Monthly Archives: September 2008

Saturday Extra: Mercury Retrograde

Mercury, by Simeon SolomonWith all the drama going on this week, our attention has been diverted from the effects of Mercury’s imminent retrograde.

The shadow period began on September 2, although we began experiencing the effects even sooner due to Mars passing through Mercury’s retrograde path. Mars acts as a trigger, and this can happen before an aspect occurs as well as afterward. I’m already seeing communications mix-ups, especially in relationships. As usual, the ferry schedules are totally mixed up, and I’m also seeing some breakdowns (Mars rules moving parts in a machine).

All of the usual warnings will apply to this Mercury retrograde, such as backing up your computer files, double-checking reservations, and making sure that you are clear in all of your communications. Those are all things you can start doing now.

Likewise, if someone isn’t clear with you, don’t jump to conclusions. If there are miscommunications, they may not be anyone’s fault. Forgive and forget, especially with Mercury in Libra.

Now, there will be a couple of interesting facets to this Mercury retrograde that will bear watching. First, Venus and Mars just conjoined on September 11, with Mercury in close conjunction (Mercury and Venus are exactly conjunct tomorrow, Sunday). Whatever has been going on for you in the past couple of days, especially regarding your relationships, may come up for revisiting and review over the next month or so. My guess is that you’ll find resolution, but the interim period could be frustrating.

Second, Mercury will be retrograde at the New Moon in Libra on September 29, so any movement associated with that New Moon likely will be delayed until Mercury returns direct on October 15, which is the day after the Full Moon in Aries. Patience will be required.

This is all information to keep in the back of your mind as you sail this week’s stormy seas.

Love and courage to all,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Mercury, by Simeon Solomon, a Libra, born October 8, 1840.

Ask Real Astrologers: Saturn Return Complicated by Uranus

This week’s question comes from Louise in Denver:

Hi Pat & Neith, My Saturn return will be exact just about the time Uranus opposes Saturn and I’m wondering how that will affect it? It looks pretty scary from here. Thanks for your help.

Libra ponders . . .Neith’s response:

Louise, for you and many others with their natal Saturn at 18° Virgo, this will be the first of three passes of Saturn over it. But admittedly it will be a significant first pass with Uranus opposing your natal Saturn at the same time.

There are other planets offering support and means to work with the impact of this transit. At the time the Saturn-Uranus opposition is exact, Jupiter in Capricorn will still be trine to Saturn in Virgo and sextile Uranus in Pisces steadying the boat as it were. The Sun will be in Scorpio at the time and Mars in Scorpio will be trine Uranus and sextile Saturn suggesting taking deliberate action will benefit you.

However, if you have any planets around 18 degrees in Gemini or Sagittarius, the T-square with Venus in Sagittarius to the Saturn-Uranus opposition could force a decision involving values or a love interest.

All in all, this first pass of your Saturn return is bound to be memorable, but if you stay centered and follow Saturn’s rules by upholding your responsibilities, you will be fine.

Good fortune and stay strong.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s answer:

Louise, this is an excellent question. In addition to Neith’s insightful comments, here is what I see:

Complicating aspects, especially those involving other outer planets, certainly can color a Saturn return. I experienced something similar with my Saturn half-return in 2001, when Saturn in Gemini was opposite Pluto, which at the time was passing over my natal Saturn. It is not too melodramatic to say that I nearly died.

That, of course, was the nature of Pluto. Uranus is a much different energy. What I see as a possible complication is that you will be struggling to break out of limiting behaviors or a burden that has you boxed in. Yes, we have responsibilities and obligations, and Saturn in Virgo is especially mindful of its duties to others. However, you also have a duty to yourself, to fulfill your unique life purpose and to be your most authentic self. That is what Uranus wants you to do, so if you are in a relationship or situation that is crushing you, you will find a way to break out of it.

Unfortunately, for most of us, Uranus is a disruptive energy, so the way you break out may cause temporary chaos in your life until the dust settles and you adapt to your new environment. The good news is that Pisces and Virgo are mutable signs and very comfortable with rapid change.

Liberation is exciting! Wishing you much courage, and stay in touch.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. Reminder: Please remember to tell us where you’re located!

Todd and Sarah Palin, Latest Power Couple

Todd and Sarah PalinIf there ever was a couple whose synastry was defined by the inconjunct (150°) aspect, this is it. These are two strong-minded individuals, he with the Sun, Moon, Pluto, and Uranus in Virgo, and she with the Sun, Mars, and Saturn tightly conjunct in Aquarius.

