Monthly Archives: December 2008

Saturday Extra: RealAstrologers, a Truly Global Community

Sagittarius is winding down, but the Sun and Mars (the “ego” planets) are still in the sign of the Archer, so I thought this would be a good time to do a little bragging.

As of today, RealAstrologers.com has readers in all 50 states of the United States plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and in 112 countries on six continents! I don’t believe this is any accident. Neith and I have the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Chiron all conjoined in Sagittarius on the Ascendant in our composite chart, Sagittarius being the sign most associated with traveling, foreign contacts, and growth through exposure to other cultures. And while we’ve been in existence for only nine months, today will we will surpass 100,000 page views!

I’ve been keeping a list of where our page views are coming from. Here’s just a small sample:

Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bosnia/Herzegovina
Botswana
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Hong Kong
Iceland
Moldova, Republic of
Palestinian Territory, Occupied Bethlehem
Slovakia
Slovenia

I confess that I’ve had to consult a map a couple of times to know where some of these countries are, and I also had to look up the difference between Slovenia and Slovakia, but that’s how we learn — learning being one of the keywords for Sagittarius.

As we head into the winter holiday season and solstice — be it winter or summer where you live — Neith and I send our love, gratitude and best wishes to our readers all over the world!

Ask Real Astrologers: How Can I Use This Heavy Pluto Transit?

This week’s question comes from Crystal:

Early in 2009, Pluto in the 8th house will oppose my Sun in the 2nd and square my Moon in the 11th. What areas of my life will be affected? And, how what is the best way to use this period positively?

Pat’s response:

Crystal, if you gave us the correct birth information, then Pluto already is in your eighth house and opposite your Sun, and you should know at this point how things are playing out. Remember, Pluto entered Capricorn in January 2008 and remained there for a few months until he went retrograde and slipped back into Sagittarius. He re-entered Capricorn on November 27. So you are in the midst of this powerful transit.

A Sun-Moon square often indicates internal conflicts, and with your Cancer Sun and Aries Moon, my guess is that you run into trouble trying to take care of others as a way of getting what you want and need, and then perhaps become resentful when that doesn’t work. You do not need to apologize for your needs or to try to keep them hidden. Being direct is good, and then you need to let others decide how to respond, whether to give you what you want or not. If they don’t, attempting to manipulate them will only backfire and make you feel worse. I’m not saying that you do this; it’s just a tendency I see with this configuration in your chart.

Pluto is “at home” in the eighth house, since this is the area of the chart he rules. I suspect that you already are going through a personal transformation and will continue to do so as Pluto transits your natal Sun and Moon. The square to your Moon may be especially difficult, as emotionally challenging circumstances may arise in order to help you grow and evolve consciousness. Also remember, with Pluto transits, the point is to learn to relinquish control. So I’m not sure there is really a way you can use this transit; just be aware of its effects.

If it’s any consolation, a lot of us are going through trying emotional times right now as humanity moves toward a higher state of consciousness awareness. You are not alone.

Much love and courage to you.

Libra ponders . . . Neith’s response:

Crystal, there is no doubt this is an important transit for you and will teach you more than you want to know about how you really feel about your friends and family over the next few years.

As Pat noted Pluto entered Capricorn for the first time from mid-January to mid-June this year and you may have gotten hints as to what to expect. With your Sun on the cusp of your second house and Pluto transiting the cusp of your eighth house, your values and personal finances will be highlighted and if you have a 401k or other investments those will be up for review. The square to your eleventh house Moon could find the nature of your friendships and relationships with women in particular undergoing deep changes.

Pluto generally plays nice in your natal chart with an exact sextile to your Mercury giving you a willingness to dig a little deeper than most into the “why’s” of life. Having Pluto conjunct the cusp of your fourth house does suggest powerful family bonds or an occasionally contentious relationship with your family, a theme continued by your natal Sun-Moon square. Pluto’s transit will stir all these issues up too and allow you to deal with them for one and for all. Keep in mind Pluto transits last quite awhile and create lasting changes.

If there is one lesson Pluto teaches us by transit, Crystal, it is about learning to detach one’s self from a specific outcome. In fact the more energy we invest in events unfolding according to our wishes, the less likelihood of that happening. Pluto in Capricorn is beginning the process of teaching everyone about how to do more with less and you may be getting a jump start on finding out what that means to you personally.

Best of luck!

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Ask Our Readers: Crazy Enough For You?

As we approach the Full Moon on December 12, Sun and Mars in Sagittarius are triggering the opposition of Saturn and Uranus — all in mutable signs — creating lots of tension down here on planet Earth.

