 14th at 11:17 p.m. Mercury ends his retrograde period at 50 Taurus, squaring Pluto. Taurus is an earth sign – and one of the most stubborn of the zodiac. Taurus is very practical with a “show-me” attitude, and Aquarius is the sign of the innovator, the rebel. So you can see how they might not get along too well! Then on the 17th Jupiter joins the party, entering Taurus, right on top of Mercury.  Don’t forget that Uranus is also in Taurus, so that’s three planets in the same sign. We call that a stellium – lots of stubborn, practical energy, but no one wants to change their mind!

Then on the 20th at 11:31 a.m., Mars enters Leo, another fixed sign. This time the element is fire, and it’s on the opposite side of the heavens from Uranus. Think teeter-totter. Balance? And everyone is ganging up on all that staid Taurean energy. Fire wants to get things moving – is enthusiastic and sometimes reckless – and earth is a great way to put fire out.

Meanwhile, on May 5th there will be a lunar eclipse at 140 Scorpio. Might just as well have all the fixed signs at the party! Scorpio is on the other side of the zodiac from Taurus and is a water sign. The water may soften Taurus some, and earth does provide boundaries for emotional water. The eclipse will last about four hours and is not visible in the US. (We have to wait until next April for a full solar eclipse to cross the US and Canada.)  If it impacts your chart, the impact will last approximately four months. This eclipse is about service and giving up old patterns that no longer serve us. 

The New Moon occurs on May 19th at 280 Taurus. The Sun enters Gemini (phew, not a fixed sign!) on May 21st at 3:09 a.m. Gemini is an air sign of changeable quality (mutable). Gemini likes to explore everything for about five minutes. It is the sign of the writer and the teacher.

June

Venus has been feeling left out of the fixed sign party, so she enters Leo on the 5th and is opposed Pluto, squares Jupiter and is next to Mars. Venus and Mars in the same sign can feel like walking with your shoes tied together, or it can feel like balance between masculine and feminine energies. 

On June 11th Pluto decides it’s had enough of this Aquarian stuff and backs into Capricorn, which is much more familiar. It won’t return to Aquarius until January 2024. Capricorn is an earth sign, rules the status quo and major structures. Pluto’s long transit in Capricorn, from 2008 when it first entered the sign to now, has contributed to major changes (or identifying the need for change) in many major institutions and systems. I believe Pluto’s return to Capricorn may finish any changes that weren’t made earlier and/or identify additional changes. These may look like more upheaval.

Saturn stations retrograde (moves from west to east in the sky from our perspective) on June 17 at 1:27 p.m. He’ll be at 70 Pisces. Pisces is a water sign that has a very difficult time managing on this plane. Saturn rules structure – he is the ruler of Capricorn – so it’s a challenge for him to be in the watery realm of Pisces. This may be a time to examine what we truly believe and ramp up our meditation practice. It’s an inner time for sure.

The Full Moon occurs on the 3rd at 130 Sagittarius. The New Moon occurs on the 18th at 260 Gemini.

And the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer, occurs on the 21st when the Sun enters Cancer, another water sign.

Enjoy the spring and beginning of summer!

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

Astro Doings January – February, 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year! I hope this new year brings you all good things!

January

Well, 2023 begins with three planets in retrograde motion (seemingly moving from west to east). They are Mercury, Mars, and Uranus and all three end their retrograde motion during this month. So, there’s lots of intense activity going on. As I’ve said previously, when a planet changes direction, it stops before it starts moving in the other direction. It’s rather like a fan that changes direction, if you think of how a fan stops and just pulses before it starts moving in the opposite direction. So the degree and sign where the planet is when it changes direction is getting a lot of energy thrown at it, and if it’s near a planet or other placement in your chart, it could impact you.  Let’s look at them in order.

Mars: January 12 at 80 Gemini

Mars ends his retrograde period in the chatty sign, Gemini, on January 12th at 3:56 p.m. EST. He’ll be at 80 Gemini, which is the sign of the teacher, the writer and communicator. It’s an air sign that’s fascinated by everything for about 5 minutes. Scattered is another good adjective for Gemini, who bores easily and is endlessly seeking something new. It also happens to be right on top of Uranus (planet of rebellion and higher-level thinking) in the US (Sibley) chart. In mundane astrology (the branch of astrology that studies countries), the sixth house, which is where Uranus is in the US chart, is the house of public health, epidemics, health service, military personnel, workers, and trade unions. There will be restlessness during Mars’ transit of Gemini, which may be more obvious or overt during his direct motion.

Mercury: January 18 at 80 Capricorn

Yeah! Mercury ends his retrograde period on the 18th at 8:12 a.m. EST. Communication will hopefully be more straight forward and clear. And your computer may work better! (Well, we can hope.) Results of inner work done during Mercury’s retrograde period may become more obvious to you now. Capricorn is an earth sign that likes to plan, likes to feel secure in the way things have always been done, but is also determined to achieve his/her goals, whatever they are.

Uranus: January 22 at 140 Taurus

The planet of rebellion, higher level thinking of all kinds and destroyer of outmoded form(s) ends his retrograde on January 22 at 5:59 p.m. EST. Now, Uranus is not particularly happy in slow-moving Taurus, an earth sign noted for not changing its mind or moving from its chair. However, this placement could lead to innovative ways of working with (rather than against) Mother Earth. Being the most earth-bound of all the signs, Taurus is very interested in Mother Earth and her well-being. The slowness of Taurus can slow Uranus’s innovative ideas down long enough to become reality or at least to be thoroughly explored. Taurus is also only interested in practical ideas or solutions, which may tame some of Uranus’ tendencies to be somewhat far-out.

For the rest of January and all of February, all planets are in direct motion, that is, moving from east to west by our perception. It also means that the energies of the planets are more outwardly focused.  That does not mean, however, that all the planets will get along during these two months! Saturn and Uranus will continue to square each other – Saturn in Aquarius (ruled by Uranus), which is fixed (stubborn, sustaining) air and Uranus in Taurus, which is fixed earth.  Jupiter moves into Aries, ruled by Mars. Jupiter tends to make us “very” whatever sign he’s in. Aries is the warrior, with fiery enthusiasm and a lack of caution.

The Sun enters Aquarius on January 20th. The Full Moon occurs on January 6th at 6:08 p.m. She’ll be at 100 Cancer. The New Moon occurs on January 21st at 1:29. She’ll be at 10 Aquarius.

February

February is pretty quiet.

From February 9-18 the Sun is next to (conjunct) Saturn, both in airy Aquarius. This may mean delays/restrictions (Saturn) in implementing innovative ideas that benefit mankind as a whole (Aquarius). Mercury enters Aquarius on the 12th and squares Uranus on the 19th. (The Sun and Saturn also square Uranus, planet of rebellion and ruler of Aquarius).

At the same time, Venus is next to Neptune, both in watery Pisces. Pisces, in general, finds it very difficult to deal with this plane and seeks to escape one way or another. Neptune, ruler of fog, illusion and disillusion, rules Pisces. It is said that Neptune is the higher octave of Venus. Venus says, “I love you because you love me.” Neptune says, “I love you because it is in the nature of love to love.” 

The Sun enters Pisces on February 18th at 5:34 p.m.  The Full Moon occurs on February 5th at 1:29 p.m. She’ll be at 160 Leo. The New Moon occurs on February 20th at 2:06 a.m. She’ll be at 10 Pisces.

Have a good winter! March promises to be more exciting, so enjoy the relative quiet!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings November – December 2022

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

I can hardly believe that I’m writing the last Astro Doings for 2022. Where has the year gone?

November

November has some challenging planetary placements, most notably a powerful t-square that involves between five and six planets. It also has a total lunar eclipse, on November 8, the date of the US mid-term elections. This is the first time in our history that this has happened.

