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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 January-February 2022

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

January

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

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

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 Uranus is the planet of rebellion, destroyer of outdated forms and structures, both personal and collectively.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

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

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

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

February

February is much quieter than January – phew!

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

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

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

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

Peace,

Margaret

Astro Doings September – October 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

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

September

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

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

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

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

October

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

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

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

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

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

AstroDoings March-April 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

March and April are pretty quiet with no planets changing direction in March and only one in April. Phew!

March

The big doing in March, of course, is the Vernal Equinox when the Sun enters Aries, and we begin Spring and a new astrological year. This takes place on March 20 at 5:37 a.m. EDT. For the rest of the month, the planets continue their celestial dance. Jupiter and Saturn are in Aquarius, squaring (challenging relationship) Uranus in Taurus. Uranus and Pluto are the only two planets in earth. The Sun (until it moves into Aries) is in Pisces with Neptune, which may feel like a softening of the energies. Pisces tends to soften, create fog but also dissolve boundaries. Mercury joins them on the 15th. Mars enters Gemini on the 3rd and will square the planets in Pisces, especially at near the end of the month. He will have an easy flow of energy with Saturn, since they are both in air signs. With Mars in chatty Gemini, there will be four planets in air, which means there will be a lot of “communication,” or talking, some of which may be important. In any event there will be a lot of talking! Later in the month with the Sun and Moon in Pisces, people may be more thin-skinned.

The New Moon occurs on the 13th at 5:21 a.m. She’ll be at 230 Pisces. The Full Moon occurs on the 28th at 1:22 a.m. She’ll be at 80 Libra.

April

As we begin April, only the Sun and Venus will be in Aries. As the month progresses there will be four planets in Taurus, the slowest, most stubborn earth sign of the zodiac: Sun, Mercury, Venus and Uranus. Taurus is very interested in and protective of Mother Earth, which might bode well for new green energy initiatives. But it does mean that we can all get stuck in our thinking and ways of doing things. Fortunately, all this earth will be softened by Neptune’s continued transit through Pisces and Mars’ entry into Cancer on the 14th. Jupiter and Saturn continue their transit through Aquarius, the sign of the innovator and revolutionary. The good thing with all the earth signs is that the ideas will have practical implications and a realistic chance of being implemented!

Pluto stations retrograde (i.e., starts moving from west to east in the heavens as we perceive it) on the 27th at 4:04 p.m. EDT at 260 Capricorn. When a planet is retrograde, we tend to experience the energies more inwardly and is a time to reflect and repose. Since Pluto is (and has been) transiting the house of values and resources in the US (Sibley) chart, its retrograde period may provide an opportunity for us to re-assess our values and who we want to use our resources and talents. And since it’s Pluto, this review will be a deep one and may cause some deep-seated reassessments. A retrograde period of any planet is a good time for any activity with “re” in front of it – re-assess, re-vise, re-view, re-pair, and re-pose. It’s a balance for the action when planets are in direct motion.

The New Moon occurs on April 11th at 10:31 p.m. EDT. She’ll be at 220 Aries. The Full Moon occurs on the 26th at 11:32 p.m. She’ll be at 70 Scorpio.

Happy Spring – and enjoy the flowers!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings January-February 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone,

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

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

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

January

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

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

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

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

 February

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

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

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

Here’s to a great New Year!

Peace and abundant blessings, Margaret

 

 

 

Astro Doings July – August 2020

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

July and August promise to be a little bit quieter than May and June – good thing!

July

Saturn

The great teacher of the zodiac retrogrades backs into Capricorn on July 2, joining his good buddies Jupiter and Pluto, all at late degrees Capricorn. This is a very powerful combination of planets all in the same sign (called a stellium), and this stellium is sitting on top of Pluto in the second house of values and resources in the US (Sibley) natal chart. For those with planets in late degrees of any of the cardinal signs (Capricorn, Cancer, Aries and Libra) this planetary line up could be challenging. Jupiter and Saturn together can feel like walking with your shoes tied together. Jupiter says, “go for it;” Saturn says, “better wait, better not.” And Pluto says, “what is your deepest fear about this or where is your power in this?”

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

Eclipses normally come in pairs, but every once in a while, we get a third eclipse, a bonus as it were. There is a penumbral lunar eclipse on July 4-5 beginning at 11:07 p.m. on the 4th and ending at 1:54 a.m. on the 5th. It will last just under 3 hours and will be visible in the US, as a darkening of the moon. The moon will be at 130 Capricorn, exactly opposite the natal Sun in the US chart. It will also be in a challenging relationship (square) to Saturn, which represents the executive. (I incorrectly stated that the solar eclipse in June was next to the sun in the US chart. It was next to Venus, the planet of love.) On a personal level, again it is the cardinal signs that will feel the impact of this eclipse, especially placements from 10-160 of Cancer, Capricorn, Libra and Aries. Lunar eclipses are generally about endings of eras and service. The impact of the eclipse will last about 3 months.

Mercury

Celebrate! Mercury goes direct at 4:27 a.m. on July 12! He’ll be at 50 Cancer. He’ll do one more retrograde period in 2020, starting in October.

The New Moon occurs on July 20th at 1:33 p.m. She’ll be at 260 Cancer. The Sun enters Leo at 4:37 a.m. on July 22nd.

August

Uranus

Uranus begins his “backward,” retrograde motion on the 15th. He’ll be at 100 Taurus. He’ll remain retrograde until January 2021. Taurus is the most earthbound of all the signs, stubborn, slow moving, and Uranus’s lightning bolt breakdown of old patterns has a hard time in this sign. However, the good news is that Uranus will help break down old patterns of thinking and it can also provide innovative ways of helping Mother Earth, since Taurus is the sign that is most closely connected to her. When a planet is retrograde it frequently feels like an inner preparatory period, and then action/change occurs when the planet goes direct. Those with planets in the fixed signs, (Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius) could be more impacted by this change of direction.

The month starts with a Full Moon on August 3 at 11:59 a.m. The Moon will be at 110 Aquarius. The New Moon occurs on August 18th at 10:12 p.m. She’ll be at 260 Cancer. And the Sun enters Virgo on August 22nd at 11:45 a.m.

Hope you have a wonderful rest of your summer! Stay safe and healthy!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings March – April 2020

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

I’m sure you’ve all noticed that the days are getting longer as we approach the Vernal Equinox in March. Yeah! In the next two months more planets will move into air signs, although there will still be a lot of earth. Overall, a fairly quiet two months.

March

While the elements of fire and air come into play in March, until the 21st there are still four planets in Capricorn: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto. The earth element will ground the energy and may also slow it down.

 March 9th: Yippee! Mercury goes direct on the 9th at 11:49 p.m. EDT. He’ll be at 280 Aquarius and will move into Pisces on the 17th. The Full Moon occurs one minute before Mercury stations direct. She’ll be at 80 Virgo.

March 19th:  The Sun enters Aries at 11:50 p.m. – the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring. Aries is a fire sign that is enthusiastic, likes to lead, but doesn’t always look before it leaps. It can warm, but it can also destroy. Like all cardinal signs, Aries initiates but doesn’t always follow through with what it starts. And like fire and air signs, it is male in its feel.

March 21st:  Saturn enters Aquarius. Before the discovery of Uranus in 1781, Saturn ruled Aquarius, the sign of the rebel, innovator, destroyer of outmoded ideas and systems. Saturn in this air sign may slow the rebel down a little bit or it may lend more practicality to Aquarius’ at times odd and/or innovative ideas. Saturn will retrograde into Capricorn in July.

March 24th:  The New Moon occurs at 5:28 a.m. at 40 Aries.

March 30th:  Mars moves into Aquarius and is conjunct (next to) Saturn. This may have the feel of walking with your shoes tied together. Mars, ruler of Aries, is the warrior planet that wants to charge forward and get moving. Saturn, the planet of restriction, lack and fear, tends to hold back. Mars says, “let’s do it!” Saturn says, “better not!”

April

In April one more planet will move into an air sign; Venus will be in Gemini. Air is the element of ideas, communication and mental activity. This is a change from what we’ve seen recently when there were very few planets in air signs. However, there will still be three planets in earth (Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto). By April 12th Neptune will be the only planet in a water sign — Pisces, her own sign, where she’s been for a long time.

April 3rd:  Venus moves into Gemini, which will be an easy flow of energy (trine) with Mars and Saturn in Aquarius. Gemini is curious about everything for a little bit and tends to bore very easily. It is, however, a sign of relationship and finds people endlessly although briefly fascinating in all their diversity.

April 7th:  The Full Moon occurs at 10: 35 p.m. She’ll be at 180 Libra, another air sign.

April 11th:  Mercury joins the Sun in Aries, bringing the possibility of enthusiastic but not always well thought out ideas. There may be a tendency to jump to conclusions or not think through all the ramifications of an idea. Aries also carries a warrior vibration, so warring ideas may be more evident.

April 19th:  Things could slow down as the Sun enters Taurus at 10:45 a.m. It will be next to (conjunct) Uranus, the planet of rebellion and the ruler of Aquarius. Taurus is the slowest moving sign of them all – fixed (stubborn) earth and Uranus, ruler of thunderbolts, is not well suited to Taurus’s slow-moving caution. Taurus can be very practical, thinks through ideas and doesn’t jump to conclusions (generally). However, once a Taurean has made up his/her mind, it is very difficult (mostly impossible) to get him/her to change it.

April 22nd:  The New Moon occurs at 3:36 p.m. She’ll be a 30 Taurus, the sign that is the most earthbound and concerned about our planet’s well-being. How perfect for Earth Day!

Happy Spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

 

 

Astro Doings November-December 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

It seems hard to believe that I’m writing the last Astro Doings for 2019, but here we go.

November

Two planets station direct in November: Mercury and Neptune. Mercury ends his last retrograde for this year on the 20th at 2:12 p.m. He’ll be at 110 Scorpio and will remain in Scorpio for the rest of the month and into early December. Communication and travel may become easier, although our thinking (Mercury) may be clouded (influenced) by our emotions and in some instances a quest for power (Scorpio). We may also think (Mercury) more deeply (Scorpio) and stay attached to our attitudes and opinions, since Scorpio is a fixed (stubborn) sign.

Neptune ends her five-month retrograde on the 27th at 7:33 a.m. She’ll be at 150 Pisces. Neptune has been in Pisces, the sign she rules, for a long time. Neptune rules fog and illusion and Pisces finds navigating this plane very challenging. However, Neptune also rules compassion and redemption, and Pisces seeks to merge with something greater than the personal self. Neptune squares (challenging relationship) the Ascendant of the US (Sibley) chart, at 120 Sagittarius. It could represent a softening of how we present ourselves to the world, or it could contribute to a lack of clarity on how we present to the world and who we believe ourselves to be – or both!

Saturn and Pluto continue to “run” together in Capricorn with an easy flow of energy from Uranus in Taurus. Mars will oppose Uranus when he enters Scorpio on the 19th. In general, an opposition calls for balance between the planets and the signs they’re in. When the Sun enters Sagittarius, a mutable, fire sign, on the 22nd he will join Jupiter in adding some fire to the mix of earth and water. Once again, we have no energy in air, the element of ideas.

The Full Moon occurs on the 12th at 190 Taurus and the New Moon occurs on the 16th at 40 Sagittarius.

December

The year ends as it began with a solar eclipse. This annular eclipse occurs on the 26th at 40 Capricorn, opposed Venus and Jupiter in the US Chart.  Those with planets 3 degrees on either side of the eclipse in Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra may feel the impact of this opportunity for new beginnings for service. The eclipse will last about five and half hours but will not be visible in the US.