Because the Sun-Mars conjunction is in my first house, this celestial event is directly affecting my body. Last weekend my overstressed right wrist gave out and I’m wearing one of those ubiquitous carpal tunnel braces most of the time. Saturn is in my tenth house opposing Uranus in my fourth, and both are squaring the Sun-Mars in my first. Between attempting to keep up with my workload, which involves lots of time typing, knitting a sweater for the granddaughter for Xmas and still finding time to walk my dog (a very Sagittarius form of exercise according to Pat), something had to give!

Here’s hoping once we move past the Full Moon and the pressure backs off some, we’ll all be able to catch our collective breath. So how’s it going out there for the rest of you?

posted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast December 8: Mars Square Uranus, Full Moon

Our galaxy Challenging astrological aspects combined with all the rushing around for the holidays make this one of the most intense weeks of the entire year. I’m seeing the effects already, as I’m sure many of you are, too.

Yesterday the boat I was on crashed into the dock. Apparently, something went wrong with the steering, and the captain didn’t realize it until he tried to land and discovered he didn’t have control. A hysterical “hang on!” blared over the speaker system, but there wasn’t enough warning to secure people and possessions.

That is a perfect metaphor for this week. But hopefully my message to “hang on” is not hysterical, and it’s with enough warning to be useful to you.

You may have gotten a taste of things to come last Friday and Saturday, when Mercury and the Moon amplified a mutable T-square. T-squares in the mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces — tend to bring swift and sudden change, and this is all the more true with Uranus recently direct in Pisces. Uranus is the planet associated with unpredictable events, which of course aren’t always bad, but even pleasant surprises can throw us off balance and require us to completely upend our lives.

This week, we get a brief respite on Monday and Tuesday, when the Sun and Mars both will make favorable aspects to Chiron. Both the Sun and Mars are about the ego, and we need healthy egos in order to relate well with others and move through our lives with confidence. When we know ourselves and what’s in our heart, making tough decisions is easier.

After Wednesday, the tension begins building toward Friday’s Full Moon. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Sun and Mars square Uranus. Cautioning you to slow down isn’t going to be much help, because, like the captain of my boat, you may not realize until it’s too late that you’re about to crash, and at that point, the only thing you can do is hang on or try to break your fall. I’m writing metaphorically here, but there are going to be some physical accidents, too. Do try to be mindful, and don’t take any unnecessary risks, especially if Mars and Uranus are transiting sensitive areas of your natal chart.

Friday’s Full Moon occurs in a close square with Saturn and Uranus, which are in opposition for the next couple of years. Neith already has done a thorough report, which is well worth reading again. I tell you, when Neith starts issuing cautions, I sit up and take notice!

Now, one interesting thing she points out is that the Full Moon closes the mutable T-square and makes it a grand cross. This does increase your options for handling whatever is thrown your way. Indeed, I believe that this Full Moon may provide a gateway to a reality shift. That’s why I chose this week’s image, showing our galaxy spinning around the Galactic Core. In Western tropical astrology, the GC is at about 27 degrees Sagittarius, not far from this Full Moon at 21 degrees Gemini-Sag. Even if you don’t intentionally open yourself up to greater possibilities, they may find you all by themselves. That said, the g-force of acceleration could be extremely uncomfortable.

Hang on! And much courage and love to all…

Pat

Image: Artist’s conception of our galaxy, the Milky Way, dominated by two major arms spiraling around the Galactic Core. Photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Full Moon in Gemini, December 12, 2008

Moonlight Night Winter by Maxfield Parrish The chart for the Full Moon on December 12 shows an incredible amount of energy and force contained at this moment in time by a grand cross formed in mutable signs with the Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Gemini, Saturn in Virgo, and Uranus in Pisces, all around 21 degrees.

The key is to be aware that this is all potential energy, not actual, because we are dealing with a stable structure in the grand cross. Unlike a T-square, where the planet at the apex acts as the focal point and shows us the path of least resistance, a grand cross offers no clear outlet but forces consideration of all the avenues on each point. So if you feel like pressure is building and nothing seems to be happening, this is why. Having Mars conjunct the Sun in Sagittarius really does not help, because Sagittarius just naturally loves to be moving and Mars-Sun conjunctions are power generators plus.

However, the Moon in Gemini is always happy to discuss options, Saturn in Virgo is great for making sure all the bases are covered, and Uranus in Pisces is wonderful for thinking outside the box. Overall, this Full Moon offers an opportunity to put together a really great plan, or plans, as the case may be. Another factor to keep in mind is that Saturn is at a virtual standstill for most of December, preparing to station direct on December 31, and this is also putting a damper on initiating action despite the fact no planets are retrograde now. Yes, we may all be extremely frustrated for awhile, so use extra care not to take this out on your nearest and dearest.

As an indicator of things to come, Pluto conjoins Mercury in Capricorn in this chart, supporting all forms of research and digging deeply within to ferret out underlying issues in our lives. This conjunction is excellent for coming up with practical solutions and is also great for keeping us all grounded in reality, something we need help with right now. The waning trine of Jupiter in Capricorn to Saturn in Virgo can offer a modicum of support, but this effect is definitely fading.

There is a waxing conjunction between Venus in humanitarian Aquarius and the North Node in Aquarius that will be exact on December 17. While Venus is rather detached and cool in Aquarius, she still brings kindness and compassion to the table, making this a good time to promote good will to all and an awareness that we are truly citizens of the world and very much interconnected. This is a reminder to offer what support we can to our favorite charities and humanitarian causes, preferably in the form of time.

The Sabian symbol for the Full Moon at 22 Gemini is, dancing couples in a harvest festival, with a keyword GREGARIOUSNESS. This is a lovely symbol illustrating the need to take time for simple pleasures and recognition of our accomplishments as well as renewing our attunement with nature’s cycles and seasons. With the winter solstice almost upon us, this is a perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we wish to travel next.

For the Sun at 22 Sagittarius, the Sabian symbol is, a Chinese laundry, with the keyword SELF-CONTAINMENT. Sagittarius is the sign that most enjoys embracing the richness of diversity while respecting cultural differences. It is important to realize we can draw on those cultural differences as a means of support with no loss of appreciation for the surrounding groups.

As we all struggle with our personal frustrations and the demands of the holiday season, please remember to exercise the gift of Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius, a sense of humor. This is always a great time of year to cultivate one’s appreciation of the absurdity of life on this planet and laugh rather than cry. Remember to practice kindness, because it’s always preferable to avoid doing something in the first place that we’ll need to ask forgiveness for later!

**Please do read Pat’s weekly forecast for this week, December 8, too. With the dynamics in the sky right now, additional perspective can only help.

posted by Neith . . .

Ask Real Astrologers: What the Heck Is Going On Up There?

This week’s question comes from Deanne in Gresham, OR:

Could you please tell me what the heck is going on in the firmament? I tripped and fell last week and broke my arm. It’s in a bad spot — way up near the shoulder joint — so I’m working closely with a physical therapist for the next six weeks until the bone is healed and real therapy can begin. Three weeks before I fell, my husband slipped on the golf course and ripped the patellar tendon completely from his knee cap. He had surgery a few weeks ago and is looking forward to at least four months of healing. On the bright side, we have to support each other in almost everything and are enjoying this strange relationship of mutual dependency. We get a lot of laughs putting on each other’s socks and tying shoes.

Libra ponders . . .
Neith’s response:

Wow! Talk about examples of how the Saturn-Uranus opposition can affect one’s life. Deanne, the trigger in your chart was most likely Saturn (skeletal structure) opposing Uranus (accidents) forming a T-square with your progressed Mars in Gemini in your first house.

This particular opposition represents the conflict between the urge to move quickly and the need for cautious action, and I’m sure there are lots of other people out there who are being thrown off balance and having accidents. Progressed Mars in Gemini is very much given to dashing about, and the Saturn-Uranus opposition put paid to that.

In your husband’s case, Saturn is transiting his first house, Uranus his seventh, and the pair of them is forming a T-square with his natal Uranus in his tenth house. Yup, Saturn really curtailed his ability to move about normally in the world at large and in his career. Uranus transiting his seventh can represent your unexpected injury and the need for the two of you to cooperate to do simple tasks.

One possible way to handle this opposition is creative (Uranus) restructuring (Saturn) of the way we manage those areas of our lives where this ongoing opposition falls, because we’ve got two more years of this opposition to work with. Good Luck!

Pat’s response:

Well, there is certainly more than one way to look at a chart, which is the whole point behind this column!

While I agree with Neith that the Saturn-Uranus opposition is wreaking havoc with many of us, I see the Scorpio-Taurus lunar cycle written all over this one, as well as the eclipse cycle in Aquarius and Leo.

Although the New Moon in Scorpio on October 28 and the Full Moon in Taurus-Scorpio on November 13 do not exactly correspond to the dates of your injuries, they are close enough, and these lunations were the midway point between important eclipses in August 2008 and January/February 2009. The reason I feel that these are driving factors in your situation is that you and your husband represent all four of the fixed signs. You are Taurus with Taurus Rising and Moon in Scorpio, while he is Aquarius with Leo Rising. This is a strongly fixed-sign relationship, and sometimes it takes crises to knock fixed-sign people out of old habits and into healthier ways of living and being.

You are so good-humored to see the absurdity and irony in the situation, but this is right-on astrologically. I have written a lot here and on my personal blog about this eclipse cycle and its unique opportunity for healing, including deep wounds stemming from an ancient separation between male and female. And here you are, joining together through remarkably similar injuries! I’m not sure I’d recommend this as the best means for healing a relationship, but whatever works!

Much love and courage to both of you, and keep us posted on your progress.

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Astrology Poll: How’s Your Eye on the Sky?

Monday’s spectacular alignment of Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon was as much an astronomical phenomenon as an astrological one. That made us stop to think, how much do we as astrologers know or care about astronomy?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Tell us what you think and please check out the wonderful image on this week’s forecast of Venus, Jupiter and the Moon.

Pat

Weekly Forecast December 1: Venus conjunct Jupiter

Venus and Jupiter aligned with the Moon on December 1, 2008 Wow, can you believe it’s December already? I was in Macy’s last week, and the obnoxious Christmas music was blaring. Does that stuff really make people buy more? It just made me want to race out of the store.

As we approach the winter holiday season, there’s growing tension that is going to knock many of us off balance. The change we’ve been wanting may come all at once, at the least convenient and comfortable time. As the old saying goes, watch what you wish for …

This week begins on a quite lovely note, though, with a positive vibe through Wednesday, so take advantage while you can. Venus and Jupiter conjoined early this morning on the West Coast of the United States, and the Moon will conjoin them both later today. We had pea-soup fog here all day yesterday, but it looks like it’s going to stay clear today, so I’m hoping to be able to see the spectacular show this evening. This is such a rare wonder that even astronomers are talking about it. There’s a great article on Space.com, if you’d like to know more.

Astrologically, this is a wonderful occasion for visualizing what you most desire. Go ahead, write a letter to Santa. Seriously, isn’t that the earliest experience with visualization and manifestation that many of us have? A bit simplistic, but it worked a lot of the time, too!

The Moon spends most of Tuesday and Wednesday in upbeat Aquarius, and aside from the little twinges we might get when she conjoins Chiron, the general mood should be friendly and social.

The shift begins subtly on Thursday, when the Moon enters Pisces, and the tension starts to build early Friday when Mercury squares Uranus, which just turned direct last week. If he doesn’t bring swift and sudden news, the Winged Messenger at least will direct your attention to the handwriting on the wall.

We are well past the exact opposition of Saturn and Uranus, which won’t align again until early February. However, as I’ve noted before, we will feel this energy periodically as it is triggered by the lunar cycle and other planetary transits. With the Sun, Mercury, and Mars all in Sagittarius, we are moving toward a T-square in the mutable signs, which generally coincides with rapid change. With Uranus involved and the Moon amplifying its erratic energy, we can expect unpredictable events and upsets. Next week’s Full Moon is a going to be a whopper, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The Sun and Mars conjoin on Friday at 14 degrees Sagittarius. This is a lot of firepower, and you can use it favorably to achieve certain goals, depending on where this conjunction falls in your chart. Still, even positive changes may require you to totally rearrange your life. Mutable signs are pretty good at this. Those of us with a lot of fixed energy in our charts face more of a challenge.

On Saturday, Mercury squares Saturn, with the Moon aspecting Uranus, Mercury, and Saturn. This is a day for heated arguments, so follow the advice that Neith always gives at the end of her lunation posts and try to be kind, no matter how angry you may be. There are ways of expressing your anger without deliberately inflicting wounds on others. As humanity progresses toward higher consciousness, we are becoming more and more aware that when we hurt others, we hurt ourselves.

Later on Saturday, Mercury forms a favorable sextile to Neptune in Aquarius, so if you’ve had a hurtful argument, this is your opportunity to patch things up right away and perhaps break through to higher ground. Sometimes we need to clear the air in order to get to the bottom of a problem.

On Sunday, Venus enters Aquarius, not a sexy sign for her to be in, but she’s friendly and outgoing — nice energy for the start of holiday party season.

Neith will have her Full Moon post up on Saturday or Sunday, so be sure to check back.

Much courage and love to all…

Pat

Image: This incredible photo was taken on December 1 by astronomer Martin Lewicki, who kindly granted permission for us to use it here. Martin is an educator at the Adelaide Planetarium in Austrialia and hosts a website called Astrolab, astronomy for astrologers. (Thanks to Rossa for the lead!)