Taurus

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

Astro Doings July 2018

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Fasten your seat belts! July promises a lot of celestial activity including two eclipses and planets changing direction.  I’ll take them in order.

July 10: Jupiter goes direct at 1:04 p.m. EDT at 130 Scorpio

Jupiter, the planet of expansion (great, unless it’s my waistline!), faith, good fortune with a tendency to exaggerate, ends his retrograde motion and starts moving direct (from east to west, as we see it). He will start moving very slowly at first and will remain at 130 Scorpio for the rest of the month. He will square Mars in Aquarius, although the square will be out of orb by the end of the month. Squares are growth opportunities when planets are in signs of the same quality – in this case fixed. Aquarius is air and Scorpio is water, not the happiest combination. Fixed energy sustains, holds and/or gets stuck! Those with planets at from 8 – 180 in any of the fixed signs (Leo and Taurus are the other two) may feel this change of direction more acutely.

July 12: Partial Solar Eclipse at 200 Cancer at 10:48 p.m. EDT

This is the first in a series of eclipses that will occur in July and August. It will not be visible in the US, and because it’s a partial eclipse with the Moon only covering part of the Sun, it will only last about 3 hours. A solar eclipse is a powerful New Moon and it can signal a new beginning depending on how it impacts your chart. Those with planets from 17-230 Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and/or Libra may feel the impact of this eclipse more than others. I think of it as an energetic funnel that remains in place for one month for every hour of the eclipse. As planets transit (i.e. go over 200 Cancer) they pour their specific type of energy into the funnel, which then impacts other planets in your chart connected to that degree and sign. Think of it as a tuning fork that makes the planet vibrate. This eclipse is very close to the Sun and Mercury in the natal US chart (Sibly). It will be interesting to see how this eclipse impacts our thinking (Mercury) and how we express ourselves (Sun) to ourselves and to the world.

July 22: Sun enters Leo at 5:01 p.m. EDT

Leo is a fixed sign in the fire element. He will create a Fixed Grand Cross with Uranus in Taurus, Jupiter in Scorpio and Mars in Aquarius. It looks like a big X with the Sun and Jupiter on opposite ends of one line and Uranus and Mars opposite each other on the other line. This may feel like we’re all stuck in a rut, because fixed energy can be very stubborn, and a Fixed Grand Cross is a closed figure, making it more challenging for the energy of each planet to express itself. Mars, the planet of initiative, the warrior and energy in general is not happy in a fixed sign – too slow for him. And Uranus, the planet of rebellion, is having a very hard time in the slowest moving sign of the zodiac – Taurus. Those with planets in early to mid-degrees of any of the fixed signs may feel somewhat stalled. On the other hand, it provides sustaining energy for any project you might undertake.

July 26: Mercury stations retrograde at 230 Leo at 1:03 a.m. EDT

Everyone’s favorite retrograde – or at least the most talked about! Mercury begins his second retrograde of 2018 during the very active last week of July, and it will last for about three weeks. Mercury retrogrades are great times to re-group and re-think and re-pose, and it goes along nicely with the Fixed Grand Cross unless you’re in a hurry! We tend not to value periods of repose and reflection, but taking time to pull back, slow down and reflect is a very important activity. Of course, Mercury retrograde does have the reputation for snafus, but these also make us slow down and reconsider.

July 27: Total Lunar Eclipse at 40 Aquarius at 4:20 p.m. EDT

Eclipses come in pairs generally about two weeks apart. (Actually, there is a third solar eclipse this time, which will occur on August 11.) This eclipse will not be visible in the US either and will last about six hours. Lunar eclipses occur at a full moon and generally indicate at time to let go of old patterns and this one will have a particular focus on service. Energetically it operates the same way a solar eclipse does. Those with planets from 1-70 of fixed signs may feel this eclipse’s impact more strongly. The Leo-Aquarius axis deals with balancing the needs of the individual (Leo) and the needs of the group (Aquarius), and this eclipse will also be a part of the Fixed Grand Cross until she moves into late degrees Aquarius early on the 29th.

July has four planets in earth signs: Venus (Virgo), Saturn and Pluto (Capricorn) and Uranus in Taurus. The earth element is generally grounded, detail oriented, and somewhat conservative. There is only one planet in air, the element of ideas: Mars in Aquarius. Jupiter and Neptune are in an easy-flowing relationship in water, the element of emotions and psychic energy. We could either expand (Jupiter) our dreams or be in a bigger fog (Neptune)!

Have a great July!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

 

Astro Doings May 2018

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

We tend to pay more attention when planets change direction in their celestial dance – direct or retrograde, especially when Mercury is involved! This May all the planets continue in the same direction they were in at the end of April. So, in that sense, it’s a pretty quiet month. What we sometimes don’t pay attention to is when planets change dance partners, aka signs. And in May three of them do just that, not including the Sun who changes partners every month or the Moon or Mercury who change them all the time, because they move so quickly through the heavens.

On May 15th Uranus, planet of rebellion, flashes of intuition, inspiration and light, and of the Higher Mind moves into Taurus at 11:23 am EDT. This is a fairly big deal, since he will be in Taurus until July 2025 when he enters Gemini. Of all the signs in the zodiac, Uranus finds Taurus one of the most challenging. Think about driving behind someone going 15 mph on the highway and you’ll get a sense of this. Uranus rules lightning bolts, flashes of insight, destruction of outmoded form. Taurus is the most stubborn sign of the zodiac, rules form, moves glacially (by Uranus’s perspective), and stops all the time to smell the flowers, eat chocolate and just sit. To Taurus, Uranus feels like the proverbial bee that keeps stinging him in the backside to get him to change or that car behind you that keeps flashing its headlights to get you to move over or go faster. So, since we can’t get Taurus to move over, how can we use this energy to our advantage? First, we can realize that Taurus is an earth sign, so all these brilliant flashes of inspiration will need to have a practical application. In addition, unlike Aries which starts but doesn’t finish, Taurus is a fixed sign, which means it holds the energy until the idea/concept/inspiration is brought into form. (It can also mean stubborn, stuck, and unwilling to change.)  There haven’t been many planets in fixed signs recently, which I believe has contributed to the rather frenetic energy across the globe. Those of us with planets in early degrees of Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius may feel this entry of Uranus into Taurus more profoundly. And remember, Taurus has his good buds, Saturn and Pluto, in earthy Capricorn to help him deal with this rambunctious Uranus and to keep his flashes of insight on the practical side.

If that isn’t enough fixed energy, Mars enters Aquarius on May 16. This isn’t as challenging a relationship as Uranus in Taurus, but Aquarius, an air sign, can be quite pig-headed and unwilling to change its mind once it makes a decision about something. It also introduces the air element – the element of ideas — into the celestial mix. We haven’t had a lot of air energy recently, so not a lot of new ideas. Mars here can make us more impatient with those who don’t see our point of view or agree with us. Don’t forget, Uranus rules Aquarius, and Uranus just left the sign that Mars rules, Aries, so there is an interesting connection there. Aquarius is the sign of the visionary, primarily concerned with making things better for the group (world), and Mars (god of war) will provide energy and impetus to make change. However, Aquarius can be quite impatient with the status quo and frequently intolerant of those who don’t see the need for change as s/he does. This could mean new ways of using our Mars energy (the warrior) to make change for the benefit of all (Aquarius). Those with planets in fixed signs are going to get a double whammy the second full week of May.

And last, but certainly not least, Venus enters Cancer on May 19 at 9:11 am EDT. Cancer is a water sign, the Moon’s favorite sign. What’s interesting about this is that Venus creates a big triangle (trine) in water with Jupiter in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces that lasts until mid-June. When planets are in the same element they can communicate with each other easily and understand each other better. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus, both dealing with love and compassion. Venus’s idea of love is more personal – I love you because you love me. Neptune, like the sea, is more vast and universal – I love you because it is in the nature of love to love. Jupiter in Scorpio could provide depth of insight. The water element can make us very emotional and our psychic sense more acute. It also can increase empathy and deep understanding of one another. Emotions could be running very high in the US, which is a Cancer sun-sign country, as is our good neighbor to the north, Canada.

Oh, yeah, the Sun moves into Gemini on May 20 at 10:15 pm EDT. The sign of the twins, Gemini is interested in everything for about five minutes and then wants to move on to something else. An air sign, Gemini is most comfortable in the realm of ideas and is frequently referred to as “the jack of all trades, master of none.”

The New Moon occurs on May 15 at 7:48 am at 240 Taurus and the Full Moon occurs on May 29th at 10:19 am at 80 Sagittarius.

Enjoy the planets dancing!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

 

 

Astro Doings April 2018

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Last month 2 planets changed direction. This month it’s three and then things settle for May.

I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that Mercury goes direct on the 15th at 5:21 a.m. EDT. He’ll be at 40 Aries. It’s same day as the New Moon, which will occur that evening at 260 Aries. So communication, travel and hopefully thinking will move more smoothly, and we will act on the insights gained during his retrograde period, which was a time to re-group, re-flect, and re-treat.

Saturn and Pluto both begin their retrograde motion within a few days of each other, so the week of April 16 could be a little unsettled. Saturn begins his 5-month retrograde motion on the 17th at 9:47 p.m. EDT. He’ll be at 90 Capricorn. Also in Capricorn (has been there for a long time!) is Pluto who will station retrograde on the 22nd at 11:23 a.m. He’ll be at 210 Capricorn.  Both planets will end their retrograde motion in September. Those with planets in cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer, Capricorn) may feel the impact of this shift in direction more acutely. Capricorn generally deals with the status quo, institutions and systems, and Saturn is very strong in his own sign. There could be greater entrenchment and unwillingness (fear) to change as these two powerful planets change the direction of their dance in the heavens. On a more positive note, Capricorn is the sign of the spiritual initiate. Saturn points out those areas that need to be brought to the light to be healed and Pluto shines the light of truth into the dark places in our soul that we may not want to look at. Jupiter is retrograde in Scorpio, which Pluto rules, providing opportunities for deep internal growth – wonderful and challenging all at the same time! And Uranus, the planet of rebellion and higher-level insight, continues his transit of Aries, god of war, but on a personal level can assist in our quests to know High Self.