Jupiter enters Capricorn on the second. By the end of the month we’ll have five planets in this earth sign, ruled by Saturn, which is focused on the status quo, systems and in its highest expression, spiritual growth.

The Winter Solstice occurs on the 21st when the Sun enters Capricorn at 11:20 p.m. From here the light begins to return slowly as the days get increasingly longer. The Full Moon occurs on the 12th at midnight. She’ll 190 Gemini. There is no New Moon in December, but there is a lunar eclipse to start the New Year, so stay tuned!

I hope you have a joyous holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July-August 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

July

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August

August 11: Both Jupiter and Uranus change directions!

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

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

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

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

Have a great summer!

Peace and abundant blessings!

Margaret

Astro Doings August 2018

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope you had a good July and have enjoyed seeing Mars at its closest in the evening sky. Things don’t slow down much in August with a solar eclipse and 3 planets changing direction! I’ll take them in order.

 August 7 at 12:49 p.m. EDT: Uranus stations retrograde at 20 Taurus.

Uranus, the planet of rebellion, innovation and destroyer of outmoded forms, will turn his energy inward during this retrograde period that will last for the rest of 2018. This can be a wonderful period to breakdown old, entrenched patterns of thinking and attitudes. Remember that Taurus is the slowest moving and most stubborn sign of the zodiac. These patterns will be well established, but if they are no longer serving you (or the world), Uranus’s inner focus can help break them down. Conversely, we may not see many new innovative ideas come forward during this period. Uranus will back into Aries for the final time in November, but more on that later.

August 11 at 5:58 a.m. EDT: Partial Solar Eclipse at 180 Leo

This is the last in this series of eclipses – and the last in 2018. This solar eclipse can signal new beginnings of creativity and self-expression and will last about four hours. Those with planets or other placements in their charts from 15-210 Leo, Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio, Aries or Sagittarius may feel the impact of this eclipse more than others. Leo is the sign of the Divine Child within each of us and this eclipse, along with the eclipses in July, may provide the impetus for us to express the positive attributes of Leo: loyalty, creativity, trust and joy.

August 19 at 0:25 a.m. EDT: Mercury stations direct at 110 Leo

YIPPEEE! Mercury ends his second retrograde for 2018. Coupled with the solar eclipse, we all may able to express that which we gestated and/or learned during Mercury’s retrograde more easily as he goes direct. Sometimes it can be difficult for us to use these periods of repose, facilitated by Mercury’s retrograde motion, but now we can move forward to express who we are in truth, having integrated what we gained over the last three weeks. Mercury has one more retrograde period in 2018 – in November/December.

August 27 at 10:05 a.m. EDT: Mars stations direct at 280 Capricorn

Mars ends his two-month retrograde period, which may be somewhat similar to Mercury’s change of direction. However, Mars is impulsive, head-strong and action-oriented. He is the god of war in Greek mythology, so there may be less thinking before we act, especially in the areas of institutions and systems, which Capricorn rules. However, Mars is very helpful in starting an exercise regime and getting us off the couch! Mars is currently transiting Pluto in the US (Sibley) chart in our second house of resources (both natural and other) and values. Hopefully this conjunction will provide the energy (Mars) to delve deeply (Pluto) into what we value, what the original values were when this country was founded and help create structures (Capricorn) to support those values.

Other doings of note:

Venus, the planet of love, beauty and peace, enters her own sign (Libra) on August 7th.  Libra is the sign of relationship, balance and an increased awareness of others. By the last third of August, she will be the only planet in an air sign – element of ideas and inspiration.

The Sun enters Virgo on August 23rd right after midnight EDT. Virgo is the sign of harvest, on every level, and integration. Virgo can get lost in the details of any situation and can also be a perfectionist, but the true meaning of the sign is to express ourselves fully and to be at one with our spirit.

The Full Moon occurs on August 26th at 7:56 a.m. EDT. She’ll be at 30 Pisces and in a wide free-flowing relationship with Neptune.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret