Mercury retrograde

Astro Doings November – December 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

It’s hard to believe that this is the last Astro Doings for 2023. Seems like I was writing the first one just yesterday! We have some planets changing direction during November and December but still end up with three planets in retrograde motion by the end of 2023.

November

This month begins with 4 planets in retrograde (i.e. moving from west to east by our perception.) They are Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and they’ve been retrograde for several months. There are three planets in water (Mars, Saturn and Neptune) and three planets in earth (Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto). There is only on planet in an air sign – Venus in Libra.

In addition, Sun/Mars in Scorpio oppose Jupiter/Uranus in Taurus. Both Taurus and Scorpio are fixed signs, meaning their energy can feel stubborn, slow-moving but sustaining. Opinions at this time can be deeply entrenched and compromise is hard to find with opposing fixed signs. Scorpio sees deeply and understands and uses power. Taurus finds change almost impossible, although it can be more easily focused on Mother Earth and earthly concerns. The energy during this time may seem stalled. When the Sun, Mercury and Mars enter Sagittarius, a mutable fire sign, towards the last third of the month, the relationship with Jupiter and Uranus will change. Now, Sun, Mercury and Mars are in an incompatible sign (fire) with Jupiter and Uranus (earth). In addition the quality of Sagittarius (mutable, changeable, restless) does not easily get along with the fixed (stubborn, sustaining) energy of Taurus.  And there is only one planet in air (the sign of ideas, relationships), and that’s Venus in Libra. So we’re not likely to see any new ideas or any ideas about relating to one another.

Saturn is the first planet to change directions. He’ll station direct on November 4 at 3:03 a.m. EDT. He’s at 00 Pisces. When a planet changes directions it tends to stop and pulse energy on the degree (and sign) that it’s in. Saturn is also at what we call a critical degree of a sign. In this case it’s at the beginning of Pisces, a watery sign – intuitive, psychic, often overwhelmed by this plane – and it is considered the sign of faith. Pisces people have a very difficult time with this plane. Saturn here may provide structure to our faith or inhibit it in some way.

Otherwise, November is pretty quiet. The Sun enters Sagittarius on the 22nd at 9:03 a.m. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, optimism and general good fortune. Sagittarians tend to look before they leap and speak before they think. Overall they are seeking truth in all its forms. The US chart (Sibley) has Sagittarius rising and these characteristics of the American psyche may be more evident with the Sun in Sag.

The New Moon occurs on November 13th at 4:27 a.m. She’ll be at 200 Scorpio. The Full Moon occurs on November 27th 4:16 a.m. She’ll be at 40 Sagittarius.

December

December is a little bit more active with three planets changing direction. And more planets are in water and earth, which are compatible elements. There will be no planets in air in December, as Venus enters Scorpio early in the month.

The first direction change is Neptune on December 6 at 8:20 a.m. EST. She’ll be at 240 Pisces. She’s been retrograde for 5 months and in Pisces since 2012. Perhaps with this change of direction, our faith will be stronger and our fog clearer!

The second is everyone’s favorite – Mercury. This is the last Mercury retrograde of the year – yipppeee! He’ll station retrograde on December 13th at 2:09 a.m., and he’ll be at 80 Capricorn. He’ll back into Sagittarius on the 23rd.  And yes, we’ll begin 2024 with Mercury retrograde.

And last, but certainly not least, Jupiter stations direct on the 30th at 9:40 p.m. He’ll be at 50 Taurus.

The Winter Solstice, when the Sun enters Capricorn, occurs on December 21st at 10:27 p.m. At that point we’ll have 5 planets in earth – Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto – a time for practical solutions and perhaps a focus on our beloved planet! There will be 3 planets in water: Venus, Saturn and Neptune.

The New Moon occurs on December 12. She’ll be at 200 Sagittarius. The Full Moon occurs on December 26th at 7:32 p.m. She’ll be at 40 Cancer.

I hope you have wonderful holidays and the very best in the New Year! I’ll see you in January.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings September- October 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

September

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

September 3-4

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

September 15

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

September 23

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

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

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

October

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

October 10

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

October 14

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

October 28

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

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

Happy Fall, everyone!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July-August, 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

We begin July with three planets in retrograde motion (Saturn, Neptune and Pluto).  By the end of August we’ll have six planets apparently moving from west to east by our perception. When a planet is retrograde, we tend to experience the energy more inwardly and things seems to slow down. It is a time of introspection and there doesn’t appear to be much forward movement.  In addition, there are no planets in air signs until the very end of August when Mars moves into Libra, a sign ruled by Venus. The element of air rules communication, ideas, innovations and inspirations.  Between the number of retrograde planets and planets in earth signs, July and August have a rather subdued feeling about their energy.

July

July is the quieter of the two months. Two planets move into Leo (Venus and the Sun), and Mars moves into Virgo. He then is in an easy flow of energy with Jupiter in Taurus. Uranus and Pluto are also in earth signs, Taurus and Capricorn, respectively. Leo is a fire sign, full of enthusiasm, energy and playfulness. (Leo also tends to be a bit self-centered, all while feeling very unworthy. A complicated sign, for sure.)  Earth is a great way to put a fire out, so with four planets in earth signs, Leo’s fiery enthusiasm may have some trouble getting itself expressed. Too much fire, as we well know, can destroy much – think wildfires.

Venus stations retrograde on July 22nd at 9:23 EDT, the same day that the Sun enters Leo. She’ll be at 280 Leo.

The Full Moon occurs on July 3 at 7:39 a.m. EDT. She’ll be at 110 Capricorn. The New Moon occurs on July 17th at 2:32 p.m. She’ll be at 240 Cancer.

August

Two planets station retrograde, which means they start moving from west to east by our perception, but it can take them a little bit to get moving again. The first is everyone’s favorite, Mercury, and the second is Uranus. Both of these planets are concerned with the mind – Mercury with how we think and process information and Uranus with innovative ideas and insights.  By the end of the month only Mars and Jupiter will be going “direct,” i.e. from east to west.

Mercury stations retrograde on August 23rd at 3:59 p.m. EDT. He’ll be at 210 Virgo. This is the same day that the Sun enters Virgo at 5:01 a.m. Mercury is comfortable in the analytical sign, Virgo, with its attention to detail. Virgo is an earth sign. On August 28th at 10:39 p.m. Uranus stations retrograde. He’ll be at 230 Taurus, which is also an earth sign. There will be five planets in earth at the end of the month.

Mars enters Libra on the 27th and will be the only planet in an air sign. Mars is not happy in Venus’ sign, focused on balance, peace, and relationships. Libra has two speeds – very fast or not at all. With warrior Mars in this sign, these energy swings may be more pronounced.

Neptune is the only planet in a water sign (Pisces). Water signs generally relate to intuition, sensitivity and emotions. And of course, water softens earth.

The New Moon occurs on August 16th at 5:38 a.m. She’ll be at 230 Leo. There are two full moons in August. The first occurs on August 1st at 2:32 p.m. She’ll be at 90 Aquarius. The second, or blue moon, occurs on August 30 at 9:36 p.m. She’ll be a 70 Pisces.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

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.
, , , , , , ,
  • 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