In this instance where we have no good birth times to work with, we can only speculate about their chart wheels and the possibility that Sarah’s Moon may be in late Capricorn rather than early Aquarius. A late Capricorn Moon would be much happier with Todd’s Virgo Moon and Venus-Mars in Cancer, but we may never know. And it’s doubtful we will ever have a good birth time for Todd. He was born in Dillingham, Alaska, in 1964, the year a 9.2 earthquake devastated the Anchorage area.

Since both of them likely have their Sun, Moon, and Mercury in the same sign, it is the essential differences between Aquarius and Virgo that are highlighted. Aquarius is fixed air and is noted for being quite stubborn about their quirks, while Virgo is mutable earth, a more subtle, service-oriented sign. The key to understanding how these very different people have sustained a marriage lasting 20 years with five children may be in the known conjunctions in their synastry chart.

The nitty-gritty of any compatibility chart comparison is to be found in conjunctions, a major indication of shared experience. Todd’s Virgo stellium is conjunct Sarah’s Uranus and Pluto. Her Sun, Mars, and Saturn in Aquarius form an out-of-sign conjunction with his Saturn in Pisces. Over the course of the next few weeks, Saturn in Virgo will continue transiting their shared planets in Virgo, an indication of the stress of being in the public eye.

Because of the role Neptune has in both their individual charts and in their synastry, their Neptune in Scorpio conjunction moves beyond a generational aspect in importance. Neptune squares Sarah’s Sun and is sextile Todd’s Sun. This means they have a Sun-Neptune intra-aspect. An intra-aspect in synastry is one with the same planets from both charts in aspect by degree, e.g., her Sun is square his Neptune and her Neptune is sextile his Sun. Their shared religious beliefs are one of the important factors in their marriage. This intra-aspect can create a sympathetic bond and soften the edges of the harsher differences.

Another intra-aspect with Neptune involves Mars. Since Todd has a Venus-Mars conjunction in Cancer, and Sarah’s Mars is in Aquarius and her Venus is in Aries, they can use a little help from Neptune’s rose-colored glasses to keep the romance alive.  Cancer and Aquarius are also inconjunct and have about as much in common as apples and oranges. Neptune may create illusions, but also may represent strong religious beliefs that have kept them from straying.

Of course, one can never underestimate Saturn’s role in supporting a lasting relationship.  She has a natal Sun-Saturn conjunction, and he has a Mercury-Saturn opposition and his Saturn conjoins her Aquarius stellium. They have a Mars-Saturn intra-aspect, underlining their need to honor their vows and behave according to the “rules.”

The transpersonal planets (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) have a fascinating role in this chart comparison. In Sarah’s chart, Uranus and Pluto do not form aspects to her personal planets, but Todd’s Sun is conjunct both of those planets as well as being square to Neptune. As often happens, when we have unaspected transpersonal planets, we meet those archetypes in the form of another person. It is very possible Todd has a powerful impact on Sarah, although neither may be consciously aware of it. He is her means to tap into the darker side of her nature.

The picture of this relationship I see emerging is of Saturn and Neptune playing key roles – Neptune in the form of their common faith, and Saturn with his insistence on following the rules and respecting legalized bonds. Otherwise, these two would have gone their separate ways long ago, because practical earthy Virgo has little patience with airy Aquarius visions for humanity. It is easy to see Todd as the ultimate self-sufficient Alaskan happily spending hours in the solitude of the back country, a natural for Virgo. And it is also easy to understand Aquarius Sarah wanting to be deeply involved in her community, working with like-minded people for what she sees as the greater good.

Libra, an Air signposted by Neith . . .

Verified Birth Data:  Todd Palin   6 Sept 1964, Dillingham, AK; Sarah Palin 11 Feb 1964, Sandpoint, ID

Full Moon in Pisces, September 15, 2008

Pisces Moon risingThe Full Moon next Monday promises to be a real zinger at 22°54′ Pisces, with Uranus conjoining it and Pluto in Sagittarius forming a T-square. It’s “batten down the hatches” time!

By the time the Moon is full, both Jupiter and Pluto will have returned direct and started to pick up speed. Sagittarius and Scorpio folk in particular may be getting hints that matters held in stasis over the past few months are beginning to see movement, as Jupiter and Pluto rule those signs, respectively. Adding to the movement is the continuing trine from Saturn in Virgo, so look where Jupiter is currently falling in your chart to see what’s breaking loose for you. It’s entirely possible that things will fall into place smoothly and easily under the influence of the trine. Let’s hope so, anyway.

Pluto is another matter. The T-square with the Sun, Moon, and Uranus is more likely to create some dramatic effects, because any time Uranus is on the playing field, he electrifies events. Pluto asks us to let go of what is dead or dying in our lives, and if we have not been paying attention up to this point, we will have far less choice in the matter now. For some reason, the thought popping into my mind about this pattern has to do with accepting loss. In doing so, we ultimately gain, but there will be a price (mostly because human beings tend to undervalue freely given gifts). If we allow ourselves to let go gracefully in an open-handed manner and forgive ourselves for holding on so tightly in the first place, we will navigate through this fine.

The Moon-Uranus conjunction in Pisces is closely semi-sextile Neptune in Aquarius, emphasizing the mutual reception between Uranus and Neptune. The Moon provides access to our emotions and unconscious motivations, and at this time we may be better able to tap into the archetypes represented by Uranus and Neptune. Service to others with compassion and appreciation for what makes each of us unique is a good starting point. Taking time to consider how we may be of service is never a waste of time.

On a more mundane level, we have a nice tight stellium in Libra of Venus, Mercury, and Mars. It sure doesn’t hurt to have sympathetic Neptune, the higher octave expression of Venus, trine to this stellium. This is the perfect time to find the right words to heal the atmosphere of divisiveness possibly brought about by Mars in Libra’s tendency to use words like weapons and take the other side of a disagreement just because it can. Mars is not comfortable in Libra, the sign of his detriment. But don’t worry, because on October 4, he will enter Scorpio, the sign he co-rules with Pluto.

For this Full Moon, the Sabian Symbol for 23 Pisces is, A materializing medium giving a séance, with a keyword SUBSTANTIATION. More than anything, this connects with the mutable T -square, acknowledging the need to surrender to our higher purpose in order to become “unstuck” on our path to becoming our most authentic self. In order to manifest something new in one’s life, there has to be space available, and it’s far better to do this consciously and with awareness.

The Sabian Symbol for the Sun is 23 Virgo is, A lion tamer displays his skill and character, with keywords RESOLUTENESS and PATIENCE. This is perfect fit with the current trine between Saturn in Virgo and Jupiter in Capricorn, where earth sign persistence and willingness to tame one’s vital energies to achieve a goal is rewarded. We also are reminded to have faith and courage in our abilities.

We are standing on the threshold of a period of profound change brought about by Saturn opposing Uranus, and this Full Moon on the Virgo-Pisces axis gives us an opportunity to glimpse how this opposition may affect us personally. It is also a great time to remind ourselves that practicing kindness and behaving in a thoughtful manner to all we encounter is no bad thing, because Uranus is the biggest pot-stirrer there is!

Libra, an Air signposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast September 8: Run-Up to Full Moon in Pisces

Botticelli's Mars and VenusFasten your seat belts and hang on to the handrails, because this is going to be a killer week.

It’s hard to name one dominant energy this week, as there are so many things going on astrologically. However, if I had to name one outstanding feature, I’d say it’s the run-up to the Full Moon in Pisces next Monday.

Although we’re still a week away, we’re going to start feeling this potent Full Moon by mid-week. Some of you may feel it even earlier, if you have chart angles or key planets in the mid-degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). The Full Moon will be tightly conjunct Uranus, planet of sudden change and surprise, so there’s no telling what might happen. In situations like this, we can only lamely advise you to expect the unexpected.

As usual, Neith will have more in a day or two in one of her enlightening and increasingly popular lunation reports. In the meantime, let’s have a look at the other significant events happening in the sky this week.

On Monday, Jupiter and Pluto both turn direct. Jupiter has been retrograde since May 9; Pluto, since April 2. Give these two a week or so, and then watch to see what manifests in your life. It could be quite sudden. If you’ve been working toward a certain goal but have been getting only lukewarm results, you may see major movement now, depending on where Jupiter and Pluto are transiting your chart.

Jupiter’s return direct is all the more powerful, since it takes place in a tight trine with Saturn, ruler of manifestation on the physical plane. If you haven’t had a goal in mind, get one now and do some visualization and affirmation work on Monday. The square from Mercury in Libra to Jupiter will help you form intentions. Remember, thoughts are entities.

As if that’s not enough for one day, Mercury conjoins Mars in the middle of all this activity, which could bring an element of anger or impatience to your dealings with others and your approach to life in general. The energy of Mars in Libra can be passive-aggressive, so monitor your words and actions to be sure that you’re saying what you really mean. For example, rather than lashing out at someone because you’re hurt, try just saying, “That hurt,” and take it from there.

The Moon, meanwhile, conjoins Pluto on Monday before entering Capricorn and interacting with Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, all within a five-hour period on Tuesday (roughly 1 to 6 p.m. on the West Coast of the United States). Events during this period should provide you with plenty of clues what to expect as a result of the Jupiter-Saturn trine and also the upcoming Venus-Mars conjunction.

The cosmic lovers finally meet on Thursday, although after the activity early in the week, it’s almost anticlimactic. Hopefully, the dust will settle for a few hours, and you’ll get to enjoy the sweetness of this moment. The image I chose for this week, Botticelli’s Mars and Venus, is in honor of this aspect. There’s a fascinating entry on this painting on Wikipedia. Note especially the comments attributed to philosopher Marsilio Ficino on the capacity of Venus to placate Mars but his inability to master her. That would especially be true of Venus and Mars in Libra!

By Friday, the you-know-what starts hitting the fan, as the Sun opposes erratic Uranus. This is the opening act for the Full Moon, and I can’t even begin to predict how it will manifest.

From Friday through Sunday, Mercury, Venus, and Mars trine Chiron, creating an opening to heal through words, love, and physical intimacy. With everything else that’s going on, we may miss this subtle cue, but if we remain aware of it, we can draw on it to improve our closest relationships. This includes your relationship with yourself.

I am definitely on pins and needles, but I’m trying to muster my courage to handle whatever life throws my way. I wish the same for you, in spades.

Love and blessings,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Venus and Mars, by Sandro Botticelli, c. 1483. National Gallery, London.

Saturday Promo: Two New Reports from Neith

reach out with loveI have come up with two new reports to offer my clients. One addresses those with a single question or issue they wish feedback on called “Quick Question” and the second is a new short synastry report called “Heart of the Matter”.

The “Quick Question” report is my response to those who want one concern answered at length whether the question is about synastry, a specific transit or some aspect of the natal chart. For example, you may be wondering why the person you are seeing doesn’t want to commit but are not yet ready for one of the longer compatibility reports covering all the aspects and both natal charts. Or maybe you are new to astrology and after looking at your natal chart yourself you see a particular pattern you want more information on. Perhaps you want to know more about how the upcoming Saturn in Virgo opposing Uranus in Pisces will affect you. All these questions are the sort best answered by the “Quick Question” report.

My new short compatibility report, “Heart of the Matter”, is one I’ve developed for those who want an affordable yet penetrating look at their relationships. I’m going for identifying the essential factors of what the relationship is about. In this report, I will look at one natal chart of the client’s choice in terms of patterns of relating to another, review how the personal planets interact by sign, identify and discuss the major synastry aspects and the high points of the composite chart if both parties have good complete birth data (date, time and place). At the end of the report I will list all the synastry aspects I see and add a brief comment to those I didn’t address in the main part of the report. This is a great report to help someone decide to pursue a relationship or let go and move on.

To launch these two reports I’m offering an introductory reduced price of $40 US. As with all my written reports I will answer any questions you have after you have received and read your report. I use PayPal and send out invoices when your report is ready, when I receive notice of payment your report will be emailed to you.

Quick Question Report by Neith – $49US

“Heart of the Matter” Synastry Report by Neith – $49US

Ask Real Astrologers: Help, Pluto is crossing my Ascendant!

This week’s question comes from Cooper:

Pluto is crossing my Ascendant and now involved with my first house! Would you please be so kind to give me your take on this most significant configuration!

Libra ponders . . .Neith’s response:

Cooper, this is a transit I’ve undergone, and my experience suggests it will have a deep impact on the way you perceive the world and the way others experience you. Others may feel threatened by what they perceive as your power and launch unexpected attacks embroiling you in power struggles. If you are someone who is naturally assertive, you may find that upgraded to aggressive!

Of course, any planets in your first house will all be conjoined as Pluto crosses them, and this will make you very aware of the deeper levels of meaning of those planets in your life. Please note that you might find yourself obsessing endlessly about the smallest details, too. If Pluto forms squares or oppositions to other natal planets triggering natal aspect patterns, the concerns of the houses those planets are in will be emphasized.

In my experience, supported by other astrologers, the best way to handle Pluto’s tendency to drag us into obsessive behavior is to first accept all facets of our being with as little judgment as possible and second, consciously seek to find your center and practice neutrality. When Pluto conjoined Venus in my first house, I finally found a Tai Chi class and have been practicing it daily ever since. The simple flowing movements have been very helpful for maintaining a quiet mind as well as happier joints.

In general, with Pluto going direct on September 8 in Sagittarius, this question is particularly important because all things Pluto-related will be released from stasis and will demand our attention once more.

