Uranus

Astro Doings January – February, 2023

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

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

January

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

Mars: January 12 at 80 Gemini

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

Mercury: January 18 at 80 Capricorn

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

Uranus: January 22 at 140 Taurus

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

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

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

February

February is pretty quiet.

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

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

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

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

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

Astro Doings July-August, 2022

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Hope your summer is going well so far. July and August are relatively quiet. Two planets are changing direction in the next two months, so by the end of August five planets will be retrograde, which may slow things down considerably. However, there is something else that may also keep things from moving forward easily.

Saturn/Uranus Square

Undoubtedly, the biggest challenge of this period and into the end of the year is the square between Saturn and Uranus. Saturn is in the fixed (stubborn) air sign, Aquarius and Uranus is in the fixed (very stubborn) earth sign, Taurus. A square occurs when planets are in signs of like quality, in this case fixed or stubborn. On a more positive note, fixed energy sustains and holds until ideas come into fruition. But earth and air, as elements, don’t have a lot in common. Any interaction between Saturn and Uranus is like walking with your shoes tied together. Uranus is the sign of innovation and breaking down of outdated thinking, ways of being, systems. Saturn doesn’t want to change anything – status quo is just great. He represents fear with his rings symbolizing restriction and lack. Saturn is the stronger here, because he is in the sign he used to rule (Aquarius) when astrologers worked only with the seven visible planets. The “modern” ruler of Aquarius is Uranus. A very interesting square. It will continue through December of this year.

Things heat up (ha, ha) when the Sun and Mercury enter Leo in July and Venus enters Leo in August (see below). This will make a fixed t-square in the heavens.

What does it mean? Well, it means that there won’t be a lot of movement and it will feel rather like push me/pull me, or two steps forward and two steps back. Those with planets in late degrees of the fixed signs (Leo, Aquarius, Scorpio and Taurus) may be more impacted by this very powerful and long-lasting square.

July

The Sun enters Leo on July 22nd at 4:07 p.m. EDT. Leo is a fire sign, the sign of the Divine Child within each of us, who can be inspired, petulant, attention-seeking, playful and creative. The Sun is joined by Mercury. Jupiter in Aries adds to the sometimes volatile but inspired nature of the fire element. Of course, one of the best ways to put fire out is earth. And Mars and Uranus in Taurus, coupled with Pluto in Capricorn, can provide that dampening. However, earth can provide a practical perspective to fire’s enthusiasm and occasional reckless abandon. Leo and Taurus are fixed (stubborn, sustaining) signs, as is Aquarius, where Saturn is. So we may not see a lot of movement during this time, but there will be ideas floating around. Whether they come to fruition remains to be seen.

Jupiter stations retrograde on July 28th at 4:37 p.m. He’ll be at 80 Aries, turning the warrior more inwardly. Aries can also represent our quest for High Self. Aries likes to surge ahead, so being slowed down by retrograde motion can be a challenge for this energy.

The Full Moon occurs on July 13th at 210 Capricorn. The New Moon occurs on the 28th at 50 Leo.

August

August continues the energy of July for the first two-thirds of the month. There are four planets in retrograde motion at the start of the month.

On the 22nd the Sun moves into Virgo at 11:16 p.m. EDT. Virgo is an earth sign and flows easily with Uranus in Taurus and Pluto and Capricorn. Virgo is the sign of the harvest, gathering in what we have sown, both personally and collectively. Virgo brings attention to detail, sometimes getting mired in them, and thoughtful consideration of all sides of an issue. She lacks the spur-of-the-moment enthusiasm of Leo and the other fire signs.

On the 24th Uranus, the planet of rebellion and the higher mind, goes retrograde at 180 Taurus. We now have 5 planets moving, by our perception, from west to east in the heavens. It’s a time of introspection, deep consideration, but not a lot of moving forward quickly.

The Full Moon occurs on the 11th at 9:36 p.m. at 190 Aquarius. The New Moon occurs on the 27th at 40 Virgo.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Peace,