T-square:  A t-square consists of an opposition and a square in the shape of a T. Hence the name. On one end are the Sun, Mercury and Venus in Scorpio and in opposition (on the other side of the heavens) is Uranus in Taurus and squaring everyone is Saturn in Aquarius. You’ll note that all the signs involved are fixed, which can mean stubborn, entrenched and/or sustaining. At least there is some compatibility in the quality of the signs, but not so much in the elements. Earth (Taurus) and water (Scorpio) work well despite their opposing approaches to things. Air (Aquarius) not so much….. Scorpio gets an addition boost of water with Jupiter and Neptune in Pisces, which they both rule. (Jupiter is the “ancient” ruler of Pisces.) So there is a boat load (ha,ha) of emotional, watery, sensitive, and entrenched energy in this line up. Those with placements in mid-degrees of any of the fixed signs, including Leo, may be more sensitive to this configuration. The T-square dissolves around the 23rd when the Sun, Mercury and Venus move into Sagittarius, a mutable fire sign. Saturn continues to square Uranus however.

Total Lunar Eclipse:  To add to the T-square festivities, on November 8th the Moon will be next to Uranus in Taurus, opposed the Sun, Mercury, and Venus. This eclipse is visible in the US if you’re willing to get up around 3-4 in the morning on the East coast (and assuming the skies are clear). This eclipse occurs on the Moon’s south node, which means that has a lot to do with payback and selfless service. It will last for about 6 hours which means planets around 160 will remain sensitive to any transit over them during the next 6 months.

On November 22nd the Sun moves into Sagittarius and Jupiter ends his retrograde motion in Pisces. He’ll be at 280 and will stay there for the rest of the month. The New Moon occurs the next day and Jupiter changes directions (goes direct) at 6:02 p.m. He’ll be at 280 Pisces.

December

Two planets change direction during December: Neptune and Mercury, and while the month starts with some energy in fire signs, it ends with most planets in earth and only two in air signs.

Neptune: ends its retrograde period on December 3rd at 7:15 p.m. ET. She’ll be at 220 Pisces. after Jupiter moves into Aries on the 21st she’ll be the only planet in a water sign.

Winter Solstice: occurs when the Sun enters Capricorn, a cardinal earth sign, which will occur on December 21st at 4:48 p.m. ET. He’ll be joined by Mercury, Venus, and Pluto in the same sign. Capricorn has to do with the status quo, practicality, and large institutions. Capricorn is considered by some to be the sign of the spiritual initiate, like the sure-footed goat, climbing the mountain of spiritual understanding. Mars and Saturn (the ruler of Capricorn) are in air signs (Gemini and Aquarius, respectively).

Mercury: begins his last retrograde period of 2022 on December 29 at 4:32 a.m. ET. He’ll be at 240 Capricorn. He’ll end his retrograde period in January.

The Full Moon occurs on December 7th at 160 Gemini. The New Moon occurs on the 23rd at 10 Capricorn.

I hope you have wonderful holidays and all the best in the coming year.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings September-October 2022

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

It’s hard to believe that the summer is almost over and we’re talking about the fall. August ended with 5 planets in retrograde motion – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. From our perspective on Earth these planets are moving from west to east, although we know they aren’t in reality. This change of apparent movement is all part of the celestial dance of the planets. However, if you’ve felt that things don’t seem to be moving, or they’re moving in the wrong direction, this can be how the energy of retrograde planets feels. Retrograde motion is part of the action and repose rhythm of the universe, but we humans don’t always do repose well. It can also feel like an inner/introverted time, in which meditation, contemplation and alone time take center stage. It can also feel like stagnation, frustration and impatience.

September

The five retrograde planets continue to appear to move from west to east during the month. This will continue to be an inner time for many of us. And starting on the 9th, we will have 6 planets in retrograde motion, with Mercury changing directions at 11:38 p.m. EDT on that Friday. He’ll be at 80 Libra, an air sign focused on relationship, fairness and balance. He’ll back into Virgo by the last week of the month. Virgo is an earth sign that likes to categorize and analyze in a practical way.

The square (challenging) relationship between Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus continues throughout September. I would refer you to Astro Doings July-August for a more complete analysis of the challenge between antithetical principles represented by these two planets and signs.

The Autumnal Equinox occurs on the 22nd when the Sun enters Libra at 9:04 p.m. EDT. The Harvest (Full) Moon occurs on the 10th at 5:59 a.m. She’ll be at 170 Pisces. The New Moon occurs on the 25th at 5:55 p.m. She’ll be at 20 Libra.

October

October will be a busy month with 4 planets changing direction and a solar eclipse.

Direction changes

Three planets that change direction will be ending their retrograde period and start moving from east to west by our perception, and one planet will begin a retrograde period. When a planet changes direction, it stops for a bit, sort of like a fan changing direction, so the degree and sign where it makes the change can be felt rather intensely. The speed at which the planet normally moves will determine how quickly it starts moving forward.

  • Mercury: Mercury goes direct on October 2nd at 5:07 a.m. He’ll be at 240 Virgo and will move back into Libra on the 10th.
  • Pluto: Pluto ends its 5-month retrograde period on the 8th at 5:56 p.m. She’ll be at 260 Capricorn. She’ll stay at 260 throughout November, and at the time of the US elections will be conjunct (at the same degree or very close) to natal Pluto in the house of values and resources in the US (Sibley) chart. Pluto rules the underworld and represents deep seated attitudes, fears and beliefs both personally and collectively. Those with planets in late degrees of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra and/or Aries may feel the impact of this change of direction more strongly than others.
  • Saturn: Saturn goes direct on the 23rd at 12:07 a.m. He’ll be at 180 Aquarius. Saturn is the ancient ruler of Aquarius (before Uranus was discovered). While Aquarius is often described as the innovator, revolutionary and destroyer of old, out-moded forms, Aquarians can be very stubborn in their opinions. While they are all about change, it’s for usually for someone else. Saturn can represent restriction, lack and a refusal to change the way things are, so this is a challenging placement. Used positively, Saturn will provide wisdom, practicality, and time to consider any change that is made.
  • Mars: Mars, the planet of war, initiator, innovator, and poorly controlled impulses will start his retrograde period on October 30th at 9:26 a.m. He’ll be at 250 Gemini. He’ll be retrograde for the rest of the year, and during this period we may be less impulsive and may look before we leap. This energy can also be used for any inner changes we want to make. Gemini is an air sign that wants to explore everything for about 5 minutes. It is the sign of the writer and teacher and is endlessly curious, potentially providing energy for inner exploration.

Solar Eclipse

This is a partial solar eclipse that will not be visible in the US. It occurs on the 25th at 20 degrees Scorpio. A solar eclipse generally represents a new beginning and/or a new pattern emerging. Scorpio is a water sign that penetrates the depths of our being. It understands on a very deep, and not always obvious, level. It also can see into the depths of others, which can be rather disconcerting. You cannot fool a Scorpio – s/he’ll see right through it. For those with placements in early degrees Scorpio, Taurus, Leo and Aquarius this can be a time of new beginnings and deepening understanding of self and others. The eclipse will last about 4 hours, which means this will be a sensitive point for the next 4 months. Anytime a planet, Sun or Moon, transits the degree of the eclipse, the energies of 20 Scorpio will be triggered – an opportunity to revisit them for further understanding and potential change.

The Sun enters Scorpio on the 23rd at 6:36 a.m. The New Moon (solar eclipse) occurs on the 25th and the Full Moon on the 9th at 4:55 p.m. She’ll be at 160 Aries.