Best of luck with this transit, Cooper and if you have more questions, please feel free to ask.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s answer:

Cooper, I agree entirely with Neith, our resident Pluto expert.

What I will add is that the transformation of your personality will take place over several years and that it may be so subtle that you don’t realize it’s happening. Then, one day you may wake up and wonder who that person in the mirror is. That’s because Pluto’s effects take place over time.

Incidentally, because of Pluto’s 248-year orbit, not everyone will experience this transit in a lifetime. Right now, anyone whose Rising sign is between about 27 degrees Sagittarius and 2 degrees Capricorn is feeling the effects, as Pluto is hovering on your Ascendant.

As Neith noted, Pluto returns direct on Monday. The exact degree is 28°30′ Sagittarius. The closer your Ascendant is to this degree, the more powerfully you will experience this event. In fact, as I write, Pluto is stationed in preparation for resuming his forward motion (what it looks like from down here, anyway; obviously planets do not move in reverse orbit). Also, the more closely transiting Pluto is aspecting planets in your natal chart, the more you will feel Pluto’s return direct.

But back to Pluto in the first house … As someone with Pluto-ruled Scorpio on the Midheaven, I have undergone several life changes that almost feel like reincarnating within a single lifetime. Mostly, this has involved my career, as might be expected, since the Midheaven is the cusp of the tenth house, which is the career area of the chart. As you are going through a first-house Pluto transit, you may transform your life entirely. This is not “good” or “bad,” it just is. Life is a process and a cycle. You will feel this more keenly as a result of Pluto’s visit to your first house. It sounds scary, but truly, there is nothing to fear.

I join Neith in wishing you the best of luck. Do keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. Reminder: Please remember to tell us where you’re located!

Ask Our Readers: How Do You Handle Conflict in Relationships?

After writing the post on Libra’s approach to fighting fair, I decided to pursue this topic a little further and see how others feel about this. Maybe you prefer to a more visceral interaction than I, with all my Libra. If so, please tell us about it.

Thus, this week’s question:

How much tolerance do you have for conflict in relationships, and how is this shown in your chart?

I’ll go first:

I believe it’s my Libra Moon-Neptune conjunction making me particularly sensitive to someone yelling harsh words at me. It feels like I’ve been punched in the solar plexus when that has happened. It is having Mars conjunct Mercury in Scorpio that gives me the means to edit my speech before it emerges.

It’s also possible the North Node in Gemini, another air sign, pulls me towards communicating my anger in a more civilized manner. The Sagittarius South Node in my first house is not nearly as good about choosing the right words.

At any rate, that’s what I see in my chart encouraging me to express my feelings, especially anger, in as non-threatening a way as possible.

Libra, an Air signposted by Neith . . .

Musings from a Libra Perspective

Libra by KagayaWith Venus, Mercury, and Mars all now in Libra, this Libra person’s thoughts have turned to the astrology of relationships and what we can do to keep our relationships running smoothly.

I have Chiron conjunct my Libra Sun natally and consequently have given a great deal of thought to how to avoid wounding both my partner and myself. Much of what I’ve learned was done the hard way but not all, thankfully. I actually paid attention to different concepts I came across in books on managing one’s relationships.

One of the keys to a lasting partnership is to choose one’s battles wisely. I have natal Mars in Scorpio square Pluto in Leo, which gives a tendency to bring the nuclear option to the battlefield. Obviously this was not a great idea, so it was necessary to walk away more often than not. In the process I found out that most issues we fight over are minor in the bigger picture, and simply calling a time out for a day or two will usually be enough to let the matter slide. The really important issues – the deal breakers – don’t go away and require a different strategy.

We have so few role models on how to fight fairly. Books, movies, and TV shows all portray couples saying very hurtful things to each other, storming around, sometimes actually being physically abusive, and then making up like none of that happened. We can reprogram ourselves to not go down that road. It’s possible to disagree without saying things like “you are wrong.” If we claim our feelings and use “I” instead of pointing the finger by saying “you,” it is easier to keep anger and resentment from escalating.

Libra is all about equity and justice and, often as not, given to compromise. While we have a strong Libra influence in the sky, it is a good time to take a look and see if we are practicing compromise and fairness in the way we interact with our nearest and dearest. Practicing moderation, another Libra favorite, never hurts either. Another idea I’m personally fond of is attempting to behave in a manner so I’m not running around apologizing all the time. Everyone benefits from hearing a kind word and receiving a thoughtful gesture.

I know I’m such a Libra, but we’re pretty good people on the whole.  :::grin:::

Libra, an Air signposted by Neith . . .