To add to the earth element this month, the Sun goes into slow-moving Taurus on the 19th at 11:13 p.m. EDT. Taurus’ message is to slow down, enjoy the flowers, and be aware of the processes of the natural world and its beauty. While Taurus is the most earthbound of the signs, it is also deeply connected to Mother Earth, with great respect for her and her cycles. We should take note. . .

Again this month there are no planets in air, until the 25th when Venus goes into Gemini. This is not a time for mental activity, but for repose and deep reflection – a lot of earth and two planets in water (Jupiter and Neptune).

Enjoy the spring!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings May 2017

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

May promises to be rather quiet, especially compared to April.

Mercury goes direct on May 3rd at 12:33 p.m. He’ll be at 240 Aries at the time. He’ll enter slow-moving Taurus on May 16th, so our thinking may become more deliberate, less impulsive than it was in April.

The Full Moon occurs on May 10th at 200 Scorpio and the New Moon is on May 25th at 40 Gemini. The Sun enters Gemini on May 20th at 4:31 p.m. Gemini is the sign of the twins – and there are definitely two sides to the sign. It’s an air sign that tends to flit from one thing to another and is easily bored. Gemini wants to know a little bit about everything and is generally very restless.

As we go through May, the only planet in water is Neptune. So sensitivity may be a bit lacking. The planets in fire (Venus, Saturn, Uranus) will do very well with those in air (Sun, Mars, Jupiter), but they may have trouble settling down. This fire/air combination frequently looks like the Peter Pan complex – never wanting to grow up or bring their ideas to fruition because everything looks better in their heads. The planets in earth signs (Mercury, Pluto) may slow us down a little bit, but don’t work well with either fire (great way to put it out) or air. However, once these elements agree to work with each other, we could have the practicality of earth applied to the inspiration of fire and the ideas of air. Up to us on how we choose to use these energies both individually and collectively!

Have a great May!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings November 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

We have a little bit more fixed (sustaining, feminine, stubborn) energy in November with the Sun in Scorpio until the 21st and Mars moving into Aquarius on the 9th. Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto are all in cardinal signs (Libra, Aries and Capricorn respectively), as they have been for a while. Jupiter and Uranus oppose each other and Pluto squares both of them. Lots of opportunity for growth and change come from this energetic line-up.

Neptune is still hanging out at 90 Pisces, the sign she rules. She will basically stop moving on the 18th and change directions at 11:39 p.m. on the 19th. This may impact those with any planet or sensitive point, like the Ascendent, at 90, plus or minus 5 degrees, of Pisces, Sagittarius, Gemini or Virgo (all mutable signs). Pisces is a water sign, so issues around water may come into focus.

The Full Moon on November 14th at 8:52 a.m. will be at 220 Taurus. This will be the last Super Moon and she will be the closest she’s been to earth since 1948. So hope the night is clear so we can see her! Taurus is a fixed sign, so those with planets close to those degrees in Scorpio, Aquarius or Leo may be a bit more moody or loony that day!

The Sun moves into Sagittarius on the 21st at 4:23 p.m. It will be an easy flow of energy with Uranus (trine) and square (growth opportunity) Neptune. The Sun is joined by Saturn. Sagittarius is the Pathfinder, the explorer and the optimist, in its best expression. It is also the sign of faith.

Hope you have a lovely November and a happy Thanksgiving.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings May 2014

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Phew!  Well, April was certainly intense!  Many people whom I’ve talked to and done readings for this spring have not felt the rush of energy that generally comes in the spring – myself included.  I would describe everything as feeling very inward still. I believe it is due to the Cardinal Grand Cross in April, which will continue through May, and the fact that Mars has been retrograde since March 1.  When a planet’s motion is retrograde, we tend to experience its energy more inwardly.  Mars is the planet of getting things moving, war, initiating new projects; he rules Aries, a fire sign. So if you’ve been feeling like your get-up-and-go got up and went, you’re not alone. I believe this will ease a little bit towards when Mars goes direct.  (See below.)

May promises to be a little quieter in that there are no eclipses.  However the Cardinal Grand Cross will still be there:  Pluto in Capricorn square Uranus in Aries (with Venus most of the month), square Mars in Libra, opposed Jupiter in Cancer.  (See April Astro Doings for a full description of this intense configuration.)  Again those with planets in middle degrees (8-20) of cardinal signs may feel this Grand Cross more intensely than others. Continue reading →