Have a lovely early fall and enjoy the dance of the planets.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January-February 2022

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year! This year begins with a predominance of earth energy, especially Capricorn, through the next two months. Jupiter and Neptune are the only two planets in water, both in Pisces. As January progress, Mars, which is currently the only planet in fire, will move into Capricorn as well, so there will be no planets in a fire sign. Fire initiates, inspires and warms. . .

January

As the month begins, there are four planets in Capricorn: Sun, Mercury, Venus and Pluto. Three planets change direction during January, including everyone’s favorite – Mercury.

Mercury: The planet of the concrete mind, every-day thinking, communication of all types, travel and computers begins January in Capricorn but quickly moves into Aquarius on January 2nd. Mercury likes to be in Aquarius, the sign of the inventor, new ideas and ways of looking at the world. He is said to be exalted in Aquarius, which means the potential for the highest expression of the planet. He stations retrograde (i.e., begins his three-week retrograde motion) on the 14th at 6:41 a.m. and he backs into Capricorn on the 25th at 10:05 p.m. He remains in Capricorn for the rest of January and the first half of February.

Uranus: Uranus ends his long retrograde period on the 18th at 10:27 a.m. He’ll be at 100 Taurus, an earth sign, so an easy flow of energy with all the planets in Capricorn. Uranus is the planet of rebellion, destroyer of outdated forms and structures, both personal and collectively. He’ll remain at 100 Taurus for the rest of the month. Those with planets in fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio) may feel this change of direction more acutely. Many ideas, plans, innovations that have seemed to be on the back burner may come to fruition or the steps to their realization clearer as Uranus continues its direct motion, (i.e. moving forward).

Venus:  Venus, the planet of beauty, love, and harmony, ends her retrograde period on the 29th at 3:46 p.m. She’ll be at 110 Capricorn. Hopefully our ability to express our affection and support for one another will be easier as Venus starts to move forward. She is brilliant in the night sky right now, so be sure to enjoy her. She’ll fade behind the sun’s glare in early January and then become the morning star in the middle of the month. Venus is not particularly happy in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. Expressions of love and affection may be more subdued during her time in this sign.

Mars enters Capricorn on the 24th and Mercury on the 25th, so we’ll have four planets in Capricorn and one planet in Taurus – a total of 5 planets in earth. Hopefully this earth focus will translate into climate change initiatives and a greater appreciation for our beloved planet. It can also indicate that our thinking/solutions to issues will be practical and implementable. However, Taurus is the most stubborn sign of the zodiac, so we may also be slow to change our minds/opinions about things. Capricorn represents the status quo and a reluctance to change how things are done.

The Sun enters Aquarius on the 19th at 9:39 p.m. The Full Moon occurs on the 17th 6:48 p.m. She’ll be at 270 Cancer. The New Moon occurs on January 2nd at 1:33 p.m. She’ll be at 120 Capricorn.

February

February is much quieter than January – phew!

Mercury ends its retrograde period on the 3rd at11:13 p.m. He’ll be at 240 Capricorn, right next to (conjunct) Pluto. In the beginning of the month the Sun will be conjunct Saturn, so rebellion and innovation may be delayed (Saturn) in their expression, both personally and collectively. Mercury will join the Aquarian party on the 14th, so we’ll have a total of three planets in this air sign. This Aquarian energy will be in a challenging relationship with the ruler of the sign, Uranus, which is in Taurus. This means that whatever new ideas come forth must meet the test of practicality and, hopefully, beneficence for Mother Earth. I should also add that both Aquarius and Taurus are fixed (stubborn) signs, so positions may be deeply entrenched and change slow to come about – again both collectively and personally, for those with planets in fixed signs – Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, and Scorpio.  

The New Moon occurs on the 1st at 120 Aquarius. It’s also the Lunar New Year – the year of the Tiger. The Full Moon occurs on the 16th with the Moon at 270 Leo.