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 July-August 2021

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

July

The first half of the month will be dominated by a fixed T-square with Mars and Venus opposing Saturn, which is squaring Uranus. (The Saturn/Uranus square, which began last month and will continue into 2022.) Mars and Venus are in Leo, Saturn is in Aquarius and Uranus is in Taurus. All four planets are in fixed signs. Fixed energy sustains, can be stubborn, and is feminine in nature. The interests of the individual, represented by Mars (planet of war) in Leo, must be balanced against Saturn in Aquarius (the sign of the collective). Saturn, of course, brings restrictions, delays, and fear. Leo is a fire sign and Aquarius is an air sign, so while they may not change their thinking on anything (sound familiar?), the elements work well together. Mars and Saturn must also deal with Venus in Leo, which represents a great need to be loved and to love, and is often the peacemaker. Enter Uranus, ruler of Aquarius, in Taurus, an earth sign and the most stubborn and slow moving of all the signs. Uranus breaks down old, outmoded ways of being and thinking and Taurus doesn’t want to change anything. One way of looking at this is to think of these four planets stuck in an elevator between floors. They each have different points of view (fire, earth and air) but have to figure out a way to work together so they can resolve the problem — not easy since they’re so stubborn. In mid-July Venus and Mars move out of orb (too far away) and the T-square returns to “just” being a square between Saturn and Uranus, which is rather like walking with your shoes tied together – Saturn representing the status quo and Uranus representing change and revolution. However, the Sun enters Leo on the 22nd and by the end of the month through mid-August will again create a fixed T-square with Saturn and Uranus.

The New Moon occurs on July 9th at 9:17. She’ll be at 180 Cancer. The Full Moon occurs on July 23 at 10 Aquarius. And Jupiter retrogrades back into Aquarius on the 28th.

August

The Saturn/Uranus square gets another “tweaking” shortly after the Sun moves out of orb for a T-square. On the 19th Uranus stations retrograde at 9:40 p.m. This means, that from our perspective, he moves from west to east, which is how Saturn is moving. So, maybe, at least they’re moving in the same direction now, instead of one planet going one way and the other going another way. Uranus will remain at 140 Taurus through September. Attention all who have planets or other points on your chart from 10-200 in fixed signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius, Leo) or in the other air signs (Libra, Gemini). We tend to feel the impact of retrograde planets more inwardly. Uranus rules the higher mind and Taurus doesn’t like change. Perhaps this is a time for inner reflection on patterns that no longer serve you and calling on your higher mind to find creative and innovative suggestions for change.

When the Sun enters Virgo on the 22nd it will join Mercury and Mars, creating a stellium in Virgo. A stellium is three or more planets in the same sign. Virgo is another earth sign and is concerned with harvest – both of plants and of self. Virgo analyzes and categorizes. It can get lost in details and tends to analysis paralysis. But its attention to detail can be most helpful in any kind of planning.

The New Moon occurs on August 8th at 160 Leo. The Full Moon is on August 22 at 290 Aquarius.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

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 January 2019

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year! It hardly seems possible that I’m writing the first blog for 2019! This year gets off to a pretty exciting start astrologically speaking, featuring two eclipses and Uranus changing directions. I’ll take them in order.

January 5: Partial Solar Eclipse at 8:28 p.m. ET

Solar eclipses occur at a new moon and can signal significant new beginnings. The Sun will be at 150 Capricorn, and the eclipse will last about 4 hours. However, we will not be able to see it here in the US. Saturn will be right next to (conjunct) the Sun when the eclipse occurs adding additional importance to developing new structures, both personal and global at this time, and overcoming our fears. Since Saturn is next to the eclipse point, the impact of this eclipse will be shorter than the “normal” formula of one month for every hour of the eclipse. Pluto, planet of deep-seated transformation, is also very close to this eclipse degree as well, adding additional power to this event, along with impetus to go deeply into any restructuring we might begin at this time. Those with planets within 4 degrees on either side of 150, especially in Cardinal signs (Capricorn, Libra, Aries and Cancer) may feel the impact of this eclipse more than others.

January 6: Uranus stations direct at 3:26 p.m. ET

The planet of the higher mind, rebellion and destroyer of old forms of thinking ends his retrograde (backwards, inner) motion right after the solar eclipse, adding additional energy to moving outwardly forward with the ideas, impulses and revelations gleaned during his retrograde motion. He will be at 280 Aries, the sign of the warrior (sometimes spiritual, sometimes not). Aries is the sign of the leader, me-first, and fearlessness, which sometimes looks like recklessness or impulsiveness. Again, the Cardinal signs may feel this change of direction more acutely, but for all of us the energy will be more attuned to sharing new visions, impulses and revelations, rather than pondering them. Uranus will continue to move “forward,” i.e. from east to west, until August.

 January 21: Total Lunar Eclipse at 0:16 a.m. ET

As you know, eclipses generally come in pairs, and lunar eclipses occur at a full moon. This one is not only a total eclipse, but it’s also a super moon. The eclipse will be visible in North America, (here’s hoping for clear skies!) and will last about 5 hours. The Moon will be at 00 Leo, since the Sun enters Aquarius the day before. While a lunar eclipse generally focuses on service and letting go of old patterns, this one is at the beginning of the sign, which generally indicates a new beginning. And it’s in a fixed sign, and we haven’t seen too much of this energetic quality — sustaining, abiding, stubborn, feminine in its feel. (Other fixed signs include Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio.) The Moon will have an ally in Mars, who is at early degrees Aries, and Venus who is at early degrees Sagittarius, both fire signs, so we have a very early flow of energy between these planets (a grand trine). The Moon and Venus are both considered “feminine” planets, while Mars is masculine. So, both types of energy are represented in this big triangle, fueled by an eclipse at the beginning of Leo. Leo is the sign of the divine child in each of us. Perhaps the best use of this eclipse is to release that which holds us back from expressing who we are in truth and moving forward in a new way.

 Elementally, the year starts out with mostly earth and water. The last third of the month includes some planets in the air element (Sun, Mercury). Air is the element of ideas, inspiration and communication, and has been by in large absent with none of the outer planets currently in signs of that element. This will be true in 2019 as well.

Hope you have a wonderful start to a great New Year!

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 January 2017

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year!

2017 starts pretty quietly, astrologically. The first week, Mercury will still be retrograde, a wonderful time to re-think, re-group, re-evaluate. He goes direct on January 8th at 4:43 a.m. He’ll be at 290 Sagittarius and will move into Capricorn on the 12th. Mercury in Capricorn processes information more slowly and thoroughly than he does in fiery Sagittarius. After Mercury goes direct, as we say, all planets will be going direct, i.e. moving from east to west through the heavens (by our perception from earth). It may feel more “full steam ahead” than we’ve felt before when the outer planets were retrograde.

The outer planets are all still in either cardinal (Aries, Libra, Capricorn) or mutable (Pisces, Sagittarius). Both types of energy are very restless, somewhat pushy, easily bored and seemingly without direction. We’ve had this energy lineup for a while now, which sometimes can feel frenetic and lacking in direction. There is very little sustaining (fixed) energy to slow things down a little bit. Throughout January, Uranus (planet of the higher mind, rebellion, lightening bolts) will be on the other side of the zodiac from Jupiter (planet of expansion, larger than life, not always realistic). Uranus is in Aries and Jupiter is in Libra, calling us to balance our own interests and growth (Aries) with others (Libra). Libra is the sign of balance (they don’t have it, but they keep looking for it!) and of the “other.” Of course, the goal is to recognize that we are all one. Both Uranus and Jupiter are squaring (growth opportunity, incompatible elements) Pluto in Capricorn, which is an earth sign. It seems that Pluto has been in Capricorn forever, challenging all of our systems within ourselves and in our societies. So a further adjustment is possible between our optimism (Jupiter) and our higher mind (Uranus). Those with planets from 15 to 250 Aries, Libra, Capricorn and/or Cancer, may be more impacted by this planetary combination, called a t-square.

That’s really it for January. The Full Moon occurs on January 12th at 220 Cancer and the New Moon occurs on January 27th at 80 Aquarius. The Sun enters the sign of the Water Bearer (Aquarius) on January 19th at 4:24 p.m., adding a little stabilizing and/or stubborn (fixed) energy to the mix.

I wish you all peace and abundant blessings in this New Year!

Margaret

Astro Doings April 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Hi Everyone

What strikes me about the planetary doings in April is that by the end of the month there will be five planets in retrograde motion: Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto. Three of them (Mercury, Mars and Pluto) change direction during the month. While we generally experience the energies of planets in retrograde motion more inwardly and this can be true if we choose to use them this way, we may also experience this as feeling somewhat stuck or without a lot of forward motion, both personally and globally. And three of them (Sun, Mercury and Venus) will be in Taurus, the slowest moving sign of the zodiac, at the end of the month – just for emphasis!

We begin the month with a powerful New Moon at 180 Aries on April 7th at 7:24 a.m. EDT. New moons are always about new beginnings and Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, reiterating the “new beginning” theme. Uranus, planet of higher level thinking, rebellion and revolution, is conjunct (next to) this New Moon, adding the potential for innovative new ways of doing things to the Sun/Moon “conversation” about needing to start anew. It is also being squared by powerful Pluto in Capricorn, reminding us that this “new beginning” needs to focus on structures that no longer work, on planning, on discipline and on dedication.

Mars is currently in Sagittarius with Saturn. Mars is the warrior; Saturn is the disciplinarian/father and both planets are male in their energetic feel. Sagittarius is the sign of the pathfinder, so this can be a time to find our inner path and have the courage (Mars) and discipline/dedication (Saturn) to follow it. Mars stations retrograde on April 17 at 8:14 a.m. and will remain in retrograde motion until the end of June.

And the next day, April 18, Pluto stations retrograde at 3:23 a.m. at 170 Capricorn. Here we have another opportunity to look at personal structures and attitudes that no longer serve us. I believe that we will also continue to see societal structures that no longer work be part of the evening news.

And last, but certainly not least, Mercury goes retrograde on April 28th at 1:20 p.m. He’ll be at 230 Taurus. He’ll go direct three weeks later, May 23rd.

A rather introspective month, I think, considering it’s spring and a time when things begin to blossom and flower. It may be that this time is given us to slow our frenetic pace down, and focus on what is truly important to us, to truly fulfill all our potential for our highest and best.

Have a wonderful April!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret

 

 

Astro Doings January 2016

Margaret Lassiter Leave a comment

Happy New Year, Everyone!

This year will begin on a very introspective note energetically. As you know, January is named for the Roman god, Janus, who had two heads – one looking forward to the new and one looking back to the old. This is very appropriate for the planetary doings this month.

We begin with everyone’s favorite retrograde! Mercury will be retrograde in Capricorn from January 5th through the 25th. He joins the Sun and Pluto in Capricorn. As a matter of fact on January 6th the Sun and Pluto will be right next to each other (conjunct) in the heavens. And the New Moon (new beginnings) occurs on the 9th at 190 Capricorn.

If that isn’t enough for you, Jupiter, planet of expansion, good fortune and luck, goes retrograde on the 7th. He’ll be at 230 Virgo, another earth sign and an easy flow with the Sun, Pluto and Mercury. His retrograde ends in May.

Retrogrades are wonderful times to re-flect, re-group, re-think, re-organize, and re-treat. As the god Janus invites us to do to – look back on what has gone well in the past and look forward to changes you want to make. Pluto is the planet of transformation, never an easy process, because we all love to hang on to our illusions and Pluto goes deep. No hiding! So we have a whole month for this process! Neat, eh?

Like all signs, the energy of Capricorn can be used on different levels. Capricorn brings with it the Saturnian concepts of discipline, determination, and sure-footed forward motion. Capricorn folks always have a plan – one year, five year, and beyond. Nothing is left to chance. These wonderful attributes can be applied on one level to goals on the material plane, such as business, career, athletics, etc. On a higher level, Capricorn is the sign of the spiritual initiate, pictured as a goat climbing sure-footedly up the mountain of spiritual understanding. Its symbol (glyph) is a combination of the symbol for Aries (the head) and Leo (the heart). When these two parts of us work in harmony, great growth can be achieved.

I believe this powerful combination of Pluto (transformation), Mercury retrograde (inner thought processes) and the Sun (our essence) is an invitation from the stars to look at our spiritual growth and service, and Capricorn provides wonderful, practical, goal-setting energy. I think we all hve planets either in cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn) and/or planets in earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) that will aid us in tapping into this energetic line up this month to re-dedicate ourselves to service, in whatever form that may take for us, and to brighten the light that we shine in our world.

Adding to the mix is Jupiter in Virgo, a sign that is frequently misunderstood. It is most often viewed as being perfectionist, lost in the details, bean counters, and/or a health nut. In actuality Virgo is the sign of the harvest of self, an individual who moves through his/her world with assurance and an inner sense of self. Maya Angelou described Virgo beautifully when she wrote: “A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself.” Add this developing sense of who we are to how we want to serve our world, and I think we can bring a lot of light wherever we are. This is a month of determining inwardly how we want to go about this and identifying/dissolving blocks to our goals. Jupiter retrograde may bring news stories about business issues, the stock market not doing well, but it is in truth the planet of faith and higher truth. Where is our faith?

And we have some fire to help inspire us along the way. Venus and Saturn are both in Sagittarius (Jupiter’s sign) and Uranus is in Aries (Mars’s sign). When earth and fire work together, we have inspiration (fire) and practicality (earth) in our toolbox to realize our dreams.

January also brings with it some sustaining energy, which has been absent recently. We astrologers call it “fixed” energy and Mars, the warrior, enters Scorpio on January 3rd. Scorpio is another generally misunderstood sign. It is water, which will soften all the earthy Capricorn and Virgo energy. It is an easy flow of energy with Neptune in Pisces. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto and can provide insight into the depths of us. Scorpio goes where we perhaps would rather not look – but need to. It is a sign of great healing and insight, as we bring the dark parts of ourselves to the light. And Mars provides energy and courage for this task.

There will be more sustaining energy when the Sun enters Aquarius on January 20th. Aquarius is an air sign and not necessarily compatible with watery Scorpio. Aquarius is a visionary, but can get stuck in the ruts of his/her own thinking. However, it can provide innovative ideas on how we want to change and new areas of service that we’d like to explore. Air is mental energy and water taps the feeling, psychic energy – a restatement of the symbol for Capricorn when used it its highest expression.

I wish you a most joyous and reflective January.

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret