solar eclipse

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 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 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 September – October 2024

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

September

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

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

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

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

October

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope you have a great start to your fall!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings 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 September- October 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

September

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

September 3-4

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

September 15

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

September 23

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

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

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

October

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

October 10

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

October 14

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

October 28

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

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

Happy Fall, everyone!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings March-April, 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

I hope you enjoyed the relatively quiet February, because March and April promise to be very busy with lots of changes. So, let’s get started.

March

Every planet except Uranus and Neptune changes signs during March. That’s a lot of change! The major one is the hand off of the sign Aquarius from Saturn to Pluto – sort of like a relay race. They do appear to drop the baton, however, since Saturn enters Pisces on March 7th and Pluto enters Aquarius on the 23rd.  When outer planets change signs, it’s a big deal because they move so slowly. Saturn through this sign has brought delay, restriction, and fear, as he generally does in whatever sign he’s in. It’s also noteworthy that Saturn is the ancient ruler of Aquarius, so his energy expresses easily in this sign.  Aquarius is a fixed sign so it tends to remain stubbornly rooted in its opinions, but is also the visionary and one who is not afraid to change the status quo. So the baton passes from restriction and the status quo to the rooting out of deep-seated attitudes that are no longer viable.

This is the first time that Pluto has been in Aquarius since he was first discovered in 1930. So no one knows what deep-seated transformation Pluto will bring to the sign of the Water-bearer. Aquarius is a little confusing (or is it confused?) since it’s called the Water-bearer, but it’s an air sign . . . . We do know that Pluto’s transit through Capricorn has brought many challenges to established systems and ways of being of all sorts. It’s going to take Pluto a bit to settle down in his new environment. He’ll retrograde back into Capricorn a couple of times before he settles into Aquarius for good (or for the next 20 years) in November 2024. Aquarius is the sign of the rebel, the innovator, the destroyer of old forms. I would expect to see some upheaval in the areas of electronic media, Internet, and humanitarianism. Pluto removes (sometimes not gently) outmoded ways of being. Time will tell what other areas Pluto will use the Aquarian light of innovation, rebellion, and concern for mankind as a whole to change (or at least bring to our attention) systems and attitudes that no longer serve us as a whole (or personally).

Let’s not forget about Saturn, now in Pisces, the sign of faith, illusion, fog, spirituality, and escape. He joins the Sun, Mercury, and Neptune. Pisces is a water sign that finds navigating the earth plane challenging at times, impossible at others. It’s represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, unaware of each other. Saturn’s transit through this sign can strengthen our faith in the benevolence of the universe, or it can become more rigid and stringent in the rules and practices of our faith. It can be a call to re-examine our spirituality, as well as being on the earth in a kinder more compassionate way. It can also mean more restrictive laws about addictions of all kinds.

Other planets change signs in March:

  • Mercury moves into Aries on the 19th. Lots of new ideas, but can be rather scattered. Aries likes to start but not always finish.
  • Venus moves into Taurus on the 16th. Venus rules Taurus, so she’s very happy here. Lots of love to Mother Earth, appreciating beauty in all its forms.
  • Mars moves into Cancer on the 25th. Well, the god of war isn’t too happy in the Moon’s watery world. He’s likely to churn up our emotions or our initiatives may get drowned out by our emotions. Also of note, Mars will transit the Venus, Jupiter, the Sun, and Mercury of the US chart next month.
  • And the Sun moves into Aries (the Vernal Equinox) on the 20th. Time for new initiatives and ideas. Aries is also the sign of the warrior.

The Full Moon occurs on March 7th at 160 Virgo. The New Moon occurs on March 21st at 00 Aries.

April

Phew! Got through March. . .. April chugs along very nicely, no retrograde planets and only the speed demon planets, Mercury and Venus, change signs. Until. . .the 20th and 21st.

The first solar eclipse of 2023 occurs on April 20th. It is a total solar eclipse, but will not be visible in the US. The Sun and Moon will be at 290 Aries. The eclipse will last about five hours, so it will be active in people’s charts by transit for the next five months or so.  Solar eclipses generally indicate new beginnings, changes in attitudes, and brings an influx of new energy. This is just before the Moon and Sun enter Taurus. Aries is impulsive, energetic leader, who doesn’t always think things through. People with planets or other points in their charts at late degrees Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn may feel the impact of the eclipse more than others.