The Sun enters Pisces on the 18th at 11:43 a.m. and joins Jupiter and Neptune in this watery sign of faith, illusion, fog, and redemption. How’s that for a set of qualities? Pisces is very strong with both of her rulers, current (Neptune) and past (Jupiter) in the sign. Her strength at this time may soften entrenched attitudes of the earth signs, just as water softens earth.

I wish you all a happy, healthy New Year filled with abundant blessings!

Peace,

Margaret

Astro Doings September – October 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

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

September

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

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

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

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

October

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

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

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

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

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings May – June 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you enjoyed the quiet of March and April, as May and June promise to be very busy. We have four retrograde planets and two eclipses in the next two months. So here we go!

May

In the beginning of the month there’s going to be a lot of air energy – ideas, conversation, talk, talk, talk. Mercury and Venus go into Gemini early in the month are joined by the Sun on the 20th. Gemini is the sign of the writer, teacher and communicator. In general, they are fascinated by everything for about five minutes and then move onto something else. They want to sample as much of life as they can without delving into anything too deeply, because it would mean they would miss out on something else that might be equally or more interesting.

Saturn in Aquarius is in an easy flow of energy with Gemini, although Aquarius can be pretty stubborn in its revolutionary way of thinking. While Aquarius is about making significant, revolutionary change in systems, it can be very stubborn about making any personal change. Saturn stations retrograde at 130 Aquarius on May 23rd, which may mean any significant change may be slowed and/or some change is internal and won’t be expressed openly until the fall.

Jupiter starts May in Aquarius but leaves it on the 13th to move in Pisces. Pisces has the same type of changeable energy as Gemini (mutable), but its element is water. While Gemini wants to experience a little bit of everything, Pisces wants to find a way out of earth plane energy which it finds very difficult. To ancient astrologers Jupiter was the ruler of Pisces (and Saturn was the ruler of Aquarius). So both planets are comfortable in the signs they’re in. Jupiter can accentuate the faith side of Pisces and the quest for something higher. Saturn can give form to Aquarius’s ideas about needed changes to outmoded ideas and systems.

The first lunar eclipse of 2021 is a total eclipse and occurs on May 26th. This Super Moon will be at 50 Sagittarius. While most of the five-hour eclipse will occur below the horizon for the East Coast, if you get up really early you may be able to see the beginning of it. (For more information about the eclipses and where they are visible, I recommend https://www.timeanddate.com.) People with planets in early degrees of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo and Pisces are most likely to be impacted by the energy of this eclipse. Lunar eclipses are about endings of patterns and about service. Sagittarius is about the quest for Truth and is generally optimistic in its outlook on life.

So if that wasn’t enough, May ends with everyone’s favorite retrograde! Yep, Mercury starts his three-week retrograde period on May 29th. He’ll be at 240 Gemini. Mercury rules Gemini. Be sure to choose your words carefully as miscommunications may abound. However, this is also a time to watch your inner dialog – how you talk to yourself about yourself and others. And of course, computers, travel, etc., etc.

June

As you know, eclipses come in pairs. The first “event” of June is an annular solar eclipse on June 10th. It will begin at 5:35 a.m. EDT and will last five hours. It will be partially visible on the East Coast. Again, check with timeanddate.com for more information. The Sun will be at 190 Gemini. Solar eclipses are about new beginnings, starting new patterns in this case of communicating, educating and experiencing. (Gemini). 

The week of June 20 will be a busy one! The Sun enters Cancer, the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere, on June 20 at 11:31 p.m. EDT. In case changing signs wasn’t enough, Jupiter stations retrograde also on June 20. He’ll be at 20 Pisces. He will back into Aquarius at the end of July and remain there until October. One use of this retrograde period in Pisces is to examine our inner faith – what do we believe in? What do we believe about ourselves? And when he moves into Aquarius, what patterns within us and our world would we like to change?

Then Mercury ends his retrograde motion on the 22nd. He’ll be at 160 Gemini. The Full Moon occurs on the 24th. And Neptune stations retrograde on the 25th. She’ll be at 230 Pisces. Like Jupiter’s retrograde in Pisces, this retrograde of Neptune can be used to explore the inner landscape of our faith. We can also explore ways we find it challenging to be on the earth and inner strengths we can use to meet those challenges.

Phew!

Hope you have a wonderful May and June! Happy flowers and growth!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January-February 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year! I hope you were able to see the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn – the Great Conjunction. It was really quite amazing and marks the beginning of a shift in elements and types of energy that will get stronger in January and February.

We’ve worked with a lot of cardinal energy over the past year, primarily Capricorn. The cardinal signs are Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn. Cardinal energy initiates but doesn’t follow though before it runs off to start something else. It is male in its feel and bores very easily. In January and February, the planets are moving more and more into fixed signs, primarily Aquarius and Taurus. Aquarius is an air sign and Taurus is an earth sign. Of course, the other fixed signs, Leo and Scorpio, will be impacted by this shift as well. Fixed energy moves more slowly, sustains the impetus from cardinal signs, but can be quite stubborn. It is feminine in its feel.

Air is the element of ideas, conversation and relationship. It can have a flighty quality to it, although once Aquarius gets an idea in his/her idea, it’s challenging to get them to see a different point of view. It’s clear that earth (Taurus) will need to work with air (Aquarius) during this period, but I believe it could bring positive, visionary and yet practical results. Taurus is the sign most closely connected with Mother Earth, so we may see visionary ideas being implemented around climate change. Could be a challenge, but I believe the fixed quality of the energy will mean we’ll see new ideas through to their manifestation.  

January

The shift to fixed energy will be gradual but will take place this month. We start out with Sun, Mercury and Pluto in Capricorn. We end the month with Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn in Aquarius, Mars and Uranus in Taurus. Venus and Pluto are in Capricorn. (Pluto will be in Capricorn until 2024.) The fixed energy will slow the energetic pace down, while Aquarius (the visionary) and Taurus (practical, determined) figure out how to bring new ideas into manifestation.

Interesting that both Mars and Uranus are in Taurus – neither planet is happy in the most Earthbound, stubborn and slow moving of all the signs. Uranus rules Aquarius and lightning bolts, and Mars rules Aries, the god of war. Their placement is a reinforcement of the slowing and calming of energies generally. Speaking of Uranus, he stations direct (i.e., ends his retrograde period) on the 14th at 3:36 a.m. He’ll be a 60 Taurus. Until Mercury retrogrades at the end of the month there will be no retrograde planets, which may mean that, while somewhat slower, things will move forward more easily. The energy will be less inward.

January ends with the first Mercury retrograde of the year. The 3-week retrograde begins on the 30th at10:52 a.m. He’ll be at 260 Aquarius. (He enters Aquarius on January 8th.) You all know the drill about Mercury retrograde – a great time for repose and reflection. . .

The Sun enters Aquarius on the 19th at 3:40 p.m. The New Moon is on January 13th. She’ll be at 230 Capricorn. The Full Moon occurs on January 27th at 2:16 p.m. She’ll be a 90 Leo.

 February

In February, Venus joins the Aquarius club on the 1st. Mercury stations direct on the 20th at 110 Aquarius. For the rest of the month and until the end of April, there will be no planets in retrograde motion – everyone’s going east to west in the heavens by our perception. This can mean that expression of what was learned or understood during retrograde periods is easier.

So, here’s February’s line up: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn in Aquarius, a fixed, air sign. Mars and Uranus in Taurus (fixed earth), Pluto in Capricorn (cardinal, earth). One lone planet in water – Neptune in Pisces until the Sun joins her on the 18th, and no major planets in fire.

The New Moon occurs on February 11th. She’ll be at 230 Aquarius. The Full Moon occurs on the 27th. She’ll be at 80 Virgo.

Here’s to a great New Year!

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