And the next day – it’s everyone’s favorite retrograde! Yep, Mercury stations retrograde on the 21st at 4:35 a.m. He’ll be at 150 Taurus. These retrograde periods, of which there are three each year, last about three weeks and represent times of repose, retreat, reflection. . . Of course, if we’re not into repose, this retrograde can bring frustration, delay, and confusion if we try to push the river or get something done in a hurry.  So, as much as possible, try to relax into this retrograde period – re-lax, re-treat, re-pair. . . .

And don’t forget Mars’ transits to the US chart all month. There could be a lot of anger, dissention, and disagreement both nationally and internationally.

The Full Moon occurs on April 6th at 160 Libra.

Hope you have a wonderful March and April!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

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 March-April, 2022

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

March brings the first day of Spring and more planets in air signs, but otherwise is rather quiet. April brings showers with more planets in water and the first eclipse of 2022.

March

On the 6th both Venus and Mars enter Aquarius, joining Mercury and Saturn. Aquarius is an air sign, full of revolutionary ideas and no patience for outmoded thinking or structures. It can be very stubborn, as its energy tends to sustain rather than initiate. These planets are in a challenging relationship (square) to the ruler of Aquarius (Uranus), who is in Taurus, an earth sign. The good news here is that some of Aquarius’s innovative ideas will hopefully be more earth-based and practical. 

Mercury moves into Pisces from March 9- 26, joining Jupiter and Neptune in this changeable water sign that rules faith, illusion, fog and redemption. Jupiter is the “ancient” ruler of Pisces and Neptune is the “modern” ruler of the sign, making them both very strong in this sign. Optimism (Jupiter) and dreams (Neptune) can join with concrete thinking (Mercury) while they are transiting this sign.

The first day of Spring occurs on March 20th at 11:33 a.m. EDT. This, of course, is when the Sun enters Aries and is the astrological new year. Mercury joins the Sun in Aries on the 27th. The New Moon occurs on March 2nd at 12:35 p.m. She’ll be at 120 Pisces. The Full Moon occurs on March 18th at 3:18 a.m. She’ll be at 270 Virgo.

April

Both Venus and Mars enter Pisces during April, joining Jupiter and Neptune. Venus enters Pisces on the 5th and Mars on the 14th. That’s four planets in water – and all in the same water sign. The good news is that Mercury enters the earth sign, Taurus, on the 10th and the Sun enters the same sign on the 19th joining Uranus in this most earthbound of all the signs. Earth gives water boundaries and water softens earth. Both are feminine in their elemental feel. Taurus is the most stubborn of all the signs, which may help to focus dreamy Pisces.

In addition to Mercury and Uranus in earth signs, Pluto begins his 5-month retrograde period on the 29th. He’ll be at 280 Capricorn, an earth sign that is related to structures, systems and the status quo. When one of the outer planets basically stops and then changes direction, it can be a significant shift in how their energy is experienced. Those with planets in late degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn may feel this change of direction more acutely. Pluto, the ruler of the Roman underground, rules deep-seated transformation and the destroyer of old forms. These forms may be personal or collective. Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2009, pointing out structures that no longer serve us.

I should also note that the US is experiencing its first Pluto return and when Pluto stations retrograde, he will be at the exact same degrees he is in the US (Sibly) chart. When a planet returns to its natal degrees all the issues that were present at the birth come to the fore again. This transit has been going on for a while and will continue until Uranus enters Aquarius for good in 2024. It has contributed to significant unrest and issues that were present at the nation’s founding that have not yet been resolved, such as race, isolationism, sharp polarization and radical attitudes, to name just a few. This change of direction may mark an intensification around these issues, and a time of introspection for each of us on our attitudes, thoughts, feelings around them, as well as a focus on personal transformation.

The first eclipse of 2022 is a partial solar eclipse that occurs on April 30th. Both Sun and Moon will be at 100 Taurus. It will not be visible in the US and will last about four hours. A solar eclipse generally indicates new beginnings and those with planets in Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio may feel the impact of this new beginning more strongly.

Happy Spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

AstroDoings November – December 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

November

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

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

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

December

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

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

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

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

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

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret